× Search rightsnet
Search options

Where

Benefit

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction

From

to

Forum Home  →  Discussion  →  Covid-19 issues  →  Thread

Settled status and Covid-19

Paul_Treloar_AgeUK
forum member

Information and advice resources - Age UK

Send message

Total Posts: 3196

Joined: 7 January 2016

Update email from government about settled status applications for EU citizens.

While applications continue to be processed, during this challenging time they will take longer than usual. In addition, in line with the latest Public Health England advice some of our support services and application routes have temporarily changed. Please find an outline of these changes below. This situation is being kept under constant review and we will continue to keep you updated.

Settlement Resolution Centre (SRC)
The SRC will no longer be answering telephone calls. It will, however, continue to respond to email enquiries and provide a call back function when required. Emails from support organisations will be prioritised where possible.

ID document scanner locations
The ID document scanner locations are following all the latest Public Health England advice to protect staff and the decision has been made, to suspend them at this time.

Postal route for submitting Identity evidence
The postal route for submitting identity evidence is currently suspended. We are unable to accept any documents by post at this time, but all documents already sent to us will be returned as quickly as possible. Applications can still be made online using the “EU Exit ID Document check app”.

57 grant funded voluntary and community sector organisations
Some services have been suspended but organisations are seeking to provide support in other ways, in line with social distancing guidance, for example via telephone and online. Please check with the individual organisations for further details.

Further information
There are still 15 months before the deadline of 30 June 2021 for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme, and there is plenty of support available online to support those looking to apply.

Additional support is available to those EU citizens in the UK who do not have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to apply online through Assisted Digital, which can offer assistance over the phone.

We have also translated communications materials into 26 languages and alternative formats can also be requested.

The support services outlined above will be kept under regular review. We, the Home Office, and all our delivery partners involved in supporting applicants will endeavour to reinstate these support services to their original status when it is safe to do so. 

RichB
forum member

WRO - City of Edinburgh Council

Send message

Total Posts: 33

Joined: 16 June 2010

Below is a reply email from the SRC. Has anyone found a work around for those without biometric passports or ID cards who would in ordinary times have posted their documents?

Thank you for your question regarding how to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

The EU Settlement Scheme enables EU citizens and their family members to apply for their UK immigration status to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.

Please note that due to coronavirus (COVID-19) there are some temporary changes to our application process.

Currently, to participate, you must have either a biometric passport or national identity card with a biometric chip in if you are an EU Citizen, or, a UK issued biometric residence card if you are a non-EU family member of an EU Citizen.

To apply please use the following link:

When you apply, you can use the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app (available on iPhone 7 or above or Android) to scan your document and send your photo. (If you are a non-EU family member, you must have a UK issued biometric residence card to verify your ID using the app).

We want to reassure all EU citizens and their family members in the UK that you will have until 30 June 2021 to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, provided you are resident in the UK by December 2020.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic we cannot accept identity documents in the post as both our offices, and those of the biometric centres are currently closed.

Without being able to use the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app, you will be unable to apply to the scheme until the postal route re-opens.

Once it reopens, you can begin your application through https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status and post the non-biometric identity card to our office.

Please note, that some of UK Visas & Immigration’s services are impacted by the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, therefore there may be a delay in processing times.

Should you require further information regarding the EU Settlement Scheme, please go to https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families. Alternatively, submit a further query using the online enquiry form https://eu-settled-status-enquiries.service.gov.uk/start”

UKVI is keen to continually review and improve its service to our customers. To help us to do so, we would be grateful if you could complete our customer survey https://homeoffice.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_doONiDBhhKZnDW5

Please note we cannot deal with any enquiries/replies sent directly to this mailbox.

 

[ Edited: 14 May 2020 at 04:51 pm by RichB ]