EU citizens working in social care, health and the education sectors are being given the opportunity to confirm their lawful status in the UK ahead of Brexit which is less than three months away.
The pilot scheme covers employees and workers in health/social care and those working in higher education institutions with a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence. The application process for social care and health workers goes live on 29 November 2018 . The application process for higher education workers commenced on 15 November 2018. The pilot ends on 21 December 2018.
Who is eligible?
Workers will only be able to take part in the pilot if they are working in the above sectors, and are:
- an EU citizen and have a valid biometric passport (this is an e-passport which has a digital chip); or
- a non-EU family member of an EU citizen and have a biometric residence card with ‘EU Right to Reside’ on the back, which you applied for on or after 6 April 2015
Irish citizens enjoy a right of residence in the UK that is not reliant on the UK’s membership of the EU. They will not be required to apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme, but may do so if they wish.
To apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme, a worker will need to complete an online application and pay £65, and provide the following information:
- Verify identity – An applicant must have a valid biometric passport or biometric residence card (issued by the Home Office). All applicants must use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to verify their identity which is currently only available to download on Android devices. Once identity has been confirmed, the applicant can complete the rest of the application either on that device or on any smartphone, laptop or computer.
- Criminality check – All applicants will undergo a criminality check by declaring any criminal convictions. Only serious or persistent criminality will affect the application. This should not affect the vast majority of EU citizens and their family members.
- Verify residence in the UK – Applicants will have to provide proof of residence in the UK, which can be done by providing his/her National Insurance number. The Home Office will then check UK tax and certain benefits data and use those records to help work out how long the applicant have been resident in the UK. Alternatively, if the applicant has a valid permanent residence document or valid indefinite leave to enter or remain, they will just need to provide proof of that status.
- Pay application fee – An application costs £65 for those aged 16 or over, but is free if an applicant has a valid permanent residence document or valid indefinite leave to enter or remain.
Applicants can ask a question using the online submissions form here.
