Management Information Sheet

Brexit - Update on EU Nationals' Settlement Status Applications

MI Sheet TypeAction
To Be Completed By: 28/02/2019
MI Number:11/19
Publication Date:25/01/2019 12:00:00
LA Contact:Carole Human (01603 223075)
Audience:Headteacher, School Business Manager, Administrator

Brexit - Update on EU Nationals' Settlement Status Applications

Background

The UK government has committed to safeguarding the rights of EU citizens and family currently residing in the UK. These rights include but are not limited to, the right live, work and access public services. To retain these rights, EU citizens except for Irish citizens or citizens with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) must apply for immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Settled status will be granted to EU nationals who have 5 years continuous residence. For those who do not have this, pre-settled status will be conferred. 'Pre-settled' individuals will need to reapply once they have resided for 5 years and be granted full settled status.

Update

On 21 January 2019, the Government announced that the test phase of the process for EU National settlement applications was open and that applications could begin immediately. EU citizens living in the UK who have a valid passport as well as their non-EU citizen family members who hold a valid biometric residence card can take part in a public test phase of the EU Settlement Scheme. The scheme opens fully by 30 March 2019 with a deadline of 30 June 2021. This deadline assumes the implementation of an exit deal and if no such deal can be agreed upon, the deadline will be 31 December 2020 as this is the end of the transition phase of Brexit wherein the free movement of people will end.

It was also announced that the fee (£65) that accompanied applications would be scrapped, and individuals who apply will not face a charge from 30 March. Individuals who have already applied - and paid the fee - will have it refunded, as will those people who apply during the test phase as the fee will still need to be submitted to complete applications submitted during this time.

Talks regarding EEA and Swiss nationals are progressing, and it is hoped that from the exit date (31 March) they will also follow this system to gain settled status, but currently they are not able to apply in the trial.

Action Required

You must make yourself aware of any employees who will be affected by Brexit, specifically employees who are EU Nationals. If you are unsure, from 28 January 2019 there is a free online Right to Work Checking Service. Please encourage any such employees to engage with the scheme and apply as soon as they are able and ensure that they know you are there to support them through what is a very turbulent period. To apply, employees will need to be able to provide a current passport as national ID cards will not be accepted. The application can only currently be done on the Home Office 'EU Exit: ID Document Check' app, which is exclusive to Android. From 31 March onwards, it will be possible to apply from any device however the ID scan part of the application can only be done digitally with an Android device; other users will need to submit their ID in the post.

Please share as much information and support with any affected employees as you can, including all the resources on this page. Updates are available through the Government's email alerts system.

Your HR provider can offer more information.

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