Over one million granted status under EU Settlement Scheme

The Home Office has announced it has granted over one million European nationals and their family members settled or pre-settled status since the EU Settlement Scheme fully launched on 30 March 2019. New statistics up to the end of July show that more than:

• 950,000 have applied from England
• 50,000 from Scotland
• 15,000 from Wales and 
• 12,000 from Northern Ireland

The Home Office EU Settlement Scheme provides eligible EU citizens and their family members a route to living and working in the UK beyond 31 December 2020, when a new immigration system is expected to come into force. 

Applying under the scheme is mandatory for EU citizens and their family members wishing to remain in the UK after Brexit and the deadline to apply depends on whether the UK exits the European Union with a deal or without a deal. 

What will the impact of a deal with the EU be? 

Should the UK leave the EU with a deal, which is now looking increasingly unlikely, EU citizens intending to be the main applicant must arrive in the UK before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. The overall deadline to apply under the Settlement Scheme in the event of a deal is 30 June 2021. Separate rules apply for accompanying family members, depending on whether the relationship was formed before or after the end of the transition period.

What impact will No Deal between the UK and EU have? 

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, which many are now preparing themselves for, EU citizens intending to be the main applicant must enter the UK by Brexit day, currently set for 31 October 2019. The overall deadline to apply under the Scheme in the event of a no deal is 31 December 2020. Separate rules apply for accompanying family members, depending on whether the relationship was formed before or after Brexit. 

What is the EU Settlement Scheme process? 

The application is designed to be an easy three step process. Those resident in the UK for more than five years at the date of application will receive ‘settled status’ (permanent residency/Indefinite Leave to Remain). Those residing in the UK for less than five years will receive ‘pre-settled status’ (Limited Leave to Remain), with the opportunity to apply for settled status once they have resided in the UK for 5 years. 

For more information on the EU Settlement Scheme, please contact Kate Gamester or any member of the Doyle Clayton business immigration team. Please also make contact for further updates on the future immigration system and the impact of Brexit on employing EU/EFTA workers.