EU nationals will easily complete forms

EU nationals seeking to stay in the UK after Brexit will be able to complete applications in minutes, the immigration minister has said.

Brandon Lewis told a House of Lords committee requests for the newly created “settled status” should be processed and answered within a fortnight after they are submitted.

He emphasised that the Home Office will adopt a presumption in favour of granting status – with refusals only likely in cases where issues are flagged up in criminal records checks or where the application is fraudulent.

Mr Lewis said the new scheme, which is expected to go live in the second half of next year, will be much easier than the system currently in place for those seeking permanent residence.

He said: “The way we are looking to develop this is using online processes where somebody spends literally a few minutes online and within a couple of weeks your settled status is dealt with and granted.”

Mr Lewis told the Lords EU justice sub-committee there will be a presumption that applications will be accepted.

He added: “The only circumstance in which I can foresee somebody not being granted settled status is either the criminal records check shows they are a criminal and if somebody was trying to claim they were an EU citizen in the UK and they are not – ie, a fraudulent application.”

The Home Office has launched a drive to bring in 1,200 extra caseworkers in preparation for the new system.

Brandon Lewis said the new scheme was to go live next year.