EU citizens and their families in Southampton can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme ahead of the official start date on March 30 as part of a limited pilot in the city.

 

Because of Brexit, EU nationals and their families who want to live and work in the country beyond June 2021 will have to apply to the scheme.

The Home Office is currently testing the EU Settlement Scheme through a series of pilots ahead of the public launch at the end of March.

The council says Southampton is one of only 12 local authorities participating in the second pilot phase of the scheme for those applying for pre-settled status. It offers an early opportunity to residents who are EU citizens to register their intention to apply for settled status.

Cabinet member for transport and public realm, Cllr Jacqui Rayment, right, said: “It’s fantastic that Southampton has been chosen as one of only a small number of local authorities who are piloting this scheme.

“We’re aware that the current situation could cause concern for some of the EU citizens that are living in Southampton. The EU Settlement scheme is a really straightforward process and our documentation verification service that the Registration Services team are providing makes the process even easier to complete.”

The council says it can support applications by scanning and officially verifying your passport or biometric residence permit for you, before you apply online.

Details can be found on the council website and residents can apply by calling 023 8091 5327 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On Monday (Jan 21) Theresa May, left, said: “The government will waive the application fee so that there is no financial barrier for any EU nationals who wish to stay. And anyone who has or will apply during the pilot phase will have their fee reimbursed.”

The fee was going to be £65 for adults and £32.50 for children.

Campaigners have said that the government will “struggle to register all of the EU citizens who want to stay in Britain post-Brexit within the next two years”, according to The Guardian. “Rights groups had earlier said the Home Office risked creating a new Windrush scandal if it got the scheme wrong,” the paper reported.

But according to the Evening Standard, “a trial of 30,000 people saw two-thirds of applications approved within three days, whilst 81 per cent were approved within a week”.

Links
EU Settlement Scheme – Southampton City Council webpage
Government web page on EU Settlement Scheme

In the news
What is the EU Settlement Scheme? How to apply for settled status in the UK after Brexit – Evening Standard
Home Office may struggle to register EU settlers in time, say campaigners – Guardian

Brexit image in the public domain by freestocks.org
Theresa May image under CC2 by Tiocfaidh ár lá 1916