EU citizens make a huge contribution to our economy and society, and we want them to stay. The EU Settlement Scheme enables them to do so. They will only need to complete three key steps - prove their identity, show that that they live in the UK, and declare any criminal convictions.<\/p>
The EU Settlement Scheme opened on a trial basis at the end of August and the second phase of live testing ended on 21 December. In light of the posi-tive progress, we commenced the wider public implementation of the scheme on 21 January. This will allow us to further test and develop the scheme, which will be fully open by 30 March.<\/p>
Over the two private beta test phases, over 30,000 applications have been received and the majority of those individuals have already been successfully processed through the scheme and granted status under it. A smaller propor-tion of cases were held pending further evidence of residence to be submitted from the applicant. Caseworkers are working directly with applicants on these cases.<\/p>
We have published two separate reports on the both private beta phases and we have committed to provide further details in due course of the planned phased implementation of the scheme. We will continue to update Parliament as part of that process. Please see the private beta reports here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/752872/181031_PB1_Report_Final.pdf.<\/a><\/p>