On 31 January 2020 at 11 p.m., the United Kingdom formally exited the European Union and started a transition phase that would finish on 31 December 2020. EU citizens may continue to exercise their freedom of movement rights in the UK as they did before Brexit throughout this transition period. EU, EEA, and Swiss residents residing in the UK will retain their current rights and status until 30 June 2021. EU nationals and their family members wishing to stay in the UK after 30 June 2021 must apply for immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). EU residents and family members who can demonstrate residency in the UK for five years or more will be awarded established status, while those who have been here for less than five years would be granted pre-settled status.
Eligibility criteria for the EU’s settled status program
EU residents and any non-EU family members who arrived before 31 December 2020 and have been continuously living in the UK for five years at the time of application will be eligible for settled status, which will allow them to remain forever.
Unresolved status
EU residents and family members who arrive by 31 December 2020 but have not yet lived in the country continuously for five years at the time of application will be eligible for “pre-settled status.” This permits them to remain in the country until they reach the five-year mark and then apply for established status.
EU Settlement Scheme: Rights and Benefits
EU citizens and their families will be eligible for the following benefits if they are given established or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Programme.
Work in the United Kingdom
Utilize the NHS for free as you now do.
Enroll in school or further your studies
Utilize public monies, such as benefits and pensions, if you qualify.
Travel inside and beyond the United Kingdom
Additionally, the EU Settlement Programme permits close family members residing abroad (a spouse, civil partner, durable partner, dependent child or grandchild, and dependent parent or grandparent) to join their EU citizen sponsor in the UK after 31 December 2020, providing the connection existed on that day. While the application deadline is 30 June 2021, it is strongly advised that everyone apply by 31 December 2020 to guarantee they can demonstrate they lived in the UK prior to that date. The application is free, and applicants may download the EU Exit: ID Document Check application to start the ID verification procedure and then submit supporting papers electronically or by mail.