EU Settlement Scheme

30 June 2021 was the deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020.

Changes from 1 July 2021

From Thursday 1 July 2021, EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, and their family members, are required to obtain a valid UK immigration status to be in the UK, or a valid visa.

Anyone without EU Settlement Scheme is now required to enter the UK on a passport, not a national ID card. If you enter the UK without visa you will automatically be given a Standard Visitor visa.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can expect to be asked to show their digital status to prove their right to work or their right to rent to landlords in England. Other departments, including the NHS, will have automatic access to their status to check a person's eligibility for free healthcare, benefits, and access to public funds.

The UK Government has published a useful factsheet highlighting your rights and what support is available. Download the factsheet

Pending applications

Anyone who made an application by the 30 June 2021 deadline will have their existing rights protected, pending the outcome of their application. Applicants are issued with a Certificate of Application, which can be relied on to evidence their rights.

Their Certificate of Application will be available in their view and prove account or will be sent to them by post. Landlords and employers can also use the Home Office view and prove service to confirm protected rights for an individual.

The Home Office will contact any applicant where they need further information to progress their application.

Reasonable grounds for late applications

Late applications can be made to the EUSS by EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 and who were not able to apply by the deadline, and they should do so as soon as possible.

The UK Government has published non-exhaustive guidance on reasonable grounds for missing the deadline on GOV.UK. This sets out a wide range of circumstances which are reasonable grounds for a late application, including, but not limited to:

• Where a parent, guardian or local authority has failed to apply on behalf of a child.
• Where a person has or had a serious medical condition, which meant they were unable to apply by the relevant deadline.
• If someone is a victim of modern slavery or is in an abusive relationship.
• Someone who is isolated, vulnerable or did not have the digital skills to access the application process.
• Where a person was unable to apply by the relevant deadline for compelling practical or compassionate reasons

Late applications should be made online at www.gov.uk/eusettlementscheme as soon as possible.

Help is still available

The Home Office will continue to ensure that the EUSS is accessible and supports vulnerable applicants with flexibility and sensitivity. Protecting the rights of vulnerable citizens is a fundamental principle of the EUSS. The grant-funded network of 72 charities and local authorities across the UK will continue to support vulnerable and hard to reach applicants at least until the end of September 2021.

Find organisations that offer support in your area

Important information

The UK Government has published a new guide for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens on viewing and proving their immigration status (eVisa). The guide explains how people can view and prove their immigration status and update their details, what they should expect when crossing the UK border, and how to get help accessing their immigration status.

It is important that EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members keep their personal details up to date and inform the Home Office if their travel document changes, using the view and prove service.

Please contact internationalsupport@solent.ac.uk for further information or visit the UKCISA website.