Brexit took place on 31 January 2020, and there is still a lot of confusion among EU citizens on how exactly Brexit will impact and change their lives.
Fortunately, for now, nothing will change. A transition period is in place until 31 December 2020. Until this transition period ends, nothing will change for EU citizens in terms of free movement in the UK. However, UK citizens are now no longer EU citizens.
Deadlines of the EU Settlement Scheme
Persons with EU passports are still able to come to the UK to settle until 31 December 2020. They will have time to register under the EU Settlement Scheme until 30 June 2021.
There is thus no cause for panic in terms of reaching the deadlines. We do, however, encourage clients who still need to register under the EU Settlement Scheme to do so sooner rather than later, to avoid last-minute panics!
Family Members of EU Citizens
Non-EU family members living in the UK with the EU citizen, also have to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. Not only the EU citizen.
The good news is that close family members of an EU family member, who are settled in the UK, will have no time limit on when they can join the EU family member in the UK. However, they have to prove that the relationship still exists at the time when they join the EU family member.
The Home Office acknowledge the following family ties as ‘close family members’; civil partners, unmarried partners, dependant children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents. The family members can be of any nationality, and do not have to be EU citizens themselves.
Why apply under the EU Settlement Scheme?
The EU Settlement scheme allows a person and his/her family members to reach the immigration status they need to continue to live, work and study in the UK.
Persons who register will continue to be eligible for public services such as healthcare and schools, public funds, and pensions. A person with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme will also eventually be able to apply for British citizenship, once they meet all the requirements.
How can Breytenbachs help you?
Breytenbachs can assist EU citizens and their family members with applications for settled and pre-settled and status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Applying for this status will enable EU citizens and their family members to continue living in the UK after Brexit. Please contact us for further assistance.
