* ARTICLE UPDATED WITH SUPPORT SESSION INFORMATION *

In a new blog, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, Professor Shearer West, has announced that the University will pay the registration fees for all of its EU staff and their families should they wish to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Read the blog: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/about/vice-chancellor/blog/blog-016.aspx.

By taking part in the scheme, colleagues will be able to protect their rights and those of their families after 31 December 2020, when the UK is currently scheduled to exit the European Union. Further details are available by contacting Megan.Garner@nottingham.ac.uk in Human Resources.

What is the EU Settlement Scheme?

In advance of the UK’s exit from the EU on 29 March 2019, the UK government has committed to protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members currently living in the UK. This includes the right to live here, work here and access public services such as healthcare and benefits. To retain these rights after 31 December 2020, EU citizens must apply for UK immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Further detail on the Settlement Scheme can be found on GOV.UK.

EU Settlement Scheme — pilot stage launched Thursday 15 November

The Home Office is currently testing the EU Settlement Scheme through a series of pilots ahead of the public launch.

EU citizens and non-EU family members of EU citizens working in the Higher Education sector can register to take part in the Home Office’s EU Settlement Scheme pilot covering employees in the higher education and health and social care sectors. This pilot launched on Thursday 15 November and runs until Friday 21 December 2018.

This pilot is testing the application process that EU citizens and their family members will use when the scheme opens fully next year. Feedback provided by participants in the pilot will be used to make improvements to the process before the scheme fully launches to the public by 30 March 2019.

By taking part in the pilot, participants will be able to make an early application for new UK immigration status in order to continue to live and work in the UK after the end of the planned implementation period on 31 December 2020.

Who is eligible to take part in the pilot?

You will only be able to take part in the pilot if you are an employee of our university, and you are:

• an EU citizen and have a valid biometric passport (this is an e-passport which has a digital chip)
• or a non-EU citizen family member employed by the university and have a biometric residence card with ‘EU Right to Reside’ on the back, which you have applied for on or after 6 April 2015

If you are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme pilot you will need to complete a short and simple online application form to:

• prove your identity;
• show that you live in the UK; and
• declare any serious criminal convictions.

Application process during the pilot

To apply to the EU Settlement Scheme you will need to complete an online application:

• Verify your identity – You will need to have a valid biometric passport or biometric residence card (issued by the Home Office) to apply in this pilot. All applications must use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to verify identity. This is currently only available to download on Android devices – an easy way to check if your device can use this app, is if your device has the technology to make contactless payments. A number of local authorities are offering an identity verification service to ensure those who do not have access to a suitable device are able to do so. Details of the locations where this service is being provided will be available on GOV.UK once the pilot launches. If you cannot get access to this app during the pilot there will be alternative ways for you to verify your identity once the scheme fully opens.
• Criminality check – You will need to complete the criminality check by declaring any criminal convictions. Only serious or persistent criminality will affect your application. This should not affect the vast majority of EU citizens and their family members.
• Verify your residence in the UK – You will need to provide evidence of your residence in the UK. There are number of ways you can do this, for example providing your National Insurance number (if you have one). There may be cases where residence cannot be proven automatically in this way, and you will be asked to provide further evidence on your application. Information on the other types of evidence you can use can be found on GOV.UK. Alternatively, if you have a valid permanent residence document or valid indefinite leave to remain, you will just need to provide proof of that status.

 What happens next?

• If you’re eligible to take part, we will already have sent you an email inviting you to participate. This email will provide you with the details of how to register your participation.
• Once you have registered your email address, you will receive an email with a link to complete your online application.

Please note that making an application in this pilot is entirely voluntary. There will be no change to your current rights under EU law until the end of the planned implementation period on 31 December 2020.

If you have any queries, please email staff-immigration@nottingham.ac.uk.

For more details about the pilot scheme, please view the Briefing pack.

If you are having trouble with the application process or have any queries, please use the Home Office Resolution Centre in the first instance via https://eu-settled-status-enquiries.service.gov.uk/start or telephone 0300 123 7379.

UPDATE – Support sessions

The University has arranged for individual support sessions to run throughout December 2018 for individuals who need some additional support completing their application e.g. those who do not have access to an android device (required as part of the pilot process). The sessions will be run by members of the HR Department who will provide you with access to an android phone to use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to complete your application.

These sessions can be booked via the short courses website and will take place across multiple campuses.