May wants EU workers to stay

Announces EU national's rights and status after Brexit

Tuesday 27th June 2017 12:06 EDT
 

Theresa May has said she wants the EU citizens living in the UK to stay after Brexit as she announced plans for a "settled status" for all EU nationals lawfully resident for at least five years. In a bid to put their "anxiety to rest" May said they will be able to apply for it and be able to bring over spouses and children.
Those who come after an as-yet-unagreed date will have two years to "regularise their status" but with no guarantees.

Guy Verhofstadt, lead Brexit negotiator for the European Parliament said, 'limitations' in Mrs May's offer were 'worrisome' while Lib Dem Brexit spokesman Tom Brake accused the government of “treating people like dirt.”

The key points of the UK's proposals are: Those granted settled status will be able to live, work, study and claim benefits just as they can now. The Family members of EU citizens living abroad will be able to return and apply for settled status. While the cut-off date for eligibility is undecided but will be between 29 March 2017 and 29 March 2019, the EU nationals living in the UK for less than five years at the specified date will be able to continue living and working in the UK.

Once they become a resident for five years, they can apply for settled status. Those arriving after the cut-off point will be able to stay temporarily but there should be "no expectation" they will be granted permanent residence. A period of "blanket residence permission" may apply to give officials time to process applications to stay in the UK. The Home Office will no longer require evidence that EU citizens who weren't working held "comprehensive sickness insurance". Officials anticipate that the process of administering "settled status" will be a huge challenge, with some 3.2 million potential applications.


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