Residency deadline approaching for EU citizens in event of Brexit no deal

Latest figures released by the Home Office show that 8,610 EU citizens living in the Highlands have applied for settled status.

This is a rise of 670 since the last quarterly figure of 7,940 which related to the end of June 2020.

Councillor Alasdair Christie, chairman of the Highland Community Planning Partnership Board, said: “We welcome each and every EU citizen who has already applied for EU settled status and encourage those who are yet to apply to do so before the deadline.

"EU Citizens have made a positive contribution to the Highland area and we welcome the fact that so many have chosen to remain here.

"We want you to stay, prosper, raise your families and be part of all that Highland has to offer.”

The application process is relatively straight forward.

An applicant provides the relevant detail through an app and the Home Office make a decision on whether they are granted settled status – resident in UK for 5 or more years – or pre-settled status for those resident in UK for fewer than five years).

Both allow the applicant the same rights.

David Oxley, Director of Business Growth at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “While it is not possible to put an accurate figure on the numbers of EU nationals living in the Highlands, a high percentage work in the Highlands and Islands in permanent staff roles, many employed mainly by larger firms and in the tourism and food and drink industries.

"We are encouraged that so many have chosen to remain and would urge others to do so before the deadline.”

EU citizens have until 30 June 2021 to apply or 31 December 2020 in the event of a no deal.

The EU Settlement Scheme was put in place as a consequence of the UK leaving the EU and there is a requirement for EU citizens and their family members including children to apply to the scheme in order to stay in the UK post Brexit.

Successful applications to the scheme will allow people to continue to be able to:

• work in the UK

• use the NHS for free

• enrol in education or continue studying

• access public funds such as benefits and pensions, if you’re eligible for them; and

• travel in and out of the UK

More information on the EUSS can be found here

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