EU Nationals and Family
In 2016 the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a historic referendum. This led not only to significant political and economic changes but also challenged the well-established EU-UK freedom of movement.
Freedom of movement of people is a paramount part of the EU immigration policy. In 2016, more than 2.9 million EU nationals lived in the UK, while 2.5 of those people were employed. Such integrity of the UK and EU labour market contributed to both economies and promoted diversity.
The UK government has always recognised the importance of the free movement of EU nationals. As a result, following Brexit, the UK introduced the European Union Settlement Scheme, which allows EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and their family members to continue living in the UK without disruption of their career and private life.
Eligibility Criteria
To meet the requirements, the applicant needs to be either:
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From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and they started living in the UK by 31 December 2020
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The family member of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein who started living in the UK by 31 December 2020
The applicant can also be eligible if they used to have a family member from the EU/EEA/Switzerland who started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 or the applicant is the family member of a British citizen who lived in the EU/EEA/Switzerland and they have lived with them in that country by 31 December 2020. The family member of a ‘frontier worker’ and the family members of a person who is exempt from immigration control are also eligible. Additionally, children in education whose parents are from EU/EEA/Switzerland who used to live and work in the UK can apply for the EUSS as well.
How to Apply.
The deadline for application was 30 June 2021. However, the individual can apply after 30 June 2021 if they were a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss national living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and the family relationship still exists. The individual can also apply, if they show ‘reasonable grounds, such as medical reasons or being the victim of domestic abuse, for why they did not apply by 30 June 2021. It is free to apply for the EUSS.
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