Discovering what EEA means to the UK and applying for the EU Settlement Scheme is a must if you want to become a legal citizen here. If you are an EU citizen or a family member, this guide will assist you to deal easily with the process of pre-settled or settled status in the UK. Pre-settled status entitles you already to benefits at the same rate as British citizens.
The EEA and Your Stay in the UK
The EEA includes all EU states along with Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Whatsoever your circumstances will be concerning your continued stay in the UK after Brexit follows the deadlines set by the EU Settlement Scheme will be your ultimate determinant. The majority of applicants were finalizing their applications by 30 June 2021.
Meeting the Exceptions
Late Application
Those who began living in the UK before 31 December 2020 but missed the initial deadline now have until 30 June 2021 to apply. We accept late applications in specific scenarios, such as:
- Late applicants in the UK may apply for settled or pre-settled status on a late application.
- Family members who would like to go to join their relatives already trusted or already settled in the UK.
- Keeping original biometrics they have or visas.
- If your circumstance falls into any of those categories, you can stay here because you have a special status.
Special Circumstances
Occasionally, a situation might have occurred where your chances of applying for college vanished in due course of time because of a lack of money or compassion. These reasons can include:
- Language barriers or slow internet connection.
- Homelessness or disabilities.
- Lastly, another factor that leads to a decrease in the affordable housing supply is that people do not fully understand the process or requirements.
- Being away from home and legal papers or any recommendations.
- Phenomenon or delays such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In these cases too you can apply to Yale later on for delays including evidence of your situation.
The UK government has proposed various scenarios regarding the Settlement Scheme for EU Nationals, which means that you are entitled to apply if you have a reason for it.
Rights of British and Irish Citizens
People in the UK and Ireland are free to stay within the boundaries of the country without any license. Irish and British families living outside the UK have their residence guaranteed as there is scope to understand their eligibility to continue staying within the jurisdiction of the UK.
Application Scenarios
Let’s delve into different application scenarios based on your situation:
1. Applied to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021
Similarly, it is important to take early action as leading up to the 30th, the scheme is expected to be occupied by many people. This will result in long queues for the settlement service as people acknowledge the approval date will be a breaking point.
If you submit your application on time by the due date but no response on your application, you apply other criteria to show your rights in the fullness of time.
2. Resided in the UK by 31 December 2020
“If you haven’t applied to the EU Settlement Scheme yet, your action plan depends on whether you possess a biometric residence permit or visa:
- Without a biometric residence permit or visa: However, this opportunity is only open to EU citizens who have lived in the UK since before the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020. Therefore, applicants aged 18 or above and settled in the UK before this period may be eligible to secure pre-settled or settled status.
- With a valid biometric residence permit or visa: Make an edging application for pre-settled or settled status well ahead of your leave ends. This will not be perceived as a sent-in-late application.
3. Arrived in the UK After 31 December 2020
If you are a family member of someone who has UK pre-settled or settled status, you may be eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme, which allows non-British EU citizens to reside in the UK. On the contrary, it demands a particular eligibility, which includes: EEA card holders, EU SS permit holders, residence cards, and other valid Visas owners.
Those who were in the UK as visitors or from non-EUEEA/Non-Swiss countries must seek alternative visa options to remain in the UK.
Special Cases: Human rights activists employ the right to asylum to aid individuals experiencing persecution, discrimination, and war.
In the course of history, as the British Empire expands to its exciting horizons, diversity of origins amongst British protected persons inevitably exists. Understanding protection by birth and descent is essential:
Protection by Birth
Eligibility by birthplace includes:
- Kenya (birth between 1921 and 1963).
- The Malay States (born before August 1957).
- Nyasaland (born before July 1964).
- Tanganyika (all births).
- Having a father born in Brunei.
Protection by Descent
Only a few indigenous peoples receive protection based on blood descent, specifically Kenyans whose birthplace and their father’s birthplace must match separately.
How to Apply for British Protected Person Status
If you believe you are entitled to protected status, please get in touch with UK Visas and Immigration first to begin the application process. The process typically includes providing various documents and evidence:
- Details as proof of origin such as identity documents and birth certificates.
- In addition to that, please provide copies of any applicant’s passports.
- This might involve records concerning your parent’s citizenship status.
- Evidence of the UK being the most appropriate choice of settlement.
- Besides the projects, additional documents could be also asked for during the procedure. It is highly advised to give your applicants all the details they need to have an easy time filling in the application.
Renewing a Protected Persons Passport
A protected passport is no different in this regard all of them have an expiration date specified. You must, to proclaim your right of travel, lodge a request for renewal at the HM Passport Office. The way everything happens, as you come up with all the paperwork required on your first application, will determine whether you will get an immediate discharge or not.
Benefits of British Citizenship
Because the nationality of British protected persons is limited the majority seeking better the role rights prefer to receive British citizenship. Becoming a British citizen offers several advantages:
- The freedom to explore the world with a British Ticket.
- The right to live and settle in the UK without some eligibility requirements.
- The right to vote in the national and provincial or municipal elections in the country.
- Since travel freedom within the EU and other British partner territories for the extremely vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and regular testing.
- The right to give citizenship to your children and letting them have the ability to have easy immigration to relatives like parents, uncles, aunts, or friends.
- Registration is a path to citizenship for Native Americans who were British-protected persons which is a shorter way to achieve naturalization. That is to say, your UK residency status needs to be unconfined.
- Ultimately what should be on offer is some way of stabilizing someone’s life status in the UK, and securing their rights of residence.
- If you want to keep up to date with the progress of your application or have questions about the process, it’s worth consulting an immigration adviser who specializes in EU Settlement Scheme applications.
One interviewee pointed out, “In the long run, it’s inexpensive.” Your future in the UK is worth it. - For more information and support on your situation, visit the government website.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the UK straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a Visitor Visa or a Study Visa, we handle every step from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas has a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need in the UK. Call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can assist you.
