Britain withdrew from the European Union on January 31 last year, but EU citizens who legally and habitually settled in the country until the end of 2020, at the end of an eleven-month transition period after Britain’s membership of the European Union (Brexit), can still stay in the country. while retaining all their acquired rights. However, they must apply for an indefinite residence permit, a status that is created under an official legal name. The application deadline is 30 June (Wednesday) for EU citizens who have settled in the UK by 31 December 2020.
Established status is essential to enable eligible EU citizens to work and study in the UK under the same conditions from 1 July, and to access the services and other benefits of the UK’s free healthcare system. Everyone will receive an official certificate of application and this certificate can be used to prove their entitlement for the period leading up to the assessment.
Flags of the European Union and Great Britain.
Photo: JAKUB PORZYCKI/NurPhoto via AFP
EU nationals who meet the requirements in all respects but miss the deadline on Wednesday will still have the opportunity to apply, but will have good reason to explain why they have applied after the deadline, and UK authorities will decide on a case-by-case basis. Close relatives of EU citizens living abroad in the UK before December 31 last year can apply at any time to join their family members living in the UK.
However, as of January 1, 2021, entrants from the EU and non-EU countries are already subject to other immigration regulations, which essentially apply a system of registration criteria based on qualifications and English language skills to assess incorporation applications, regardless of where the applicant is from.
According to the Home Office’s latest summary, 5,605,800 of the 27 EU citizens living in Britain had applied for settled status by May 31, with UK authorities rejecting only 2 per cent of applications already processed by the end of last month. (MTI)
