Ross-shire Citizens Advice Bureau chief urges EU citizens to ensure settlement status ahead of deadline

A ROSS-SHIRE advice supremo has urged EU citizens wishing to continue living in Ross-shire and the wider Highlands to ensure they have the required paperwork.

After the UK left the EU, it entered into a transition period which ended on December 31 last year.

During the transition period, people from EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, could continue to enjoy their freedom of movement rights as they did before the UK decided to leave the EU.

All EU citizens and their family members who entered the UK on or before December 31, 2020 and who wish to continue to live, work or study here will need to apply for an immigration status to remain legally resident.

The Home Office has set up a special programme called the EU Settlement Scheme to process all the applications.

EU citizens and their family members who can prove they have lived in the UK for five years or more will be granted settled status, and those living here for less than five years will be granted pre-settled status. The closing date for applications is June 30.

Ross and Cromarty Citizens Advice Bureau is urging Highland residents who come from European Union countries to ensure they have the correct post-Brexit paperwork to allow them to remain in the UK.

CAB manager Mary MacDonald said: "We are concerned that there are people and their families in Ross and Cromarty and throughout the Highlands, who are not aware that they should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme and we would like to encourage people to help any EU citizens, particularly those that have lived in this country for many years.”

To get in touch with us on 01349 883333 or alternatively email settlement@alnesscab.casonline.org.uk

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