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EU citizens told to apply to post-Brexit scheme within 28 days to stay in UK

The Home Office is experiencing a major backlog in visas

EU citizens who have not already applied to the EU Settlement Scheme will be given a 28-day period to apply to remain.

While the scheme closes in a week, the Home Office has said it will allow EU citizens indefinite time to complete their application if they have a reasonable excuse.

The government was previously criticised for not defining what a “reasonable” excuse would be. This could result in “hundred of thousands” of applicants losing their rights of residence, even if their application is valid.

The EU Settlement Scheme was established after Brexit for EU and other EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the UK by 31 December 2020. They, along with their, families can apply for “settled status” or, if they have less than five years residence, “pre-settled status”. 

There have been over 5.6m applications and 5m grants of status through the scheme up to the end of May 2021.