With the Coronavirus pandemic, the Brexit has been pushed aside but did not disappear. The UK left the European Union on the 31st of January and has entered an 11-month transition period. 30th of June is the deadline for extending the transition period.
Very little has changed so far, but this will have far-reaching implications for everyone in the UK.
In the past few months, we have published a series of Brexit tips we thought people will find useful. This post is a collection of those related to Settled Status.
Brexit Tip – Settled status
If you are an EU citizen, make sure to start your settled status application for you and your family. The process may take a while, so starting it soon can be important.
You’ll need one of the following documents: passport, biometric residence card or biometric photo id.
You can use the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app on an Android phone or iPhone 7+ device to scan your document and take photos of yourself.
Details of the application process: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
Important to note that getting settled status is not automatic. Your application goes through an application approval which can result in you getting granted indefinite leave or pre-settled status.
If you get indefinite leave granted you can live and work in the country indefinitely. You can also apply for citizenship 12 months after you’ve got settled status.
Pre-settled status means you can live and work in the country until you have five years of continuous stay then you’ll need to apply for settled status.
What can you do with the settled or pre-settled status?
- You should be able to work in the UK.
- You can use the NHS for free as you do now.
- You can enrol in education or continue studying.
- You’ll have access to benefits and pensions if you’re eligible for them.
- You can travel in and out of the UK.
Children
If your child is an EU citizen and is under 21 you can apply for them, but they can start the process themselves.
If you have applied to the scheme, you can link your application to theirs during the process. You need proof of your relationship to your child when applying. E.g. birth certificate.
You may also need to provide proof of your child’s UK residence.
Brexit is not in the spotlight recently because of Covid-19 but it didn’t magically disappear. Time is ticking, and the deadline is getting closer. It is our responsibility to prepare as much as we can.
If you have any insights about Brexit, something we left out please let us know in the comments!
