Immigration update – EU Settlement Scheme
25 January 2019
On 21 January 2019, Theresa May announced that the Government will waive the £65 fee for applications under the EU Settlement Scheme. This is good news for EU nationals and for any employers who had previously agreed to meet this cost.
Mrs May confirmed that the fee will be removed when the scheme opens fully on 30 March 2019. Meanwhile anyone who pays/has paid the fee during the pilot phases will be reimbursed.
No mention was made of the application fee for permanent residence cards. Previously individuals who held these cards were exempt from paying the settled status fee. At this time it seems unlikely that they will be reimbursed, but this may be subject to further discussion in Parliament.
The latest pilot phase of the scheme is now open, with EU nationals able to submit applications for settled or pre-settled status using the passport scanning app. An android phone is required to download the app.
The scheme is due to be fully rolled out from 30 March 2019. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, EU nationals and their non-EU citizen family members will have until 30 December 2020 to apply.
For further guidance on the scheme, please see our previous FAQs.
Birketts is supporting employers with seminars for their EEA national staff, to explain what they need to do and what other options they may have to secure their status in the UK. If you would like to discuss a seminar at your workplace, please contact a member of our Immigration Team.
For further information please contact a member of our Immigration Team.
This article is from the January 2019 issue of Employment Law Update, our monthly newsletter on employment legislation and regulation. To download the latest issue, please visit the newsletter section of our website. Law covered as at January 2019.
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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 January 2019.