Thank you for contacting me about the deadline for applications from EEA citizens for settled status in the UK.
As you will be aware, 31 December 2020 was the deadline for EEA citizens to be resident in the UK to be eligible for the settled status scheme. EEA citizens eligible have until 30 June 2021 to submit an application. I understand there are concerns regarding this deadline. However, it is important to consider that the scheme was launched in 2019 and the latest statistics show that there have been 5.42 million applications with 5.12 million concluded applications. I was pleased to see that 97 per cent of concluded applications have resulted in settled or pre-settled status. I know that a wide range of support is available online and over the telephone if needed and the Government is funding 72 organisations across the UK to ensure no one gets left behind.
You may be reassured that there will be instances were applications made after 30 June 2021 will be accepted. In line with the Citizens’ Rights Agreement, there remains scope, indefinitely, for a person eligible for status under the EUSS to make a late application to the scheme where there are reasonable grounds for their failure to meet the deadline applicable to them. I welcome the fact that Ministers have now published guidance for caseworkers on reasonable grounds for making a late application, which includes where a local authority has failed to make an application on behalf of a child in their care and where a parent or legal guardian failed to apply on behalf of someone aged under 18.
I was particularly glad that the Government has made clear that the guidance, which reflects engagement with stakeholders on this issue, is not exhaustive and all cases will be considered on a flexible and pragmatic basis in light of their particular circumstances. The guidance can be found at the following link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-casewor…
