CRISIS AHEAD FOR EU NATIONALS
In this blog we will talk about EU nationals who are in the UK already and facing difficulty with digital-only status
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EU citizens caught up in UK airports and tackling delays in moving house since they are unable to give physical evidence of UK residency – regardless of UK government’s own valuation warning digital-only status would trigger ‘a lot of issues’
The UK government’s evaluation not to give physical proof of settled status has by now left EU citizens in the UK encountering problems showing their post-Brexit immigration status, as activists caution this is only the “tip of the iceberg”.
After speaking to some EU nationals who have been stopped at airports and experienced delays in shifting house because they are not able to show physical proof of their residency in the UK – in spite of the UK government’s own valuation presuming there was “very strong evidence” that digital-only proof would cause “a lot of issues”.
The EU settlement scheme lets EU citizens residing in Britain to apply for immigration status after free movement terminates on 31 December 2020. The UK Home Office says it offers successful applicants with only a digital copy of their status to make sure they can “always access proof of their status” and that it is in keeping with the “move towards digital status in all aspects of life”.
Nevertheless, charities in the UK warn that this will eliminate individuals who are not digitally literate and that some groups – such as landlords, employers and border officials – may carry on to ask physical proof of status, which would leave millions of EU Nationals isolate from their essential rights such as access to employment, healthcare and lodging.
A UK Home Office representative stated: “EU citizens are our friends and fellow citizen and we like them to stay – which is why we are pleased that there have been over 3.5 million grants of status under the EU Settlement scheme.
“In the long term, physical documents become invalid, expire, or can be misplaced, robbed or tampered with. A digital status makes sure that EU citizens who are permitted status in the UK can continuously access proof of their status, which is just as valid as a physical document.
“All aspects of life are observing a move towards digital status, from transport to banking– it is only rational that borders and immigration welcome technology and continue with this move.
“EU citizens can, on the other hand, carry on to use their passport or national identity card to prove their status in the UK until 30 June 2021.”
Our blog ends here. Are you an EU Citizen who have faced problem with the digital-only proof? Comment below and share your experience with us. Thanks for reading out today’s blog update.