On 24 June 2016 the right to live in the United Kingdom for over 3 million people of its people was suddenly cast into doubt. If generous provision is not made for them we are looking at the biggest mass expulsion of population since 1290, when Edward I infamously ordered the Jews of England into exile.
I say this because there are estimated to be over 3 million citizens of other EEA countries living in the UK. The total number may be higher if their family members (spouses, parents, others) from outside the EU is taken into account. The total population of the UK is around 65 million, meaning these EEA citizens are around 5% of the total population.
Despite the fact that the referendum might profoundly affect their future, they were not allowed to vote. Like phantoms they were able to see and hear but were unheard and unheeded. They had to look on helplessly as the British people, media and politicians talked about them and never to them, misrepresenting their motives and their contribution to this country.
Nothing happens for at least 2 years
The first point to make here is that the referendum on 23 June 2016 has no immediate legal effect and does not change anybody’s legal status. The UK is still a Member State of the European Union and free movement laws continue to apply at the moment. Citizens of other EU countries and their family members living in the UK are still living here lawfully and can freely leave and re-enter the country.
For the UK to leave the European Union, the British Government will need to invoke or trigger Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This is the legal means by which a Member State may voluntarily leave the European Union. It states that unless the departing country and the rest of the EU can agree something different, the departing country will cease to be a member 2 years after Article 50 is invoked.
Absence of assurance
As previously discussed on the blog, outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron and other Government spokesmen have refused to give assurances on what will happen to EU nationals currently living in the UK. The latest the Government is able to offer is this:
When we do leave the EU, we fully expect that the legal status of EU nationals living in the UK, and that of UK nationals in EU member states, will be properly protected.
It seems that the current Government is unwilling to commit the next Government and is wary of losing a potential bargaining chip in the coming negotiations. The rights of EU nationals in the UK have been repeatedly linked to the rights of British citizens living in other EU countries. A motion was tabled in the House of Commons urging the Government to make arrangements, but only 273 MPS voted on it out of 650 and the motion does not bind the Government.
Who is most at risk?
Despite the unforgivable reticence of the Government to make any commitment on the future of EU nationals, it still seems highly likely that generous transitional arrangements will be made if the UK does not join the EEA.
Those most likely to benefit are:
- EU nationals and family members who have already acquired permanent residence and
- EU nationals who have an EU right of residence but have not yet acquired permanent residence, and their family members.
Get residence documents
I am reluctant to advise people to do something I do not know for sure they need to do. However, applying for residence documents is cheap at only £65 for an application and it offers clarity about a person’s current status.
I would recommend that EU nationals and family members apply for residence certificates or cards as soon as possible. It is perfectly feasible to do this without a lawyer. You do not need to use the Home Office forms but may find it convenient to do so. You can find the forms here. I’ve written an ebook on making EU residence applications which may prove helpful if you are unsure.
Get permanent residence documents
I would advise anyone who thinks they qualify for permanent residence to make an application for a permanent residence certificate or card. This is partly to get ready for any transitional arrangements but is also to give people who do not qualify now a chance to make sure they do qualify.
To put it another way, it will be at least two years before EU free movement law ceases to apply and that may be enough time for some people to ensure they do qualify for permanent residence, or at least are on the road to doing so.
Naturalisation as a British citizen
Some EU citizens or family members may wish to naturalise as British citizens. However, it is important to be careful about this because the UK Government now says that the family members of dual citizens cannot benefit from EU free movement law. This means that any family members from outside the EEA would lose their right of residence in the UK if their EEA family member naturalises as British.
Prior to 2012 the Government had no problem with dual citizenship but in response to a case called McCarthy the Home Office changed its approach. It is arguable that the current UK approach is unlawful in EU law but, I say again, this is no time to be standing on principle.
Waiting times
The waiting times for EU residence documents are thought to be long at the moment, but nobody is sure how long (see this earlier post: Waiting times for EEA residence applications.)
The Home Office is obliged in EU law to issue such documents within 6 months of application but has been known to breach this provision.
With so many people now likely to be making applications and with the Home Office insisting on such voluminous collections of documents to be submitted and being notoriously inefficient and badly run it seems likely that waiting times will grow.
For assistance in getting your Residence Documents or Naturalization as a British Citizen get in touch with us via anjum@vira.co.uk.
