28 May 2020

EU Settlement Scheme update We are pleased to confirm that Home Office support services and application routes have now all fully reopened in line with public health guidance. This includes the reopening of the postal route for submitting identitydocuments for applicants who are unable to use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to verify their identity.  The EU Settlement Resolution Centre continues to provide support 7 days a week by email and telephone, in line with public health guidance to work from home where possible. Further support available There continues to be a range of support available online, by email and telephone for those who have questions or need help applying. Applicants can use the EU Exit ID Document check app to complete the identity stage of their application.  There are 57 voluntary and community sector organisations across the UK which can offer assistance online, over the telephone or by email to help more vulnerable or at-risk people to apply. Please check with the individual organisations for further details. Additional support is available for those who do not have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to apply online through Assisted Digital, which can offer assistance over the telephone. Communications materials have been translated into 26 languages and alternative formats can also be requested. The ID document scanner locations are currently suspended at this time following the latest public health guidance to protect staff. However, the Home Office and our delivery partners are keeping this situation under constant review and will endeavour to reinstate ID document scanner locations to their original capacity in line with public health guidance. Deadline for applications There is still more than a year left before the deadline of 30 June 2021 for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme. The latest Home Office statistics released last week confirmed that so far there have been more than 3.5 million applications to the scheme and more than 3.2 million applications concluded.

Kind regards, Home Office Communications

Switzerland and the UK have taken further steps in recent months to ensure continuity in their bilateral relations after Brexit. On 31 October 2019, Switzerland and the UK signed a transitional agreement for social security after the UK leaves the EU. The agreement is part of Switzerland's ‘Mind the gap’ strategy. It remains in force until 31 December 2020 and ensures social security coordination between Switzerland and the UK whatever the circumstances of a UK exit from the EU.

The Conservative Party won the general election on 12 December 2019 with a solid majority of 80 seats. At the beginning of February 2020, the UK entered a transition period, which according to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill should last until the end of 2020.

The bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU will continue to apply between Switzerland and the UK during that period. Looking to the future, Switzerland and the UK will be leading discussions to identify further potential themes of mutual interest and deepen the scope of agreements concluded so far.

RIGHTS OF SWISS CITIZENS IN THE UK AFTER BREXIT (‘SETTLED STATUS’)

Swiss citizens residing in the UK on the date the UK leaves the EU will be able to carry on with their lives just as before.

However, Swiss citizens and their family members have to register for a new residence status under the EU Settlement Scheme, to receive what is known as settled or pre-settled status.

You…

• ... cannot apply if you have UK-Swiss dual nationality as you already have full residence rights.
• ... do need to apply if you are married to a British citizen but do not have British citizenship.
• ... do not need to apply if you have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) but we recommend that you do as you will have additional benefits.

Where to Apply

Home Office Official Page: 
https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/what-youll-need-to-apply

Swiss Embassy FAQs: https://www.dfae.admin.ch/countries/united-kingdom/en/home/representations/embassy-in-london/embassy-tasks/political-affairs/brexit-faq.html

Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement as published by www.gov.uk

Useful walkthrough video on the Settled Status Application: https://righttoremain.org.uk/video-on-eu-settled-status-application/?fbclid=IwAR2HHPC73MbADYP_6jpvYZG7J-rcrrSIrjtaphS7rROtS4MVpzqMr8AeNCg

Free Movement have produced this very useful walk-through video, on the EU settled status application. Have a look at the video, and also read this more detailed article also on the Free Movement blog. The resources take you through the application stage by stage, including using the Android app to scan your passport (and your face), and the letter you will receive if you are successful.