The Home Office have today released a statement reassuring EU citizens and their families of their entitlements in the UK further to reports that free movement will end when the UK leaves the EU – which as things stand could happen on 31 October 2019. The statement confirms that EU citizens who have not applied to register with the scheme by 31 October 2019 will still have the same entitlements to work, benefits and services as they do now. As confirmed previously by the Home Office, applications can be made under the scheme up until 31 December 2020 (if there is a no-deal exit) and 30 June 2021 (if the UK exits with an agreement). The full statement can be seen below:
‘Update on the EU Settlement Scheme
There have been reports in the media and on social media regarding plans to end freedom of movement after we leave the EU, as well as what this means for EU citizens resident in the UK.
We want to reassure all EU citizens and their family members in the UK that you still have until at least 31 December 2020 to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, even in the event of a no-deal exit. Furthermore, if someone who is eligible for status is not in the UK when we leave the EU, they will still be free to enter the UK as they are now.
Those who have not yet applied to the EU Settlement Scheme by 31 October 2019 will still have the same entitlements to work, benefits and services. Those rights will not change. EU citizens will continue to be able to prove their rights to access these benefits and services in the same way as they do now’.
Gherson have extensive experience with applications under the EU Settlement Scheme. If you have any questions or queries relating to such applications, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
©Gherson 2019
Immigration Consultant in our corporate team
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