Still time for late EU Settlement Scheme applications
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can still make late applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) if they have reasonable grounds for missing June 30th deadline.
The scheme, which is part of the UK’s new post-Brexit immigration system, offers citizens of the 27 EU member states, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, the right to keep living and working in the UK as they did when the country was part of the EU.
All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, should apply without delay.
Apply to the scheme to continue to work, study, access free healthcare and benefits in the UK.
In line with the Citizens’ Rights Agreements, there remains scope for a person eligible for status under the EUSS to make a late application to the scheme where there are reasonable grounds for their having missed the deadline.
A non-exhaustive guidance on reasonable grounds for missing the deadline has been published by the Home Office is available to view here.
Where a person did not apply before the deadline, they must make a valid application online or on the relevant paper application form – and provide information with the application setting out their grounds for applying late.
The Leader, Cllr Huw David said: “This is an urgent call to all those who are eligible to apply who have reasonable grounds for missing the June 30th deadline to apply now and not to delay.
“An application to the EU Settlement Scheme secures your existing rights in UK law until you’re granted a status.
“Thousands of applicants have already been granted settled status in Bridgend County Borough and hundreds of applicants granted pre-settled status, depending on how long they have lived here.”
If you need free, independent and confidential support applying for Settled or Pre-Settled Status, a number of services are available (External link – Opens in a new tab or window) for anyone to access from community partners, including Citizens Advice, Mind Cymru, Newfields Law, Settled and TGP Cymru.
To check if you need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, visit the UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme webpage. If you need to apply, each family member must complete an application. This includes children and anyone under the age of 21.
Vulnerable residents can get help with their applications by visiting the EUSS support webpage.
Statistics show there were 6.02 million applications made to the scheme by June 30th with 5.1 million grants of statues.
The surge in applications, including more than 400,000 in June alone, means that there are around 570,000 pending applications and the Government has repeatedly assured those who applied before the deadline that they will have their rights protected until their application is decided, as set out in law, and they have the means to prove their protected rights if needed.
