Goans to benefit from British plan for EU citizens

LONDON: Thousands of Goans with Portuguese passports who moved to the UK in recent years will be able to stay permanently under post-Brexit plans for EU citizens announced by the Theresa May government on Thursday.

The fate of nearly 3.8 million EU citizens in the UK and nearly one million British citizens in the EU is among key elements of ongoing talks between Brussels and London before the UK’s scheduled exit from the grouping.

Announcing plans for the settlement scheme in the House of Commons, immigration minister Caroline Nokes said applicants will only need to complete three key steps - prove their identity, show that they live in the UK, and declare they have no serious criminal convictions.

Two types of status will be granted to Goan-origin Portuguese and other EU citizens: Settled status for those who have lived in the UK for five years or more, and pre-settled status for those who have been in the UK less than five years.

Trials of the UK scheme are due to begin in June, with people allowed to start registering in the autumn. The scheme will run through the two-year transition period after Brexit day and beyond, up to June 2021.

Home secretary Sajid Javid told a parliamentary committee that the Home Office will not look for excuses to deny them settled status.

The default position will be to grant the status, he said, adding there will have to be a very good reason for refusal. HTC