Document released last week is entitled Settled and pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families.
EU citizens will be able to apply to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.
Key points:
- Applications will be accepted online between 20 March 2019 and 30 June 2021. You can use any kind of device.
- You need proof of identity and UK residence.
- Home Office will check crime databases for any criminal history.
- Application fee will be 65 GBP for those aged 17 and older, 32.50 GBP for those under 16. There are some exceptions.
- Most EU citizens and family members of EU citizens, including spouses, need to apply.
- Exceptions: Irish citizens, those with indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK
- Also the UK has reached separate agreements with Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
- To participate, non-EU-citizens must be spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner or close relation of an EU citizen.
- Those with UK permanent residence document also need to apply.
- Successful applicants will receive either Settled or Pre-settled status, at the sole discretion of the Home Office.
- Settled status generally requires starting to live in the UK by 31 December 2020, and having at least 5 years of continuous residence.
- Those with Settled status can live indefinitely in the UK.
- Those with Pre-settled status can remain in the UK for 5 years from date of acquiring status, can apply for Settled status after that.
- Settled status conveys more rights than does Pre-settled status, particularly with regard to Citizenship.
- There are complicated rules for those under age 21 or permanently incapacitated.
- Unsuccessful applicants may be able to appeal, and can reapply one or more times (paying application fee each time).
Anyone whoi is or might be affected by these rules should read the entire Home Office document.
See also this cheery 27 December tweet from the Home Office:
twitter.com/ukhomeoffice/s...status/1078206349148708865
