More than 100 days have now passed since the end of the grace period for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
More than 100,000 Ealing EU citizens (who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020) have applied. But, if you missed that deadline, you may still be able to make a late application, if you have reasonable grounds for doing so. Check out the details on the government’s website.
To support those making applications, the Home Office has extended funding until the end of March 2022 to independent organisations and charities who help people making an application.
If you need help to apply for EUSS, Ealing Law Centre and its partners West London Equality Centre, and Hammersmith and Fulham Law Centre is here to provide that help. It has been awarded funding until the end of the March 2022 to support vulnerable members of the community with complex cases to make applications for settled status, and pre-settled status. For more information on how to contact it, visit the Ealing Law Centre website.
‘Thank you’
Councillor Aysha Raza, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for tackling inequality, said: “I want to thank those EU citizens who live in Ealing who have applied for EUSS for themselves and for their families. It is fantastic that you have chosen to stay and continue to be part of the life of this borough. And I want to encourage those who haven’t yet applied to do so.
“Ealing’s diversity is something we are incredibly proud of and the benefits our EU citizens bring to the local economy, community and culture of the borough cannot be overstated.”
Passport changes
From 1 October 2021, almost all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will need a valid passport to enter the UK. However, those with pre-settled or settled status under the EUSS can continue to use their ID card to travel until at least 2025.
If you have pre-settled or settled status under the EUSS you are advised to update your UKVI online account with all valid travel documents, such as a passport. This will ensure that you can avoid any unnecessary delays at the UK border. You can do this online by using the view and prove service, which enables individuals with digital status to keep their travel documents updated.
