Deadline fast approaching for applications to EU Settlement Scheme
People from the EU who wish to remain in the UK are being reminded that they need to obtain settled or pre-settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme before the deadline on 30 June 2021. From 1 July 2021, EU citizens may be asked to prove their right to do things like get a job, rent a house, study or use the NHS. Those with settled or pre-settled status will retain the right to do these things. People from the EU, EEA (Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland), Switzerland, plus non-British family members of citizens of these countries need to apply to the scheme before the deadline. To be eligible they need to have arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020. Irish citizens do not need to apply to the Settlement Scheme but their non-British family members will need settled or pre-settled status to remain in the UK. Applying to the scheme is free and can be done online at: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families. Without the correct status, people could lose the right to live and work in the UK once the deadline is passed. Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities at Staffordshire County Council said: “It is really important for EU citizens who wish to continue living and working in the UK to apply for the Settlement Scheme before the deadline. “The decision to leave the EU means that the UK are no longer bound by EU rules on freedom of movement, which has brought EU citizens into the UK immigration system for the first time. “People can apply for the status online and there is help and support available from Citizens Advice for anyone having difficulties doing so.” Anyone having difficulty applying for the scheme should visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/applying-for-settled-status/