The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application deadline is fast approaching; EU, EEA and Swiss nationals (and their eligible family members) who arrived in the UK by 31 December 2020 need to apply to the EUSS by 30 June 2021 if they wish to remain in the UK beyond that date.
Those who have 5 years of continuous residence in the UK at the time of their application can apply for settled status, while those who have not been continuously resident for 5 years are eligible to apply for pre-settled status.
According to the latest statistics, just under 5 million (4,977,740) applications had been concluded up to 31 March 2021. Out of this, 53% received settled status, 44% were granted pre-settled status and 3% of the applications were refused, withdrawn or void, or invalid.
SUPPORTING EU NATIONALS
A group of organisations in Wales, supported by the Welsh Government and the Home Office, have been working hard since the schemed opened, to support people with their EUSS applications, as well as reaching out to communities to raise awareness of the scheme. The Covid-19 pandemic has posed numerous challenges to those that need to apply as well as the supporting organisations whose activities had to be limited due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Although the main application deadline is 30 June 2021, people with reasonable grounds for applying late will have the opportunity to apply after this date. The scheme will also remain open for those granted pre-settled status, who will have to apply to the EUSS once they have achieved 5 years of continuous residence, to upgrade to settled status.
If you know someone who may need to apply to the scheme and has not made their application yet, please signpost them to the free support offered by the EUSS support and advice providers, who will be jointly running two webinars about the scheme on 16 June and on 24 June, between 1 pm and 2 pm. Further details about the information sessions are available here.