Ins and outs Key criteria

The 3.2million EU citizens living in the UK will have to apply for a new status after Brexit, which could involve ID cards.

Processing more than three million applications means Home Office staff working on some 4,000 per day.

The Government will agree a cut-off date with the EU, after which any new EU citizens may not be given “settled status”.

It will be no earlier than March 29 2017, when the UK triggered Article 50, and no later than the date of the UK’S withdrawal.

Settled status gives the holder the right to use UK public services and access benefits and education.

There will be a two-year grace period after Brexit for people to get their status in order.

Republic of Ireland citizens will have a separate arrangement. Criminals and those deemed to be a risk to the UK will not be allowed to stay.