The Prime Minister, Theresa May, has confirmed today that government has axed the settled status fee. The fee had meant that EU citizens would be charged £65 to claim settled status after the UK leaves the EU, with an additional charge of £32.50 for any dependents.
May stated, 'A number of Members have made powerful representations about the anxieties facing EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU who are waiting to have their status confirmed.
'We have already committed to ensuring that EU citizens in the UK will be able to stay, and to continue to access in-country benefits and services on broadly the same terms as now, in both a deal and a no deal scenario.
'Indeed, the next phase of testing of the scheme for EU nationals to confirm their status has launched today.
'And having listened to concerns from Members – and organisations like the 'The 3 Million' group - I can confirm today that when we roll out the scheme in full on 30th March, the government will waive the application fee so that there is no financial barrier for any EU nationals who wish to stay. And anyone who has or will apply during the pilot phase will have their fee reimbursed. More details about how this will work will be made available in due course.'
May closed, 'Some EU Member States have similarly guaranteed the rights of British nationals in a No Deal scenario - and we will step up our efforts to ensure that they all do so.'
(source: gov.uk/, image: pixabay)