EU Settlement Scheme Late Applications

Although the EU Settlement Scheme deadline of June 30, 2021, has passed, EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens, along with their family members, may still submit a late application if they can provide reasonable grounds for missing the deadline. The UK Home Office will assess each case individually to determine if the reasons are valid.

The EU Settlement Scheme aims to protect the rights of EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals who were residing in the UK before December 31, 2020. If you have not yet applied, taking immediate action is essential to secure your legal status. Seeking professional immigration advice can increase your chances of a successful application.

Late Applications for the EU Settlement Scheme – Important Information

The deadline for most people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme EUSS was 30 June 2021. This deadline does not apply if you already have pre-settled status and you’re applying for settled status.

If you’re joining a family member, your deadline will be based on when you first arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020, as long as:

• the family relationship still exists when you apply
• your family member was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
• you were their family member by 31 December 2020 (this does not apply to children born or adopted after this date)

What is the EU Settlement Scheme?

The EU Settlement Scheme EUSS is a scheme introduced by the UK government following Brexit to protect the rights of European nationals living in the UK. The scheme aims to provide a straightforward process for eligible individuals to confirm their residency status, thus ensuring they can continue to live, work, study, and access benefits in the UK without disruption.

Can I apply for EU Settlement Scheme EUSS after 31 December 2020?

The deadline for most people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you can still apply if you or a family member were living in the UK by 31 December 2020. You must also either:

• meet one of the criteria for a later deadline to apply
• have ‘reasonable grounds’ for not applying by 30 June 2021

Eligibility Criteria for Settled and Pre-Settled Status

Settled Status

Settled status is for individuals who have lived continuously in the UK for five years or more. To meet the residency requirement, applicants must demonstrate continuous residence, meaning they haven’t been absent for more than six months in any 12-month period during these five years. Exceptions may apply for serious reasons like illness, overseas work, or childbirth.

Pre-Settled Status

Pre-settled status is available for individuals who have lived in the UK for less than five years. This status is temporary but essential as it allows individuals to complete their five-year residency period and then apply for settled status. Pre-settled status holders must remember to apply for settled status before their pre-settled status expires.

Get legal help to apply for EU Settlement Scheme EUSS

Our experienced immigration lawyers regulated by OISC can assist you to apply for EU settlement status with affordable fee.

To discuss your EU Settlement Scheme application, you can call our experienced EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) lawyers on 01614644140 or 07827126843. You can book an appointment with our experienced EU settlement scheme lawyers to discuss your immigration matter.

Our services for EU Settlement Scheme EUSS applications

Our highly experienced EU Settlement scheme lawyers can provide legal assistance with the following application:

1. Application for Family Permit under EUSS
2. Apply for Pre-Settled Status under EUSS
3. Apply for Settled Status under EUSS

How to Apply for the EU Settlement Scheme

Applying for the EU Settlement Scheme EUSS is a straightforward process, but ensuring that all information is complete and accurate is critical. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Gather Your Documentation

You will need:

• Proof of Identity: A valid passport or national identity card for EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens.
• Proof of Residence: Documents such as utility bills, bank statements, or tenancy agreements to prove your time in the UK.

Step 2: Use the EU Exit: ID Document Check App

The UK government offers an official app called the EU Exit: ID Document Check app, available on iOS and Android. This app allows you to submit your application details, upload a photo, and scan your identity document.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application

The application form is accessible through the UK government website, and the form will guide you through providing necessary information, including details of your residence and, if applicable, family members.

Step 4: Submit and Wait for Confirmation

Once you submit the application, you will typically receive a decision within 1 to 4 weeks. Successful applicants will be notified by email, and their digital status will be accessible through the UK government’s online portal.

Application Fees and Processing Times For EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

The EU Settlement Scheme is free of charge. Processing times vary based on the applicant’s background and the completeness of their documentation. However, most applications are processed within one month. Complex cases, such as those involving criminal records, may take longer.

Switching from pre-settled status to settled status

If you currently hold pre-settled status, you must apply for settled status before your pre-settled status expires. Here’s how:

• Track Your Residency Period: Ensure that you have completed five continuous years of residence in the UK.
• Gather Updated Documentation: You will need evidence of residence, such as P60s, rental agreements, or other documentation showing continued residence.
• Complete the Online Application: The application for settled status is similar to that for pre-settled status.
• Submit and Await Confirmation: After submitting the application, the processing time can range from two to four weeks.

Maintaining Your Settled Status

If you have pre-settled status, you can usually switch to settled status after you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years in a row. It’s free to apply. It’s easier to prove your right to live in the UK permanently if you have settled status. You can usually apply for British citizenship once you’ve had settled status for 12 months. If you do not switch to settled status, your pre-settled status will be extended by 5 years shortly before it’s due to expire.

For those granted settled status, it is essential to be aware of the conditions to maintain it:

• Time Outside the UK: Settled status holders may leave the UK for up to five years without losing their status. However, extended absences could lead to a loss of this status.
• Permanent Residence: Settled status grants a path to apply for British citizenship, provided you meet specific criteria, such as the residency and good character requirements.

Who has a later deadline to apply

For some people, the deadline of 30 June 2021 does not apply. This is true if you’re one of the following:

• the family member of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein who was living here by 31 December 2020, and had settled or pre-settled status, and you join them in the UK on or after 1 April 2021
• applying for your child, who was born or adopted in the UK on or after 1 April 2021
• the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland, but they could not move back to the UK by 31 December 2020 without you – you must be from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
• exempt from immigration control, or you stopped being exempt from immigration control after 30 June 2021
• here with limited leave to enter or remain in the UK (for example, if you’re here on a work or study visa) which expires after 30 June 2021
• a family member of a British citizen who you lived with in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein – you must have lived with them in that country by 31 December 2020, and returned to the UK with them

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