EU residents urged to apply as soon as possible to the EU Settlement Scheme

EU residents, living in the UK, are being urged to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme as soon as possible, before the deadline of 30 June 2021. This applies to all EU citizens living and working in the UK. If you are unsure whether you need to apply, it is important to check. This can be done online at: www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/communityandliving/euexit/

Under the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement following the Brexit vote in 2016, the vast majority of EU citizens living in Newark and Sherwood must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Those who fail to apply, barring some exceptions, will lose their legal rights to live and work in the UK and will become unlawful residents and in breach of UK immigration laws.

The process is designed to be simple and easily accessible but it is absolutely vital that every person, that’s all EU residents living in the UK, apply as soon as possible.

Under the EU Settlement Scheme, which is free to apply to, applicants who have lived in the UK for five years or more will be granted ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’, also known as ‘Settled Status’ which means they can continue to live in the UK as they currently are.

Those with less than five years residency will be granted ‘Limited Leave to Remain’, also known as ‘Pre-Settled Status’ which is a grant of limited leave to remain for five years. With pre settled status you can continue to live, work and study in the UK after 30 June 2021, although this permission is effectively limited to a period of five years from the date you are granted your status. You can then apply to change this to settled status once you’ve got 5 years’ continuous residence. You must do this before your pre-settled status expires.

To apply visit: www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status

The Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, Councillor David Lloyd, said: “We encourage any EU resident in the Newark and Sherwood area to check their eligibility to stay in the UK and to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme as soon as possible. 

“Many residents across Newark and Sherwood may feel that they don’t need to apply because, for example, they may have married into a British family, but that is not the case.  It is absolutely vital that any EU citizen uses the online checker, so please do check.”

“If you do then need to apply, the form offers step by step instructions to complete.  Settled status will give many of our neighbours much needed reassurance and the safety net needed at this time.”

If any resident needs any support filling out the application Sherwood and Newark Citizens Advice can offer support and guidance. The team can be contacted by phone on 01623 861769 or email at advice@sn-ca.org.uk

Newark and Sherwood District Council will be running an awareness campaign, regarding the EU settlement scheme to engage with EU citizens and encourage them to check their eligibility and then complete an application where required. This campaign will run until the 30 June deadline and will include providing information in the most common EU languages spoken in our district.  These will be available shortly online at www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/communityandliving/euexit/