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The United Kingdoms EU Settlement Scheme, which permitted European Union citizens to apply to continue living in the UK in spite of Brexit, has closed for applications on June 30, 2021.

Announcing the closure of the deadline, the Home Office has noted in a press release that as many as six million applications have been received to the scheme, marking an astonishing success in protecting the rights of EU citizens in the UK.

The press release also points out that among the 6.02 applications made, a total of 5.1 million were granted with the status, while about 570,000 applications remain pending. Those who have their status still pending will receive a Certificate of Application, which they can use until they get a response on their application, in case of need, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Commenting on the end of the scheme, the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said that the EU Settlement Scheme has successfully ensured that the rights of EU citizens in the UK are protected so that the latter could continue to live in the UK.

Having more than 6 million applications to the scheme is an unprecedented achievement, and I am delighted that we have secured the rights of so many EU citizens our friends, neighbours and family members, she said.

At the end of May this year, SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that until March 31, 2021, Home Office had counted a total of 5,301,470 applications from the EU and Schengen Area nationals who wish to continue living in the UK, though the latter is no longer an EU member.

Newly released statistics show that the number has increased by about 700,000 more. For as long as the scheme has been running, the highest number of applications were lodged in England 5.3 million, 291,200 in Scotland, 98,600 in Wales, and 98,400 in Northern Ireland.

EU and EEA citizens living in the UK, who havent applied for the EU settlement scheme on time will now need to apply for valid UK immigration status in order to remain in the UK, either through the EUSS, if they were resident in the UK by December 31, 2020, or are a joining family member, or through a valid visa.

Those who have failed to apply for their status up until now due to reasonable grounds can still apply but should do so as soon as possible. The following are considered as reasonable grounds for late application:

The EU Settlement Scheme was first launched on March 30, 2019, processing more than 20,000 applications per day. The scheme granted all EU, EEA and Switzerland citizens the chance to continue living in the UK after the latter left the European Union.

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EU Settlement Scheme Closes - EU Nationals Now Have to Apply for Immigration Visas If They Want to Live in UK - SchengenVisaInfo.com -...