UK Outlines ‘Simple’ Process for Europeans Seeking to Stay After Brexit

LONDON (AP) — Britain has given details of how it plans to process as many as 3.5 million residence applications from European Union citizens after Brexit.

When Britain leaves the bloc next year, it will end the free-movement policy that lets EU citizens live in any member state. But it says EU citizens already in Britain can stay and have their families join them.

EU citizens living in the UK will be able to apply for settled status in three easy steps: https://t.co/bBbgNeXRk4 #citizensrights #eu #brexit pic.twitter.com/8XNeHliv7D

— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) June 21, 2018

The government disclosed some details of how the new residence plans will work Thursday. Applicants will have to show proof of identity and residence, disclose any criminal convictions and pay a fee of 65 pounds ($86) for adults.

Immigration minister Caroline Nokes conceded the scale of the operation was a challenge, but said it should be fully functioning by March 30, 2019, the day after the U.K.’s exit day.