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<p>The 3.5 million EU citizens and their family members resident in the UK are eligible
to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Following two successful
private beta test phases, we commenced the wider public roll-out of the scheme on
21 January. The EU Settlement Scheme will be fully open by 30 March 2019 and EU citizens
will have until 30 June 2021 to apply, in line with the draft Withdrawal Agreement.</p><p>In
the event of a no deal, the Prime Minister has already made clear that all EU citizens
resident here by 29 March 2019 will be welcome to stay. The deadline for applications
will be 31 December 2020 to align with the start of the new UK immigration system.</p><p><br>We
want all EU citizens and their family members who are eligible to do so, to apply
to the EU Settlement Scheme. A targeted communications plan is already underway and
once the scheme is fully rolled out by 30 March 2019, a full campaign will ensure
we reach as many people as possible, both directly and through third parties such
as employers and charities. Additionally, up to £9 million of grant funding will also
be made available to enable civil society organisations to mobilise services targeted
at vulnerable EU citizens and their families to ensure those that require the most
support to apply to the scheme can access it.</p>
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