The UK has now received more than two million applications from EU citizens applying for Settlement Status in the UK.
The EU Settlement Scheme is designed to make it straightforward for EU citizens and their family members to stay in Britain after the UK leaves the EU.
To apply EU citizens only need to complete three key steps – prove their identity, show that they live in the UK and declare any criminal convictions. EU citizens and their family members have until at least December 2020 to apply.
According to the latest official statistics on the EU Settlement Scheme, more than 1,800,000 applications had been received and more than 1,500,000 had been granted status up to the end of September 2019, providing the applicants with an immigration status under UK law.
The statistics also show that more than 1,700,000 applications had been received from EU citizens in England, 92,700 from Scotland, 29,300 from Wales and 28,700 from Northern Ireland. The highest number of applications are from Polish, Romanian and Italian citizens, with more than 345,000 Polish citizens applying.
“EU citizens have made a huge contribution to this country and will play a key role in cementing Britain’s status as an outward-looking, global leader after Brexit,” said Home Secretary Priti Patel.
“That is why I am thrilled that we have had 2 million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme so that EU citizens can secure their immigration status under UK law.”
To help raise awareness of the EU Settlement Scheme at a local level, the Home Office is holding a series of innovative pop-up events across the UK where staff will answer questions and help people to apply in person.
Home Office Minister Brandon Lewis attended the launch in Great Yarmouth on Friday 6 September 2019 and future events are planned for Aberdeen, Glasgow, Tower Hamlets, Nottingham, Leeds and Birmingham.
The Home Office will also be launching further advertising activity in the coming weeks to build upon its existing £4 million marketing campaign to encourage EU citizens to apply.
“EU citizens are our friends, family and neighbours and we want them to stay,” said Lewis. “It is fantastic news that there have been two million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme.”
Article published 11th October 2019