EU citizens and their family members may miss out on the opportunity to secure their future in the United Kingdom after Brexit if they don’t apply now.
Today, 30 June 2020 marks one year before the EU Settlement Scheme application deadline of 30 June 2021. So far, there have already been more than 3.6 million applications and, according to internal management figures, more than 3.3 million have now been granted status.
EEA citizens and their family members who have been granted pre-settled or settled status have secured their rights in UK law, ensuring that, whether in four or 40 years’ time, they will have the evidence they need to continue living and working in the UK the country they call home.
The latest detailed official statistics show that the highest number of applications have so far come from Polish (697,900), Romanian (590,100) and Italian (363,600) nationals with more than 3.2 million applications coming from EEA citizens living in England, 180,700 from Scotland, 59,400 from Wales and 59,700 from Northern Ireland.
Minister for Future Borders and Immigration Kevin Foster said: European citizens are our neighbours, colleagues, friends and loved ones. They enrich our culture and play an integral part in our society which is why I’m pleased 3.3 million have already been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme and secured their rights in UK law.
From today, there is one year to apply before the deadline of 30 June 2021 and my message to European citizens and their family members is clear apply now. There is plenty of support available if you have questions or need help applying.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, people have had access to a range of support either online, by email or by telephone to help them apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Last year, the Home Office awarded £9 million funding to 57 charities across the UK who have already helped hundreds of thousands of vulnerable EEA citizens to apply. A further £8 million of funding was announced earlier this year for such work.
Head of Services at The Refugee and Migrant Centre Abbas Baig said: The Refugee and Migrant Centre has engaged with more than 8,500 EU citizens and their family members in the Black Country and Birmingham to help them apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
With only a year left until the deadline, we encourage everyone eligible to apply now to secure their status and feel confident about their future in the United Kingdom after Brexit.
There are over 1,500 Home Office staff working on the EU Settlement Scheme with 250 Settlement Resolution Centre staff in place to provide assistance to applicants with any questions about the scheme or who need help applying.
The EU Settlement Resolution Centre continues to provide support seven days a week by telephone and by email. People can also use the EU Exit ID Document check app to complete the identity stage of their application and we estimate that more than 3.2 million have already done so. A postal route is also available.
EUSS Team Manager at Newport Mind Tom Finney said: Newport Mind Association provides practical EU Settlement Scheme support to vulnerable EU citizens living in Wales.
Working with 20 local Mind organisations, we have broken down barriers and reached out to over 5,000 vulnerable EU citizens living in Wales, including those with poor mental health, victims of domestic abuse and the elderly.
Additional support is available for those who do not have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to apply online through Assisted Digital, which can offer assistance over the telephone.
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