Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what interim policy is in place to prevent the family members of Northern Ireland born citizens from being adversely affected by immigration controls before the opening of the EU settlement scheme to those applicants on 24 August 2020; and what arrangements are in place for people whose current visa expires before that date but who qualify for and intend to apply under that scheme that they will not be considered an overstayer.

The statement of changes to the Immigration Rules laid before Parliament on 14 May will amend the EU Settlement Scheme so family members of the people of Northern Ireland can apply for immigration status on broadly the same terms as family members of Irish citizens. This delivers the commitment made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement which restored the Northern Ireland Executive in January 2020.

Family members of the people of Northern Ireland will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from 24 August.

Family members of the people of Northern Ireland who cannot already apply to the EU Settlement Scheme and want to come to the UK or extend their current stay before 24 August can make an application under an existing immigration route.