EU Settlement Scheme
Are you an EU, EEA and Swiss Citizen who started living in the UK before 31st December 2020? Are you seeking to continue living in the UK after 30th June 2021?
You can now apply to continue living in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme if you satisfy the necessary criteria. The deadline to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme is 30th June 2021.
If your Application under the EU Settlement Scheme is successful, you will be granted with either Settled or Pre-Settled status. You will be able to continue living and working in the UK after 30th June 2021.
EU/EEA nationals in the UK who already hold Permanent Residence or a Residence Permit
It is important to note that EU/EEA nationals in the UK who already hold Permanent Residence or Residence Permits must also re-apply under the EU Settlement/Pre-settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021 in order to continue lawfully living in the UK after that date. This is because there is a new electronic Home Office Settlement Scheme system and the status of EU/EEA nationals and their families (whether EU or non-EU) must be recorded on the new system. Alternatively, if eligible, they can apply for citizenship before 30 June 2021.
Non-EU/EEA Family members of EU/EEA nationals currently living in the UK
Family members of EU/EEA nationals who arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020, and who intend to stay in the UK, must also apply for pre-Settled Status or Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021 in order to continue lawfully living in the UK after that date. This is required even if you have a valid Residence Permit BRP Card which you obtained under the EU regulations prior to Brexit. This is because there is a new electronic Home Office Settlement Scheme system and the status of EU nationals and their families (whether EU or non-EU) must be recorded on the new system. Alternatively, if eligible, they can apply for citizenship before 30 June 2021.
Permanent Residence Permit/Document
If you’re from the EU, EEA or Switzerland your Permanent Residence document will state ‘Document Certifying Permanent Residence’.
If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, your Biometric Residence Card will state ‘Permanent Residence Status’.
A valid ‘UK Permanent Residence document’ is either:
- a certificate inside your blue ‘residence documentation’ booklet (or pink if you are a Swiss national)
- a certificate inside your passport
- a biometric residence card confirming permanent residence (only if you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen)
INTERESTED TO FIND OUT MORE?
Our immigration lawyers can work with you throughout the lifecycle of your Application under the EU Settlement Scheme, ensuring that you are in a position to successfully satisfy the necessary requirements to attain Settled or Pre-Settled Status in the UK.
Garth Coates Solicitors is one of London’s most respected immigration law firms. Our founding partner, Garth Coates, spent many years working in the Home Office as an Immigration Caseworker. This experience has given him a unique understanding as to what immigration decision-makers are looking for when approving Visa Applications.
WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY UNDER THE EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME?
In order to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme, you must be an EU, EEA, Swiss Citizen or the family member of an eligible person in Northern Ireland. You must have started living in the UK before 31st December 2020.
However, you can also apply if you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss Citizen if:
- You are the family member of an EU, EEA, or Swiss Citizen;
- You are the family member of a British Citizen and you have lived together outside the UK in an EEA country ;
- You are the family member of a British Citizen who also had EU, EEA or Swiss Citizenship before getting British Citizenship;
- You are the primary carer of a British, EU, EEA or Swiss Citizen;
- You are the child of an EU, EEA, or Swiss Citizen who used to live and work in the UK, or the child’s primary carer.
You will need to prove your identity and your residence in the UK when you apply under the EU Settlement Scheme. If you are not from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you must provide proof of your relationship to your family member from the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF APPLYING UNDER THE EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME?
If you have lived in the UK for a continuous 5-year period, you will be able to attain Settled Status in the UK. You can stay in the UK as long as you wish if you have Settled Status. You will also be able to apply for British Citizenship after 12 months.
If you have not lived in the UK for a continuous 5-year period, you will attain Pre-Settled Status. Once you have lived in the UK continuously for 5 years, you will be able to apply for Settled Status.
If you have Settled or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you will be able to:
- Work in the UK;
- Have free access to the NHS;
- Enrol in education or study in the UK;
- Access public funds (e.g.: pensions);
- Travel in and out of the UK
Established in 2008, Garth Coates Solicitors is a leading Immigration Law Firm that can provide professional legal advice to ensure that your Application satisfies the strict requirements of the Immigration Rules.
Our team of legal professionals offers comprehensive and considered advice to enable our clients to make informed choices. We strongly believe that our clients deserve the best; we take our responsibilities very seriously to ensure that client satisfaction is achieved by providing a professional yet friendly legal service. We aim to resolve all immigration matters brought to us by working diligently and together with our clients, keeping them informed of the progress of their case at all stages. Our outstanding success rate is maintained thanks to the high standard of our work.
If you would like us to assist you with your Immigration Matter, kindly click here to leave us an Enquiry. Alternatively, we can be reached via telephone at (00 44) (0)20 7799 1600 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (UTC+00.00 London) every Monday to Friday.
