What is the EU Settlement Scheme?

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European Union (EU) citizens and their family members who want to stay in the UK beyond 30 June 2021 will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. The EU Settlement Scheme allows EU citizens and their family members to continue to live, work and study here in the UK. It means they will continue to be eligible for:

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• public services, such as healthcare and schools

• public funds and pensions

• British citizenship, if they want to apply and meet the requirements.

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Who is eligible for the scheme?

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If you are a EU citizen or a non-EU family member of an EU citizen. 

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When does the scheme open?

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The EU Settlement Scheme will open fully by 30 March 2019. EU citizens and their family members will have until 30 June 2021 to apply and their rights will remain unchanged until then, if they are resident in the UK by 31 December 2020. This application deadline will change to 31 December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

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How can I help you?

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Attend one of my surgeries for a one to one meeting to discuss your questions further. If there is anything not covered on this page I'm more than happy to get answers and help where I can.

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The Application Process

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Please note there are three options for ID checking as part of the process:

 

• Send documents away to the Home Office by post

• Make an appointment to have the ID document scanned and verified at a location offering ID scanning. There is one location in Scotland that the UK Government has arranged for accessing ID Document scanning. This is at Registrar’s Office, The Quadrangle, City Chambers, 253 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YP. There is a fee of £14.00 for this service.

• Use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app (available on Android phones only)

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While the preferable option is to use the android app, this is problematic for those that don't have access to an android phone. I have raised this in the Scottish Parliament - you can view the Scottish Governments response here.

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The online application takes a lot longer and requires the applicant’s passport to be sent to the Home Office which could take weeks for it to be returned. The android app is simpler –  it requires downloading the app from the Play Store and the passport details are scanned automatically. After using the app to verify your identity, the rest of the application can either be completed on that device or on any smartphone, laptop or computer. The Home Office suggests that the form takes about twenty minutes to complete.

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