Brexit and West Cheshire
Brexit - information for residents
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Rights for Non-UK EU citizens living in the UK
On 15 December 2017, the UK and the EU Commission made an agreement on citizens' rights.
The agreement means that non-UK EU citizens living lawfully in the UK and UK nationals living lawfully in the EU by 29 March 2019 will be able to stay and enjoy broadly the same rights and benefits as they do now.
The agreement sets out these points:
- Close family members will be able to join their families after the UK has left the EU. This includes spouses, unmarried partners, children, grandchildren, dependent parents and grandparents. Children born or adopted outside of the UK after the 29 March 2019 will also be covered
- People will be able to be absent from the UK for up to five years without losing settled status, more than double the level of absence allowed under current EU law. There will be the same reciprocal protection for UK nationals living in the EU.
- Professional qualifications will continue to be recognised where these are obtained before the date of the UK's departure from the EU
- It will be easy to apply for settled status and there will be a full right of appeal.
- Non-UK EU citizens who already hold a valid permanent residence document will be able to have their status converted to settled status free of charge.
Applying for the scheme
If you are a citizen of the European Union (EU), Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, you and your family will be able to apply to get either settled or pre-settled status. This will mean you can continue living in the UK after 31 December 2020.
You will not need to apply to the scheme if:
- you are an Irish citizen
- you have indefinite leave to remain in the UK
- you have indefinite leave to enter the UK.
Your family members from outside the UK and Ireland will still need to apply even if you do not need to.
How we can help
To help residents a new EU Settlement Scheme ID verification service is being introduced. Appointments are now available with the Council's registration team for citizens to bring in their ID document to be scanned and verified. Once done an application for pre-settled or settled status can then be made to the Home Office. The process is confidential and straightforward with no requirement for the registration team to keep any ID documents.
It is possible for EU citizens to apply direct to the Home Office for settled status by using a compatible Android phone or tablet to scan and submit their identity document.
The cost of the service provided by the registration team is £14 per person. To book an appointment please call 0300 123 7037 or email chesterregisteroffice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.
Deadline for applying for the scheme
The deadline for applying will be 30 June 2021, if the UK leaves the EU with a deal. In a No Deal scenario, there will be an earlier deadline of 31 December 2020.
You can sign up for email updates to find out when the scheme opens fully.
