Thousands of EU citizens in Scotland have still to apply for settled status

THOUSANDS of European nationals living in Scotland have still to apply for settled status, with the end of the Brexit transition period days away.

Figures reveal that, as of the end of November, 225,000 people from mainly European Union countries residing in Scotland have sought permanent settled status.

That is 9,000 fewer than the number of EU citizens living here, according to official annual population survey figures. And there are understood to be hundreds more who need to apply who are originally from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The Brexit transition period ends at 11pm this Thursday, but the deadline for applying in the EU Settlement Scheme is not until the middle of next year.

The details emerged just over a week after Nicola Sturgeon sent an open letter to EU citizens explaining it was “critical” for them to apply to remain in the country.

Across the UK, about 200,000 of the 4.48 million settlement applications were still to be concluded, with 29,000 refused, 47,700 invalid and 42,900 withdrawn or void.

The Citizens Advice network has said increasing numbers of people sought immigration advice towards the end of the year.

In November, it provided

1,237 pieces of advice on preand settled status, a 16 per cent increase in terms of overall advice provided.

The figures include immigration advice delivered in bureaux and by the EU Citizens Support Service Helpline. The Support Service has helped 10,145 people since it launched in April 2019, either by helping people with their application or giving people advice on the EU Settlement Scheme.

Citizens Advice Scotland spokeswoman Gillian Fyfe said: “The growing demand for immigration advice reflects the level of uncertainty around the process of the future relationship between the UK and the EU towards the end of the year.

“In some senses, however, it’s a real positive that people are seeking advice. EU, European Economic Area and Swiss citizens should understand they have to apply for settled status and the deadline to apply is June 30, 2021.

“With so much uncertainty around the issue of Brexit this year and how things may look once the transition period ends, it is understandable for people to feel unsure about their rights.”