UK Government Commences to Make Choices for Those Who Can Apply for Settled Status in the UK

Should we be concerned if reciprocity as asked for by the UK and included in the last UK/EU agreement is introduced by Spain?

Please note that the below is relevant to EU citizens already residing and working in the industries mentioned below.

EU Settlement Scheme pilot: applicant eligibility

“A new phase of the EU Settlement Scheme pilot will open on 1 November 2018 and will run until 21 December 2018.

Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration

Who is eligible for the pilot?
Under this phase of the pilot, you’ll be able to apply for status under the scheme if you’re either:

A resident EU citizen with a valid passport
The non-EU citizen family member of an EU citizen and you have a biometric residence card
You must also either be:

working in the higher education, health or social care sectors, as set out below
a child under the age of 18 being looked after by one of the local authorities involved in the pilot or eligible for support or assistance from one of those local authorities because you were looked after by them as a child
receiving support from one of the community organisations involved in the pilot
You’ll also need to be able to access an Android device in order to use a Home Office app to enable us to confirm your identity as part of the application process.

You must not apply under the pilot unless you meet these eligibility requirements.

Family members
Your family members won’t be able to apply during this phase of the pilot unless they are also eligible through their employment with a participating organisation or they are also being supported by one of the participating community organisations. By 30 March 2019, the EU Settlement Scheme will be open to all eligible applicants, including family members.

When you can apply?
From 1 November 2018
You’ll be able to apply during the pilot if you’re employed by or work at one of the 15 NHS Trusts or 3 universities in north-west England involved in this phase of the pilot.

From 15 November 2018
You’ll also be able to apply if you’re employed by or work at a higher education institution or overseas higher education institution in the UK which is classified as such on the Tier 4 Register of Licensed Sponsors.

You’ll also be able to apply if you’re a child under the age of 18 being looked after by one of the local authorities involved in the pilot, or you’re eligible for support or assistance from one of those local authorities because you were looked after by them as a child.

You’ll also be able to apply if you’re receiving support from one of the community organisations involved in the pilot.

From 29 November 2018
You’ll also be able to apply if you’re employed by or work at an organisation in the health or social care sector in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

Full details of the employers participating in this stage of the pilot in each part of the UK are available in the Immigration Rules. There are some differences which reflect devolved responsibility for health and social care.

Further information
This phase of the pilot is only open to people who meet the eligibility rules set out above.

This means you must not apply during the pilot unless you’re employed in the higher education, health or social care sectors, as set out above, or are eligible as a looked after child (or former looked after child) of one of the local authorities involved in the pilot, or because you’re receiving support from a community organisation participating in the pilot.

An application under the scheme will not be rejected due to a genuine error by the applicant as to whether they came within the scope of the pilot.

Published 11 October 2018
From: Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration

Please note: The information provided is based upon our understanding of current legislation. It is not legal advice but is provided freely to enable you to be properly informed. We recommend that if you are considering taking action, you should seek professional advice.