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Over half million Poles want to stay in UK: British Home Office

17.01.2020 08:30
More than half a million Polish citizens living in the UK have applied for the settled status allowing them to stay in the country after the Brexit transition period, the British Home Office said on Thursday, according to a report by the 'Dziennik' daily.
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By the end of December, more than 2.8 million citizens of EU countries had applied for the status of a settled person, 2.5 million of whom had already received such status. Poles submitted about 19 percent of these applications, comprising the largest group among those applying for the status.

Deputy Home Secretary Brandon Lewis said it was fantastic that over 500,000 Poles have submitted applications. He added that they brought a lot to the country and were friends, family and neighbours to Brits.

The settled status is designed to enable EU citizens and their family members to stay in the UK after the country leaves the union. To obtain settled status, you need to prove your identity, show that you are actually resident in the UK and disclose any possible convictions. EU citizens have until June 30, 2021 to apply.

Polish Ambassador to the UK Arkady Rzegocki said: “I would like to draw the attention of all UK-based Poles who do not have British citizenship to the need to apply for settled status.” Rzegocki added: “This is necessary if they want to stay in this country after Brexit.”

The British Home Office is organising a series of informational meetings all over the UK, during which the department staff are to answer questions and assist in submitting applications. Another such meeting for Polish citizens will be held in Birmingham on January 30.

According to statistics, there are just over 900,000 Polish citizens in the UK.

(aba)

Source: Dziennik