The February statistics on applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) have been released.
The big news is that the Home Office began refusing EU Settlement Scheme applications on eligibility grounds and 300 applications have now been refused. The Home Office says most of these are cases where they have been trying for several months to obtain missing evidence or information from the applicant. Those individuals will have a right of appeal, or can just apply again before the deadline on 30 June 2021. However, it is concerning that the refusals are likely to relate to complex cases and have been issued at a time when it is particularly difficult for individuals to get specialist advice.
The number of applications received in February 2020 was 235,800. Overall, the total number of applications received up to 29 February 2020 was more than 3.3 million (3,343,700). As at 29 February 2020 almost 3 million (2,998,300) have been concluded. Of these, 58% were granted settled status and 41% were granted pre-settled status. Of the remaining applications, 19,100 received a withdrawn or void outcome, 6,800 were invalid and 300 were refused.
The Home Office is still accepting applications for settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. However, due to the corona virus crisis, consideration of applications is likely to be delayed.
Applicants should be aware that whilst you can still apply and upload supporting documents via the app/online, if you need to share hard copy documents with the Home Office this is not possible at the moment. Document scanning locations have closed and they are currently not accepting documents by post. But don’t worry, EEA nationals and their families still have over a year to apply as the deadline is not until 30 June 2021.
This article is from the March 2020 issue of Employment and Immigration Law Update, our monthly newsletter for HR professionals. To download the latest issue, please visit the newsletter section of our website. For further information please contact a member of Birketts’ Immigration Team.
The content of this article is for general information only. It is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice. If you require any further information in relation to this article please contact the author in the first instance. Law covered as at March 2020.