EU Settlement Scheme pilot
Please see advice below from UCU head office in relation to the extension of the pilot scheme:
We have received queries this morning about the government plans to extend the EU Settlement Scheme pilot to EU citizens working in universities across the UK.
The first stage of the pilot had previously been run in Liverpool institutions and health services. It is now being extended to all licensed UK higher education institutions. UCU has received mixed feedback from many members who have used the service so far.
The purpose of the scheme is to enable EU citizens resident in the UK and their family members to obtain the necessary UK immigration status they require in order to live and work in the UK after the end of the planned EU exit implementation period.
During this pilot phase, only those employed by HE institutions are eligible to apply, but the scheme will open to all eligible applicants including family members by 29 March 2019. Applicants to the pilot phase must be a resident EU passport holder or, if they are the non-EU family members of EU citizens, a biometric residence card.
The fee to apply for settled status is:
- £65 if you’re 16 or over
- £32.50 if you’re under 16
It is free to apply if EU citizens:
- already have valid indefinite leave to remain in or enter the UK
- have a valid permanent residence document
- are applying to move from pre-settled status to settled status
- are a child in local authority care
UCU’s position is that employers should pay the fee incurred by staff who seek settled status.*
Branches should note that the London School of Tropical Medicine has already agreed to do this on behalf of EU staff with the rationale that it wants to ‘remain a truly global community.’
*We have raised the numerous costs to international staff with the University of Leeds and we’re glad to see the University of Leeds has committed to refund the cost of these applications. The university’s Brexit page has links to details: leeds.ac.uk/forstaff/homepage/390/brexit
Branches should ask their own employers to make a similar statement and financial commitment.
Further detailed advice on Brexit and immigration status is being drafted arising from today’s political developments and will be shared soon.
If you have any questions about this advice please email ucu@leeds.ac.uk and we will ask UCU head office
Free immigration legal advice for UCU members
In general, for legal advice on working in the UK for members who are EEA or non-EEA nationals, see this legal guide from UCU. The guide includes how to get individual legal advice through the union.
This page was last updated on 15 November 2018