EUSS Deadline - THOMAS CHASE IMMIGRATION

Are you an EEA national? Family member of an EEA national? Living in the UK and wish to remain long term. With the EUSS deadline fast approaching, you need to read this blog post.

Background

If you are a national from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, or the family member of an EEA or Swiss national living in the UK, then you may need to take immediate action.

If you would like assistance with protecting your status in the UK, or if you have any questions, contact us now at info@thomaschaseimmigration.com or on +44 (0) 203 488 1061.

Who needs to apply?

EEA nationals, Swiss nationals and their qualifying family members must apply for status to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) by the published deadline of 30 June 2021. This includes non-EEA national family members and children.

You may have lived in the UK for several years, and even had your permanent residence certified by UKVI. Nevertheless, you must apply to the scheme by the EUSS deadline.

Do Irish nationals need to apply?

No. Irish nationals are not required to apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Why do I need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme?

If you are EEA national, Swiss national or non-EEA qualifying family member of a Swiss or EEA national, applying for status by the EUSS deadline will allow you to continue your rights of residence in the UK after 1 July 2021. That includes, working and studying, if applicable, and status will also mean that you may continue utilising public services and public funds, and your route to British citizenship.

Which family members are eligible?

EEA family members are eligible to status. Non-EEA and non- Swiss national family members spouses and civil partners, unmarried partners, dependent children, grandchildren, parents, and grandparents must also apply for stats by the EUSS deadline.

Again, children must also apply to the Scheme to protect their rights to live and attend school or college in the UK from 1 July 2021.

How do I apply for status to the EU Settlement Scheme?

Applications may be made online. You will need to verify your identity and provide a recent digital photograph.

Further, you will be required to submit evidence of your residence in the UK prior to 11om on 31 December 2020 and confirm that you meet the criminality requirement. Please note that what UKVI deems as serious or persistent criminality may adversely impact the application. Making the application at the earliest opportunity and seeking assistance can prove beneficial.

There are some exceptions to the online application process. They are:

The family members of a British citizen, where the British citizen had exercised their Treaty rights in the EEA or Switzerland.
The family member of British citizen that had exercised their Treaty rights in the UK as an EEA national or Swiss national prior to acquiring British citizenship.
A non-EEA or non-Swiss national primary carer of an EEA or Swiss national or British national.

If you fall within one of the above, it is prudent to contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre, so that you may acquire the correct form to use.

Is there is fee?

No. Applications for status under the EU Settlement Scheme are free.

What happens if I am successful?

Upon approval of the application under the EU Settlement Scheme, and as long as the application was made before the EUSS deadline, UKVI will confirm your status by way of a letter to your inbox. You will want to retain the letter.

Within the letter, there will be a link to a UKVI portal where you will find digital confirmation of your status.

It is strongly recommended that you keep a screenshot of that information. This information, together with your EEA or Swiss passport or national identity card, may be used by UK institutions and employers to provide your right of residence in the UK.

Non-EEA national and non-Swiss national family members will also be granted a biometric residence permit to prove their identity.

UKVI will either grant you pre-settled status or settled status depending on the information inputted in the application and the supporting document.

What is pre-settled status?

If you are granted pre-settled status, you will be given permission to continue residing in the UK for a limited period of 5 years, after which you may be eligible for settled status or indefinite leave to remain.

If granted settled status, you will have indefinite leave to remain and may be eligible to apply for British citizenship once you meet the nationality requirements, including being free of immigration controls for at least 12 months.

I have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Do I need to do anything else?

Once you have applied for status, and have evidence of this, you need not take any further action until your leave is due to expire, if applicable.

Nevertheless, you have probably received an email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) asking you to apply for pre-settled statis or settled status to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), even if you have already done so. This tends to be a standard email from UKVI.

That said, you will be required to inform UKVI of any key changes. This includes changes to your:

Mobile phone number.
Email address.
Name, after say marriage or a change by deed poll.
Identity documents such as a renewed passport or national identity card.
UK residential address.

Conclusion

Applying for status under the EU Settlement Scheme by the EUSS deadline of 30 June 2021 if critical if you wish to continue residing in the UK from 1 July 2021. The application does not need to be approved by 30 June 2021, though the application must be with UKVI by the deadline.

If you are in aby doubt about the process or your eligibility, an assessment of your and your family member’s prospects of qualifying for status can be most beneficial. We also offer professional immigration assistance with preparing the application for pre-settled or settled status, to help the process go as smoothly as possible.

Written by Carla Thomas – Managing Director at Thomas Chase immigration.

Thomas Chase Immigration offer immigration assistance to individuals and families.

Call to action

If you have questions or concerns or you would like straightforward immigration advice or help with applying for a permission to enter or remain in the UK, feel free to contact us.

Our processes are tried and tested and have proven successful. Yet, we know that each person’s circumstances are different and requires that individual touch when assisting you and when presenting the matter to UKVI.

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