The scheme is therefore due to open on 30 March. It is free and will be open for enough time to allow all residents to apply in the months following the UK’s exit.

Under the draft UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement, the UK and the EU have agreed that the current rights of those EU/EEA/Swiss citizen’s resident in the Bailiwick of Guernsey will continue until 31 December 2020.

If those affected want to stay in the Bailiwick of Guernsey beyond then, they will need to apply under the new EU/EEA/Swiss Settlement Scheme.

They will need to fill in a short application form and provide some basic information and provide a valid passport or national ID card. This will allow them and their family members to continue to live and work in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. It means they will continue to have ongoing rights to healthcare, work arrangements and access to benefits and public services as they do now.

There may be different arrangements for those arriving after 29 March 2019, but the Settlement Scheme will open regardless of whether the UK and the EU approve the Withdrawal Agreement.

There are two different status in the scheme. Those that have been living in the Bailiwick of Guernsey for less than five years may be granted “Limited Leave (Permission) to Remain”. Those that have beenliving in the Bailiwick for more than five years may be granted “Indefinite Leave (Permission) to Remain”. Years spent in the UK will be taken into account when calculating the years spent.

Pictured: Deputy Mary Lowe. 

Committee for Home Affairs President Mary Lowe said:

“The States are committed to ensuring that those from the EU who currently call Guernsey home areeasily able to remain here following Brexit. The process is free, easy and forms part of our commitmentto respecting the rights of EU citizen’s resident in Guernsey when the UK leaves the EU and helps to ensure that we support the local economy and population.”

The EU/EEA/Swiss Settlement Scheme will be operated under immigration legislation and is therefore entirely separate to the Population Management Law which operates in Guernsey, and any domestic laws controlling employment and residence in place in Alderney and Sark, which will continue to apply as now.

The implementation period will run from the date the UK leaves the EU on 29 March until 31 December 2020. This will enable the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the EU, businesses and public services to put in place the new arrangements required.

The EU/EEA/Swiss Settlement Scheme will be operating from 30 March 2019 with the Guernsey Border Agency accepting applications from Monday 01 April 2019. Applications will be open until 30 June 2021. Applications must be made in person to;

Immigration and Nationality, Guernsey Border Agency, New Jetty, White Rock, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 2LL 741420 immigration@gba.gov.gg, or The States of Alderney or The Sark Constable’s Office

There is further information available at gov.gg/brexit