EU Settlement Scheme
The government has published statement of changes to the Immigration Rules on 1st April 2019.
The official ‘cut-off date’ for Brexit has been amended to 2nd April 2019, which is the new ‘specified date’, instead of 29th March 2019. This is due to the European Council’s decision to postpone Brexit.
Therefore, in a no-deal outcome, an EEA national and their family members must have been continuously resident in the UK on 2nd April 2019 in order to apply under the new Immigration Rules, which will in place after Brexit.
‘Specified date’ also means the ‘cut-off date’ for the purposes of eligibility under the EU Settlement Scheme. Therefore, in the event of a no-deal, the date in which EEA nationals will need to refer when applying under the EU Settlement Scheme will be 2nd April 2019.
Crucially, the reason for this change is because, on 22nd March 2019, the European Council had decided to postpone Article 50, which is the process that was triggered and used to facilitate the UK’s exit from the EU. Therefore, the government has decided to reflect the European Council’s decision as soon as possible to make it clear what the ‘cut-off date’ will be for EEA nationals in a no-deal scenario.
Additionally, to read more about the statement of changes to the Immigration Rules, you can access the document via this link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/791305/CCS207_CCS0319920042-001_HC_2099_Immigration_Rules_-_PRINT.pdf
If you have any questions about your immigration status after Brexit, please contact our professional team of immigration solicitors at barar.london@bararassociates.co.uk or call us on 0207 487 8370.
