One in four didn’t receive Certificate of Application immediately after EU Settlement Scheme application, survey finds

One in four citizens did not receive a Certificate of Application to the EU Settlement Scheme immediately after applying, according to an annual survey conducted by the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA).

The IMA’s second annual survey was completed by over 1,100 EU, EEA EFTA citizens, their family members, and eligible third country nationals. It comes as the IMA has launched an inquiry to investigate delays with the issuance of the certificates, which can be used to evidence rights, for example the right to work, rent or access benefits, while an application is being considered.

The survey also found that:

• 1 in 5 respondents have concerns about the future stability and security of their rights;
• 1 in 3 respondents are not confident that they will be able to enjoy their citizens’ rights; and
• 1 in 3 who lacked confidence in their rights being upheld expressed distrust towards UK public authorities.

The IMA has recommended that all UK public bodies should continue to strengthen trust with EU, EEA EFTA citizens, their family members, and eligible third country nationals. Governments in the UK and Gibraltar must also continue to promote rights in legislation, policy, and practice across all demographics, with particular concern for potentially vulnerable and marginalised citizens.

Positively, the majority of respondents to the survey felt they had not been discriminated against by a public authority on the basis of their nationality and 4 out of 5 respondents who hold pre-settled status know that they have to apply for settled status after five years.

Awareness of the IMA has more than doubled, from 13% recorded in the first annual survey last year to 28% this year. While 78% of respondents said they would complain to the IMA, 1 in 3 who stated that they would not complain reported a lack confidence that the IMA would take action.

Pam Everett, IMA Director of Operational Delivery said:

“The results of this year’s survey serve as a reminder for all public bodies to continue promoting and protecting the rights of EU citizens who arrived before 31 December 2020 and who have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme.

“We are continuing to investigate the potential impact associated with issues surrounding the scheme itself and would encourage those experiencing issues with Certificates of Application to respond to our request for information via the inquiry.

“As an organisation we recognise that we must continue to improve awareness of our organisation in order to build citizens’ confidence and trust so that they are empowered to report complaints to us which enable us to investigate issues and take action where it is needed.”

Read the report about the IMA’s second annual survey in full.

Go straight to the survey for the inquiry to share your experiences.