Britain left the European Union on January 31 last year, but EU citizens who legally and habitually settled in the country until December 31, 2020, at the end of an eleven-month transition period after the end of British membership in the European Union (Brexit), can continue to retain all their acquired rights. However, they had to apply for a residence permit for an indefinite period of time – settled status.
Applications can be submitted to Home Office Immigration and Visas by midnight UK time, primarily on the dedicated online interface or using an application that can also be downloaded on mobile devices.
More than six million
In its first summary on Friday, the department said it had received 6,015,400 applications from EU citizens living in the UK by Wednesday’s deadline, of which 5,446,300 had already been processed by the authorities. In 52 percent of the applications evaluated and approved, applicants were granted permanent applications – that is, without a deadline – and in 43 percent of cases were previously settled.
The latter is available to those who arrived before 31 December 2020 with the intent to establish themselves but have not yet completed five years of lifestyle in the UK at the time of application. They can also wait until the five years have passed and then obtain a final residence permit. In the period up to then, they are also entitled to the full enjoyment of the acquired rights.
According to a briefing given by the ministry on Friday, the UK authorities rejected just 2 per cent of applications for settled status that had already been processed for some reason. 1 percent of applications were withdrawn by applicants, and another 1 percent were found to be invalid.
The number of orders jumped ahead of schedule
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of applications submitted has increased sharply in the period leading up to the deadline. In June alone, more than 400,000 applications were received and about 570,000 settlement applications are still pending. But the ministry stresses that most of the “uncomplicated” cases continue to be resolved within five days.
The information provided by the Ministry confirms that the acquired rights of those who have submitted their applications for settlement status by the deadline but have not yet been notified of the outcome of the assessment will remain in effect until their case is decided. If the application is submitted successfully, everyone will receive an official certificate of the application, this certificate also fully guarantees the rights acquired for the period until the evaluation.
There is also a chance for those who missed the deadline
EU citizens who meet the requirements for UK status in all respects but have missed the midnight deadline of Wednesday will still have the opportunity to apply, but must explain with good reason why they have applied after the deadline and the UK authorities will in such a case, decide on the basis of the assessment Singles whether the application will be accepted.
However, the UK Home Office emphasized in its Friday briefing that judicial authorities are taking a “flexible and pragmatic” approach in such cases as well.
The department also said that benefits for EU citizens who receive social benefits in the UK but who have not submitted their applications for fixed status before the deadline will also not stop with immediate effect.
The Home Office is working closely with the Department of Work and Pensions and the Tax Office to reach out to those who may be eligible to apply for established status but have not yet done so, according to information released Friday.
According to the department, as a general procedure, eligible EU citizens who have not applied for a residence permit and for some reason contact the UK immigration authorities will be given a 28-day delay in submitting their applications and guidance on how to obtain assistance.
