The practical consequences of Brexit are beginning to manifest themselves even though the modalities of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union remain unknown. Officially, barring sensational postponements, Brexit will kick off at midnight on March 29 and European citizens residing in the UK must be ready by that date. As? Requesting the "settled status", i.e. the status of permanent resident in the United Kingdom, with which it will be possible to remain in London after the official divorce, maintaining the same rights in force today.
The possibility of submitting the Settled Status application has been active since 21 January and will involve 3 million European citizens, including 700 Italians.
The initiative is foreseen in the context of the agreement negotiated with the EU, the same agreement peremptorily rejected last week by the British Parliament. However, according to the announcements, the rejection will not imply any step back on the issue. Therefore, even in the event of a No deal, the permanent residence criteria will remain the same.
BREXIT AND SETTLED STATUS: WHO CAN REQUEST IT
Settled status can be requested and obtained by those who have been resident in Great Britain for at least 5 years. Those who have been on the other side of the Channel for less than 5 years will be able to obtain the “pre-settled status”, i.e. the right to remain in the United Kingdom until he has completed the 5 years necessary to obtain the "settled status".
The conditions are valid:
- for those already residing in the UK,
- for those arriving in the United Kingdom by 28 March 2018 (the day before the official Brexit) in case of No deal,
- for those arriving in the UK by 29 December 2020 in case of ok to the agreement.
BREXIT AND SETTLED STATUS: HOW TO SUBMIT THE REQUEST
The Settled Status application can be submitted online via PC, smartphone or tablet. At the moment the app is only available on Android, but the government is working with Apple to make it available on iOS as well.
To do this you will need:
- an identity document;
- a “proof of residence”
- a criminal record check.
From 30 March (and therefore the day after the official Brexit) the application can also be submitted using paper mail.
There will be time until 30 June 2021 to submit the request.
BREXIT: HOW MUCH IS THE SETTLED STATUS?
The cost of the online procedure is £65 for those over 16. Children under the age of 16 will have to pay 32,5 pounds instead. Those who already have the Permanent Residence will still have to carry out the procedure, but free of charge.
