The UK government has published further details on how the new settled status scheme for EU citizens and their family members will work as the UK leaves the EU. In the technical document sent to the European Commission, the government has pledged that this new system will be streamlined, low-cost and user-friendly, and will be designed with input from EU citizens.
EU citizens will have up to two years following the UK’s exit from the EU to apply to stay in the UK and obtain settled status. Applications will be decided based solely on the criteria set out in the Withdrawal Agreement and there will be no discretion for refusal based on other reasons. The criteria are not, as yet, conclusive. However, the government has confirmed that they will be simple, transparent and will minimize the need for documentary evidence. Unsuccessful applicants will have a statutory right of appeal in line with current rights provided by the Free Movement Directive.
There are also plans to set up a voluntary application process to provide those currently residing in the UK with the option to get new settled status at their earliest convenience—a recognition of the administrative challenge of granting status to potentially over three million EU citizens and their families.
Negotiations between the UK and EU are ongoing.
