Brexit

EU Settlement Scheme Pilot opens to Kent Staff

A new pilot phase of the government’s Settled Status scheme is now open to EU citizens at Kent.

What is the EU Settlement Scheme?

In advance of the UK’s exit from the EU on 29 March 2019, the UK government has committed to protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members currently living in the UK. To retain these rights after 31 December 2020, EU citizens must apply for UK immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Further detail on the Settlement Scheme can be found on GOV.UK.

What is the pilot?

The Home Office is testing the Scheme through a series of pilots ahead of the public launch. This second phase of the pilot runs until 21 December 2018 and covers employees in the higher education and health and social care sectors.

Participation in this pilot allows EU citizens to apply early and gives the Home Office an opportunity to test the application process. Successful applicants will not need to apply again for the same status once the scheme opens fully next year.

Making an application during this pilot phase is entirely voluntary and there will be no change to the current rights under EU law until the end of the planned implementation period on 31 December 2020. For those who choose not to apply during this phase, the scheme is fully open by 30 March 2019 and at any time up until 30 June 2021.

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.

Further information on the Scheme can be found on the HR EU Referendum webpages or enquires can be sent to staffEUqueries@kent.ac.uk