6 minute read
Citizens Advice
Advice Applying for Settled Status
I’m from Austria and I know I need to apply for Settled Status as the UK leaves the European Union. But I’m really confused about what documents I need in order to apply for me and my children. We’ve lived in England for six years and I’m worried that if we don’t apply before the end of the month, we might have to leave.
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You don’t need to apply by the end of the month - your rights won’t change until 31 December 2020. However, you should apply as soon as you can in case of any delays. After the transition period ends on 31 December you might be asked to prove your right to do things like get a job or use a service like the NHS. Having your status sorted will make this more straightforward.
To get settled status, you need evidence that you’ve lived in the UK for 6 months out of every 12 months for 5 years in a row. As you say you and your children have lived in the UK for six years, you should be eligible for this.
In order to apply, you’ll need to have a few things. These include a passport or national ID card, a digital photo, your National Insurance number or proof of how long you’ve lived in the UK, a mobile number and an email address.
If you’ve been working, you can find your National Insurance number on your pay slip. If not you can contact HM Revenue and Customs National Insurance Helpline on 0300 200 3500 to help find it.
It may be easier to make your children’s application after you’ve made your own. This way you’ll be able to ‘link’ your child’s application to yours, using the application number you got when you applied for yourself. You can do this at any time after you’ve applied - you do not need to wait for a decision. And if your own application is successful, your child will get the same status as you.
In order to apply on behalf of your children, you will need to have proof of your relationship - for example a birth certificate.
Applying for pre-settled and settled status
You usually have to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme online. There are a few situations when you must use a paper form. You don’t need to be in the UK to apply.
Check how you should apply
You usually have to apply online. Some people must use a paper form. You must apply on a paper form if you don’t have or can’t get hold of your passport or national identity card. You must also apply on a paper form if you’re not an EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss citizen and you’re: • a family member of a British citizen and you lived with them outside the UK in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland • a family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who’s become a British citizen • a carer for a British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
If you are none of these, you must apply online.
The EEA includes EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Starting the online application First, you have to prove your identity using your identity document. Your identity document is your: • passport or national identity card if you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen • passport, ‘biometric residence card’ or ‘biometric residence permit’ if you’re from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland
The easiest way to do this is to scan your identity document. This means that you will not have to send it to the Home Office. Your document must have a biometric chip to scan it.
If your identity document doesn’t have a biometric chip you’ll have to start your application online and send your document to the Home Office.
Filling in the online application form You don’t have to do the online application in one go - you can save your answers and come back later. You have 70 days to fill in your application. If you don’t finish it in that time, it will be withdrawn and you’ll have to apply again. Your application will not be considered until you’ve finished it.
We are here to help, for further information and advice contact Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org. uk/immigration/
Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire is a local charity funded locally and staffed by local volunteers. We need and appreciate local Businesses and residents supporting us financially to maintain our services. If you can help in any way please contact kingsley.taylor@ citizensadvicemidlincs.org. uk thank you.
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