EU citizens in Cornwall urged to apply for settled status before deadline
Around 7,000 have not yet made an application
Around 7,000 EU, European Economic Area and Swiss citizens living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have yet to apply for Settled Status to stay in the UK.
That is according to the latest Government statistics.
Up to October 2020, a total of 10,700 people have successfully applied for the status in Cornwall and 100 on the Isles of Scilly.
The deadline for applications to the EUSS scheme is 30th June 2021 but people are urged to make their applications as soon as possible to ensure they’re allowed to stay in the UK.
Citizens Advice Cornwall has set-up a special team dedicated to helping people with their applications and is encouraging people to seek advice if they need assistance or have any questions about the process.
“We know many people from Europe who have come to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to work in agriculture and food processing plants, as well as those who have lived here for many years with children and grandchildren, have yet to apply for Settled Status.
“It’s really important that you apply because after June 30 this year you may be asked to prove your right to get a job or use the NHS.”
EUSS Team Adviser, Ineta Simelionyte
The application process is free of charge and will allow European citizens to stay in the UK, work, study, use the NHS, claim the state pension and rent a home.
“European workers are vital to the economy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly so we would like employers, as well as friends and neighbours, to encourage them to apply or seek advice at an early stage.”
Caroline Goodman, who also works for the Citizens Advice EUSS team
Citizens Advice Cornwall’s EUSS service is free, independent and confidential and can be contacted on 03333-440061 or text ADVICE EUSS to 78866.
People who need to apply include those born in the UK but without British citizenship, those with a UK Permanent Residence document, and EU, EEA or Swiss citizens with a British family member.
For full information on how to apply to the EUSS scheme, visit the website.
Applications for settled status from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (to October 2020) by nationality:
POLAND – 2,160
ROMANIA – 2,060
LITHUANIA – 1,300
BULGARIA – 890
PORTUGAL – 750
GERMANY – 520
LATVIA - 440
ITALY – 400
FRANCE – 360
SPAIN - 350
HUNGARY – 300
NETHERLANDS – 270
CZECH REPUBLIC – 150
SLOVAKIA – 140
SWEDEN – 90
GREECE – 90
DENMARK - 70
BELGIUM – 50
AUSTRIA – 50
FINLAND – 40
SWITZERLAND - 40
NORWAY - 30
CROATIA – 20
CYPRUS – 20
ESTONIA – 20
MALTA - 20
SLOVENIA - 10
NON-EEA – 120
Source: Home Office