Home Secretary Amber Rudd has written to EU nationals urging them to stay in the UK after Brexit.
She is the latest senior figure to voice the message after Theresa May struck a similar tone last week.
In her letter, Ms Rudd says she is “proud that so many EU citizens like yourself have built your lives in the UK and made it your home”.
We’ve agreed protection for the rights of #EU citizens and their families living in the UK: https://t.co/wjToh2aHW7 #citizensrights #Brexit pic.twitter.com/VgJ9GEUDbh
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) December 18, 2017
She continues: “We value your contribution which is why the Government put safeguarding your rights as the first priority in the Brexit negotiations.
“I am absolutely delighted that we have now reached an agreement with the EU that does this.
“I know that at times you’ve had an anxious wait while the fine details were ironed out, but we wanted to get it right and we have always had you at the forefront of our thoughts.”
The Home Secretary says she hopes the agreement reached earlier this month “provides certainty to you and your family ahead of Christmas”.
“We are going to leave but we are going to do so in a smooth and orderly way, securing a new deep and special partnership with our friends while taking back control of our borders, money and laws once again.” – Prime Minister Theresa May
https://t.co/K8DTs20ySV— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) December 11, 2017
She concludes: “EU citizens, like yourself, who have made the UK their home are our family, our neighbours and our colleagues and we want you to stay.”
EU citizens who arrive by March 29 2019 and have been continuously and lawfully living in the UK for five years will be able to apply to stay indefinitely by getting settled status.
Those who have been in the country for less than five years before the exit date will be able to apply to remain until they have reached the five-year threshold.
Ms Rudd’s letter, sent to more than 120,000 recipients on the Home Office’s mailing list, says: “The agreement we have reached ensures the rights you and your family currently have remain broadly the same with access to healthcare, benefits and pensions protected.
The UK has reached an agreement with the European Commission on citizens’ rights.
The agreement will provide certainty to the over a million UK nationals and their family members living in the EU.
For more details follow: https://t.co/kwjHhaIeLx pic.twitter.com/9lkBSuTHBG
— FCO travel advice (@FCOtravel) December 13, 2017
“And your existing close family members living outside the UK retain the right to join you in future.
“These rights will be cemented in UK law meaning you can live your life as you do now with the security of knowing they won’t change.”
The Home Secretary also seeks to reassure EU nationals about the new system being designed to handle applications.
She says: “There won’t be bureaucratic hurdles – those processing applications will work in your favour.
“What’s more, it will cost no more than the fee a British person pays for a passport and if you already have valid permanent residence documentation it will be free.
“There will be support for the vulnerable and those without access to a computer, and we’re working with EU citizens’ representatives and embassies to ensure the system works for everyone.”
