EU citizens

Over 51,000 European Union (EU) citizens and family members living in Islington have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme and just under 48,000 residents have been granted either settled status or pre-settled status.

If you have been granted settled or pre-settled status

• Keep status information updated
• If you have pre-settled status you may apply for settled status once you have completed five years continuous residence. You do not need to wait until your leave to remain is due to expire.
• Be ready to view and prove your immigration status
• If you have settled status you may be able to apply for British citizenship; check if you can become a British Citizen.

If you applied to the EUSS and are still waiting for a decision

There may be a wait for a decision. Please contact the EU settlement resolution centre if you have been waiting for a long time.

If you want to know more about the EU Settlement Scheme and whether it applies to you

EU Citizens and their family members who were living in the UK before the 31 December 2020 were required to apply under the EU settlement Scheme to secure their residence rights. The deadline to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021 but the scheme remains open to people:

• who have missed the deadline, but only in certain circumstances  
• joining close family members and future children of EEA nationals with settled or pre-settled status  
• with pre-settled status who meet the five-year residence requirement and can switch to settled status. 

Please refer to the EU Settlement Scheme webpages on GOV.UK for further information. A useful summary of the EU Settlement Scheme is also provided by the NRPF Network.

If you are making a late application, to the EUSS then it is advisable to seek legal advice for help with the application.

If you need legal advice to help with your EUSS application or other immigration issue

There are local organisations that offer free, independent advice to residents applying for the scheme, particularly those who are vulnerable or need additional support:

• Citizens Advice Islington: call 0300 330 1197 to speak to an advisor or book an appointment to come in to 222 Upper Street, N1 1XR
• Islington Law Centre: may be able to assist with complex cases or support vulnerable residents to make applications
• Settled: provides free and reliable advice and guidance in different languages to EU citizens on the EU Settlement Scheme.

Please also refer to the list of organisations that have been funded by the Home Office to help people apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

If you are accessing benefits or other services

• If you have a digital status, you may need to provide a share code
• Refer to our Money and Debt and Housing Advice pages for help if problems are encountered. You can also contact our Income Maximisation Team (iMAX) to check the benefits that you are claiming and to make sure you are getting the correct money
• If your immigration status does not allow you to access benefits, or you are told that you do not pass the right to reside test, refer to our information for people with no recourse to public funds
• Refer to the NRPF Network website for information about your entitlements to benefits and other services.  

Computer access or help to get online

You can visit Islington’s libraries where there is free wi-fi access. Library staff are on hand to offer help to get online or use online services; you can book an advice session with a member of staff if needed.

Assisted Digital support is available over the phone, at a local centre or in your home if you do not have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to complete the form. Find out more about Assisted Digital support via GOV.UK.

Identity (ID) verification

Please refer to the Using the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app GOV.UK webpages if you wish to make use of this service to complete the identity stage of your EUSS application. If you are unable to use the app, you can send your documents by post.