EU citizens and their family members may now apply under the EU Settlement Scheme as part of a public test phase, running from 21 January 2019.

Applicants for this part of the test phase must be either:

• a resident EU citizen (but not a British citizen) with a valid EU passport
• the non-EU citizen family member of an EU citizen with a biometric residence card

Applicants will need to have access to an Android device with a near field communication function to use a Home Office app to confirm their identity as part of the process.

Irish citizens do not need to apply but may do so if they wish. Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland are not eligible to apply during this phase but we understand they will be able to apply when the scheme is fully open by 30 March 2019.

For further guidance on the Settlement Scheme our regularly updated Brexit FAQs are intended to answer your affected employees’ immediate questions on the effects of Brexit and we will continue to update them as matters develop.