PM’s bold plan for EU migrants

EU nationals who have lived in the UK for five years by a specific cut-off date will be given the chance to take up ‘settled status’, granting them rights to stay in the country and receive healthcare, education, welfare and pensions as if they were British citizens.

Those resident for a shorter period will have the opportunity to stay on until they have reached the five-year threshold.

Those arriving after the cut-off date but before the date of Brexit will have a ‘grace period’ – expected to be two years – within which to regularise their immigration status with a view to later seeking settled status.

The cut-off date is yet to be set, but will come between the day when Britain formally notified Brussels of its intention to quit on March 29, 2017, and the day when it finally leaves, expected to be March 29, 2019.

The PM said the online application process would be streamlined and would replace the current 85-page form.

She said any deal would have to be reciprocal so that Britons living in Europe get same rights and that both sides should seek to agree terms and give certainty as early as possible in the talks.