Immigration: EU Nationals

(asked on 28th January 2019) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements his Department has made to ensure that elderly people required to apply for settled status who cannot use a computer and do not live near a Home Office centre can make an application.


Answered by
Caroline Nokes Portrait
Caroline Nokes
This question was answered on 5th February 2019

The Home Office is putting in place measures to ensure that the EU Settlement Scheme is streamlined, user-friendly and accessible to all prospective applicants. That is why we are working in partnership with vulnerable group representatives, local authorities and other experts to make sure we reach everyone.

Since November 2017, we have held monthly meetings with representatives of EU citizens on the design and development of the scheme and communications plans. We have been working closely with these groups to identify the needs of potentially vulnerable applicants including the disabled, elderly and isolated. There will be a broad range of support in place; for those who need non-specialist support there is the assisted digital service for technological support, and the Settlement Resolution Centre which will be able to assist with questions relating to the application process.

When the scheme fully opens by 30 March, there will be further routes available to have identity documents checked. This includes posting passports or ID cards to the Home Office to be checked and returned, and there will be over 50 locations all over the country where applicants can have their document scanned.

The Home Office is committed to supporting vulnerable EU citizens to obtain UK immigration status and we will continue to engage with representative groups to ensure the needs of vulnerable citizens are taken into account.

Reticulating Splines