Overview
If you are a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, along with your family, there is a possibility for you to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme and secure your continued residency in the UK. Additionally, if you are a family member of an eligible person from Northern Ireland, you may also be eligible to apply.
The deadline for most individuals to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021.
If you or your family members are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, you can still apply if you or your family member were living in the UK by 31 December 2020. Moreover, you must meet either one of the criteria for a later deadline to apply or provide ‘reasonable grounds’ for not applying by 30 June 2021.
It is also possible to apply if you already hold pre-settled status and now wish to apply for settled status.
There are certain circumstances where you may be able to remain in the UK without applying, such as being an Irish citizen or already possessing indefinite leave to enter or remain.
Upon a successful application, you will be granted either settled status or pre-settled status.
If you’re coming to the UK from Ukraine
If you have a family member residing in the UK, you have the option to apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa, which grants eligibility for work and study in the UK. It’s important to note that both the Ukraine Family Scheme and the EU Settlement Scheme provide the opportunity for employment and education in the UK.
While you can choose which scheme to apply for, it’s advisable to avoid applying to both the Ukraine Family Scheme and the EU Settlement Scheme simultaneously, as it may result in delays in receiving a decision on your application.
If you opt for the Ukraine Family Scheme, you can still apply for the EU Settlement Scheme, if you meet the eligibility criteria, once you have arrived in the UK.
Criteria for later deadlines and ‘reasonable grounds’ for not applying by the deadline
In certain circumstances, it is still possible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme after the 30th of June, 2021 deadline.
For instance, if you are joining a family member who was already living in the UK by the 31st of December, 2020, your deadline will depend on your arrival in the UK, provided that:
- You were their family member by the 31st of December, 2020 (excluding children born or adopted after this date).
- The family relationship remains valid at the time of application.
Additionally, you can apply if you can demonstrate “reasonable grounds” for not applying by the 30th of June, 2021 deadline, such as medical reasons or being a victim of domestic abuse.
To determine if you are still eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme, including more examples of what qualifies as “reasonable grounds” for missing the deadline, you should refer to the official guidance.
It is crucial to note that your rights in the UK will not be protected unless you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme and received a certificate of application. Without this certificate, you will not have access to benefits and services, including free NHS healthcare, the ability to work or study in the UK, or the opportunity to rent a property in England.
How to protect your rights by applying
To safeguard your rights, it is essential to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme and obtain a certificate of application.
Once you have submitted your application and received the certificate of application, your rights will be protected. This protection remains in effect until a decision is made on your application or the outcome of an administrative review or appeal.
Your certificate of application serves as proof of your rights in the UK, including the right to work, rent, claim benefits, and utilize NHS services. You can access and view your certificate online, and you will also receive a physical or electronic copy of the certificate via post or email, depending on your application method.
If you are a joining family member, your rights will be automatically protected for 90 days from your arrival in the UK. However, after this initial 90-day period, your automatic temporary protection will cease. To continue accessing your rights in the UK, you will need to demonstrate that you have submitted an application to the EU Settlement Scheme.
You’ll usually get 28 days to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once Immigration Enforcement have contacted you.
If you already have pre-settled status
If you currently hold pre-settled status granted through the EU Settlement Scheme, it is important to apply for settled status before your pre-settled status expires. Settled status provides the opportunity to remain in the UK indefinitely, and after holding settled status for 12 months, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship.
If you are awaiting a decision on your application, you will receive a certificate of application. This certificate outlines the permissible uses while you are awaiting a decision, such as using it as evidence of your right to work in the UK.
Fees
Applying to the EU Settlement Scheme is free of charge; there are no fees associated with the application process.