Will EU citizens still have the right to work and live in the UK after Brexit?

AS the Brexit deadline continues to get closer there are still many uncertainties.

But will EU citizens still have the right to work and live in the UK after Brexit?

If Britain leaves the single market and customs union, it may not be given the same complete freedom to move money, people and products around the EU.

The European Union will only allow the UK to be part of the European single market if it continues to allow EU nationals the right to live and work in the UK.

But from January 21, 2019, EU citizens were able to apply for

Any EU citizen currently living in the UK will have until June 30, 2021 to apply in order to be able to stay in the UK if the country leaves with a deal.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal then the deadline is December 31, 2020.

If anyone fails to apply by this date they will be considered as living in the country illegally.

How is it different from 'pre-settled' status?

If someone who is from the EU and lives in the UK, but has not been in the country for five years they can be granted pre-settled status.

It allows them to stay in the UK until they reach that five-year mark, which is required to get accepted for settled status.

Once they reach the five-year mark, they need to apply again to claim for settled status.

How can you apply for 'settled status' in the UK?

EU nationals will have to apply through the Home Office for a residency document over a two-year window.

They will have to answer three "simple" questions.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said the government's "default" position would be to grant, not refuse, settled status.

Applicants will be asked to prove their ID, whether they have criminal convictions and whether they live in the UK.

Their answers will be checked against government databases and they should receive a decision within a fortnight.

People will be able to apply online and over a smartphone app.

How many EU citizens are eligible for 'settled status'?

Nearly four million EU nationals could be eligible, with the Government anticipating around 3.5million applications.

Those living in the UK lawfully for at least five years will be granted "settled status" and can live, work and claim benefits just as they can now.

All EU citizens who move to the UK before the cut-off point will be given "blanket permission" to stay for a period - expected to be up to two years.

Close family members of those with settled status who live in a different country will be able to reunite at any point in the future and will be eligible for settled status after five years.

Family members such as spouses, civil partners, partners of more than two years, and dependent grandchildren, parents and grandchildren.

Children born in the UK to parents from the EU will automatically become British citizens.

Irish citizens will not have their rights affected by Brexit and will always be able to live and work in Britain freely.

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