What happens if I don’t apply to the EU Settlement Scheme?
We strongly advise that all EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme do so before the scheme closes on 30 June 2021.
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and have not made an application to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021, you will become unlawfully present and will be at risk of losing access to employment and benefits, as well as being subject to other sanctions, such as being unable to rent from a private landlord in England or get free secondary healthcare. You could also be subject to Home Office enforcement action.
The Home Office has said, beyond 30 June 2021, late applications will be entertained if there is a ‘reasonable excuse’ for the delay. What reasonable excuse entails or means could be wide-ranging and it is unknown until it happens. Some examples of reasonable grounds have been provided:
- Children whose parent, guardian or local authority fails to apply on their behalf
- People in abusive or controlling relationships who were prevented from applying
- Those who lack the physical or mental capacity to apply
Further guidance has yet to be published on the process by which a person may, based on such reasonable grounds, seek a further period from the Home Office in which to make a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you are unsure as to whether you’re eligible to make an application, need support to make an application or have not applied by the 30 June 2021 deadline, please email CoventryEUSS@coventry.gov.uk