If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen or the family member of one of these, but you did not make an application to the EUSS by the deadline of 30 June 2021, your rights in UK law are not protected. This includes your rights to live, work, study and access benefits and services in the UK.
However, late applications will still be considered for those who can show they have reasonable grounds for missing the deadline. This includes cases where a parent, guardian or Local Authority has failed to apply on behalf of a child.
More information on late applications can be found on the government website:
And in this leaflet:
If you have already made an application before the deadline of 30th June 2021 but are waiting the decision, further information is available on the government website:
And in this leaflet:
Information about Applying to the EU Settlement Scheme:
If you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020, and you are from one of the European countries listed below (or in the leaflet), you must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
Now that the UK has left the European Union, children and adults from other European countries who live in the UK may need to apply for permission to stay. This is called ‘pre-settled’ or ‘settled status’ depending on how long you or your parents have lived in the UK. Once you have received permission, you can carry on living in the UK as you do now. Existing close family members (who are EU or non-EU citizens) will also be allowed to come and live with you in the UK.
Can I still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme?
You should have applied by 30 June 2021 but you can still make a late application. You will need to explain why you missed the 30 June 2021 deadline so that a caseworker can consider whether the reason you missed the deadline was reasonable.
You need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme online: gov.uk/eusettlementscheme.
You do not have to pay anything.
You can apply yourself if you understand how to, as long as you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020. Your parents or another adult who looks after you can also apply for you or 'link' your application with theirs if they have applied already. To link your application you will need to provide their reference number when you apply.
If you don’t apply, you may experience problems when it comes to applying for college, university, jobs or other benefits in the future.
How can I get help if I need it?
If you have a question about your application or need additional support, go to: eu-settled-status-enquiries.service.gov.uk. There is also a helpline: 0300 123 7379.
Download the EU Settlement Scheme leaflet (Information for EU/EEA citizen children):
You should be able to find all the information you need on this webpage, but you can also download the leaflet as a PDF if you would prefer to print it or read offline.
Please refer back to this webpage for the frequently asked questions (FAQs) that don't feature on the leaflet.
- Children's Society Report (30 March 2021): Looked After Children and the EU Settlement Scheme (PDF)
If you are from one of the European countries listed below, or you are a family member of someone from one of these countries, you must make an application to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Austria | Belgium | Bulgaria | Croatia | Republic of Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hunagry | Iceland | Ireland* (optional) | Italy | Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malta | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland
*Irish citizens are not required to apply to the EUSS but may do so if they wish. Their non-Irish/non-British family members can apply without the Irish citizen having done so.
What will I need to apply?
- Identity document such as a passport or national identity card, and a digital photo of your face
- If you are a non-EEA citizen, you can provide either your valid passport or valid biometric residence card (BRC) and you may need to provide your fingerprints.
For more information see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at the bottom of this page.
Remember!
- A separate application form has to be filled out for each child in the family
What happens when I apply?
- Step 1 – They will make sure that you are who you say you are
You will need to use your identity document to confirm who you are. Scan the document on your phone, send your document by post or visit a location that can scan it for you: gov.uk/eu-id-scanner-locations - Step 2 – They will make sure you are already living in the UK
If you do not have a national insurance number, you can upload other documents as evidence you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and that you continue to do so, such as an official letter from your bank, school or doctor. - Step 3 – They will do some final checks
If you are under 18, you do not need to tell them if you have been in jail or committed a crime. However, they will check if any applicants over the age of 10 have a criminal record.
What happens after I have applied?
WHILE YOU WAIT:
You or your parent (if they have applied for you) will receive an email once your application has been received. This will explain how you can prove your rights if you need to, until your application has been checked to make sure it is valid.
Once you make a valid application your rights will be protected whilst it is being processed. You will know when your application is accepted as valid because you will be issued with a Certificate of Application which will explain to you how you can prove your rights in the UK while you wait to hear if you have been granted pre-settled or settled status [and during any appeal]. More information on the View and Prove is available on GOV.UK.
CONFIRMATION:
You or your parent (if they have applied for you) will receive an email telling you if you have been granted pre-settled or settled status or not.
DIGITAL STATUS:
If you are an EU or EEA citizen child, you will not receive an immigration document through the post (unless you are a non-EEA family member of an EU citizen). Instead, your immigration status will be accessed and demonstrated digitally: a record will be kept online.
You can get details of your status and update your details if they change by going to: gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status.
Make sure you keep the details of your application for the future, including the ID document, mobile number or email adress you used.
To see your status, you will need to have details of:
- the identity document you/your parent used when you applied (the number of your passport or national ID card);
- your date of birth;
- access to the mobile number or email address you used when you applied as you will be sent a one-time use security code for logging in.
You can update these details online if they change, but make sure your parents share these details with you now if they made the application for you.
If you have been granted pre-settled status, you will need to APPLY FOR SETTLED STATUS when you have been resident in the UK for at least 5 years:
If your application is unsuccessful, you can apply for a review if you think there’s been a mistake:
Complaints: If you feel you have been discriminated against as a result of your new digital status, please report this to EU-CITIZENS-RIGHTS@eeas.europa.eu
FAQS
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Download FAQS - EU Settlement Scheme (PDF)
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