Deadline for Applications 30th June 2021

Local Stirling MP Alyn Smith is urging local EU nationals to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme through the UK government. 

The Scheme was introduced due to the UK government removing the whole of the UK from the European Union. It would give EU nationals living in the UK so-called ‘settled status’ to continue residency rights. Those eligible for settled status would normally have lived continuously in the UK for the past five years – with a small number of exceptions.

EU nationals who have not lived continuously in the UK for five years, but began living in the UK by 31 December 2020, will be able to apply for ‘pre-settled status’, which would permit eligible applicants to continue living in the UK for the full five-year timescale to apply for settled status. 

The deadline for submitting applications for pre-settled or settled status is 30 June 2021.

Alyn Smith MP said: 

‘We’re proud that Scotland is a welcoming and inclusive nation – anyone who lives, works or studies here is just as Scottish as anyone else, and we’re honoured when people call us home. The contribution of EU nationals to the fabric of our nation is simply incredible – and we bitterly regret the turmoil they’ve faced as Scotland has been removed from the European Union against our democratically expressed will.

‘We in the SNP completely disagree with the approach the UK government has taken with the Settlement Scheme – alternative solutions such as rolling out automatic status for EU nationals after Brexit have been disregarded.

‘Due to the nature of reserved and devolved matters, as long as Scotland remains a part of the UK such immigration matters rest entirely in the control of the UK Home Office – and it is these organs of state that EU nationals must interact with in order to safeguard their ability to live and work in Scotland. I therefore urge all EU nationals living in my constituency of Stirling to begin their application for settled status if they haven’t yet done so.

‘Those in need of additional help and support can read information from Citizens Advice Scotland, including guidance regarding what you’ll need to prepare to apply for pre-settled or settled status. My office also stands ready to assist in any way we can.’

Notes: 

Apply to EU settled status scheme: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

CAS advice page: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/immigration/staying-in-the-uk-after-brexit/eu-exit-brexit-advice/