Details about the
EU Settlement Scheme
are available on the Gov.UK website.
EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have already been in the UK for five years and can provide evidence of that, will be granted settled status. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have been in the UK for fewer than five years will be granted pre-settled status
until they reach the five-year residency requirement. Those EU/EEA/Swiss nationals with permanent residence will be able to convert their permanent residence status into the new settled status free of charge, subject only to verification of identity,
a criminality and security check and proof of ongoing residence.
The Home Office has produced a
step-by-step application process
for EU citizens to apply for settled status. The settlement scheme opened in March 2019 and the deadline for applications will be 30 June 2021.
Staff are strongly encouraged to apply for pre-settled status even if they do not have 5 years’ continuous residence by the deadline date. You can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date you get pre-settled status and, depending on your
initial residence date, you may well be able to make a subsequently successful application for full settled status.
You can also apply for status under the
EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK. All University staff who are EU/EEA/Swiss nationals are strongly encouraged to consider this option if they are currently overseas.
Some staff members may wish to apply for British citizenship rather than settled status. The University announced in January 2019 that it will allow claims of £65 for those EU staff who, since 1 January 2018, have applied successfully for British
citizenship. Further detail and conditions can be found on the
Staff Communications Hub.
ID verification
Part of the settled status application involves
ID verification
that utilises a downloadable app, which runs on Android devices. A number of staff who do not own such a device have asked if one can be made available and IT Services can indeed assist. Android devices will be made available to staff on each of our
four main sites at the IT Services service desk.
The process is that:
- the user will be given a factory reset blank android phone;
- they will then log into the phone using their google account;
- they will download the app from the Play Store and do the required scan as part of the settlement application and complete the process;
- finally they will then watch as the service desk staff member factory resets the phone for the next user.
You will not be able to take the phone away from the service desk and IT Services staff are on hand to help if you encounter problems. Please keep in mind that we have specific opening times for walk-in service desks - details are
available online. The last admittance for this service will be an hour before they close.
In addition, the following support is available if you need help to complete your application, including:
EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre - call 0300 123 7379.
Assisted Digital - this free service is available over the phone and in person if you do not have the right access, skills or confidence to complete the online application form. Contact We-Are-Digital by calling 03333 445 675. To check
availability of this service or for more information visit
Assisted Digital.
ID document scanning service - this service is available to complete the proof of identity step if you do not have access to the EU Exit: ID Document Check app. There may be an administrative fee to use this service. To check availability of this
service and for more information, see the
list of scanner locations.
Community organisations - if you need more support with your application, contact a nearby community organisation. For more information, see
Get help applying to the EU Settlement Scheme.