European expats in the UK have 28 days to legalise their stay

Initially, the British Government had given a deadline until June 30 so that all European Union citizens who currently live in the United Kingdom can regularise their situation and confirm their residence. This decision is a result of the Brexit that came into force on January 1, 2021. However, not all European nationals have been able to comply with the new conditions until now. So Prime Minister Boris Johnson decided to grant an extension of 28 days from June 30, 2021.

The EU Settlement Scheme has been set up for all EU nationals and their dependents who legally wish to continue living and working in the United Kingdom. But the six months deadline to legalise their stay expired at the end of June.

According to official figures from the British Government, some 5.6 million European nationals have already applied for their residence permit online. Most of them, that is, around 5.2 million people, have already received an affirmative answer. However, some 400,000 candidates are still waiting for an answer expected in the coming weeks.

The four weeks extension is therefore intended for all those who have not yet been accepted according to the conditions listed by the EU Settlement Scheme. Besides, many European expatriates from different nationalities have not yet specified whether they intend to stay or not. But representative figures are not currently available. The British Government fears that this figure might be much higher than the number of people who have already applied.

Those who arrived in the UK before January 1, 2021, and considering settling permanently must be able to justify the reason for their stay, whether for work, for studies, to invest or start a business, or for family reunification. They are therefore required to provide a series of supporting documents to justify their situation and activity in the UK. However, European nationals who settled in the United Kingdom in 2021 are not concerned.

The executive at Downing Street is about to send warnings to all those who have not yet regularised their situation. So they have four additional four weeks to apply if they don't want to lose their rights in the UK. Kevin Foster, the State Secretary for Immigration, aims at reassuring those who have not yet been able to apply and complete the process. According to his public statements, EU citizens who have not yet applied for the EU Settlement Scheme before June 30 will not be deprived of their social rights immediately.

In his speech before the European Affairs Committee at the House of Lords, he also pointed out that new applications will only be considered individually at the end of the four weeks extension. This gives enough time to any eligible person residing in the country before June 30 on "reasonable basis" to apply.

On the other hand, those who refuse or are not able to do so risk expulsion. Some 100,000 vulnerable people are concerned, including homeless immigrants, those with mental health disorders and people who don't have access to the online application system.

Kevin Foster believes that the online application system has considerable benefits. For example, it's much easier to share the information obtained. But a confirmation code can also be obtained via the EU Settlement Scheme's telephone service.