Following the first two private phases of the live pilot of the EU Settlement Scheme, the government has now confirmed that the first public roll-out of the scheme will commence from 21 January 2019. Any EU citizens living in the UK who have a valid EU passport
(and their non-EU citizen family members holding a valid biometric residence card) will be able to take part in this public test phase of the EU Settlement Scheme. However, this is still a voluntary test phase; the scheme will be fully rolled out by 30 March
2019 and EU citizens will then have until 30 June 2021 to apply.

The public test phase will require applicants to prove their identity by using the EU Exit: Identity Document Check app, which is part of the integrated online application process. The app is only available on Android smartphones or tablets (such as Samsung,
Google or Sony phones) which have near-field communication (NFC). The app is not currently available on Apple devices and it is not possible to apply by post unless the applicant’s biometric chip is damaged or defective. There will also be support for EU citizens
who might need additional help in making their application.

Once the scheme is fully rolled out from 30 March 2019, EU citizens will be able to rely on their biometric national identity card to prove their identity, rather than only a passport. Applicants will also have the option at that stage to post their identity
document to the Home Office rather than using the app to prove their identity.

Changes have been made to the Immigration Rules to implement this next phase of the scheme.

By 13 December 2018, more than 15,500 applications had been made under the scheme and more than 12,400 of these had been concluded. 71% of the concluded applications were granted settled status and the rest were granted pre-settled status. Many of the applicants
received their decision within 24 hours.

Source: New feed