EU students

If you have applied for the EU Settlement Scheme and are to be reimbursed, following the Prime Minister's announcement to waive the £65 fee, the Home Office has confirmed that you will receive a refund after 30 March 2019. 

If you are due a refund you do not need to do anything. The Home Office will automatically refund the fee to the card that was used to pay it. An email will be sent to the contact address provided in the application, confirming when the refund has been processed. 

The next pilot phase of the EU Settlement Scheme is now live. This phase is open to all EU citizens living in the UK who have a valid biometric passport. It is also open to non-EU family members of EU citizens who have a valid biometric residence card or permit. 

This phase of testing means that students and family members are able to apply provided they have either a biometric passport or biometric residence card.

Please note that Irish citizens do not need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme but can if they wish to. The Home Office has confirmed that EEA and Swiss nationals are not eligible to apply during this pilot but will be able to once the Scheme is fully open by 30 March 2019.

The deadline for making an application is 30 June 2021. 

Following the Prime Minister's announcement on Monday 21 January 2019 that the £65 fee required to make the application has been withdrawn, we are awaiting further details of how this will affect the process. The app still requests payment. Therefore, you may wish to defer making your application until this part of the process is amended in line with the announcement. 

Making an Online Application 

The online application will require you to:

• Verify your identity - You will need to have a valid biometric passport or biometric residence card (issued by the Home Office) to apply in the pilot.
• Criminality check - You will need to complete the criminality check by declaring any criminal convictions. Only serious or persistent criminality will affect your application.
• Verify your residence in the UK - You will need to provide evidence of your residence in the UK. There are a number of ways you can do this. The easiest is to provide your National Insurance number. The Home Office will then check UK tax and certain benefits data and use those records to help work out how long you have been resident in the UK. Information on the other types of evidence you can upload can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-scheme-evidence-of-uk-residence
• Verify your residence in the UK - Alternatively, if you have a valid permanent residence document or valid indefinite leave to enter or remain, you will need to provide proof of that status.
• Pay any application fee – see notice above. 

Details of the Scheme and applicant eligibility can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-scheme-public-test-phase-applicant-eligibility

Instructions on how to apply can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status

and

https://www.gov.uk/apply-stay-uk-leaves-eu-test-phase?step-by-step-nav=0c79b832-75de-4854-8154-d62774a8dfb8

For more information about the EU Settlement Scheme visit GOV.UK.

Continuing an Application from the 2018 Pilot

If you were unable to complete your application to the Scheme during the pilot phase in November/December 2018, you can continue to do so by clicking on the link:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-stay-uk-leaves-eu-test-phase

and scroll to ‘Continue your application’.

Home Office Resolution Centre and Support

The Scheme is independent of the University and the HR team is unable to respond to any queries regarding individual applications. For any questions about an application made during this pilot, contact the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre by calling 0300 123 7379 (inside the UK) or +44 (0) 203 080 0010 (outside the UK). Find out about call charges at gov.uk/call-charges. You can also ask a question using the online submissions form.

https://eu-settled-status-enquiries.service.gov.uk/start?hof-cookie-check

You can also contact the assisted digital service We Are Digital if you require support. Contact details for We Are Digital are as follows:  
Phone: 03333 445 675
Text Message: text the word “VISA” to 07537 416 944

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Access to Android Devices and the EU Exit: ID Document Check App

We understand that not everyone will have access to an Android device that has the required capability to download the EU Exit: ID Document Check. 

You can make an appointment to access the University’s Android tablets by emailing hr-eustaffinfo@glasgow.ac.uk. The Androids are available for you and your immediate family member(s) to use – please confirm how many family member(s) will require use of the device at the time of booking. The University will ask you to confirm the family member’s relationship with you at the time of using the device. This information will be not be retained.

The devices should only be used for the Identity Verification Stage of the process.  Once this is complete, you are able to continue your application using a PC or laptop.

Please note that use of Android devices is by appointment only.

Recording Your Status

If you have previously applied and been granted pre-Settled or Settled status and you wish to notify us of this, please contact your local HR team who will record the outcome of your application.

If you applied to the EU Settlement Scheme and were charged the £65 fee, the Home Office has confirmed that it will reimburse the fee before 20 April 2019. You do not need to do anything. You will receive an email from the Home Office confirming that the payment has been made directly to the credit/debit card you used when making the application. 

Dear Colleague

Further to my recent email, I am writing to inform you that the Home Office has confirmed that you can now register to take part in the EU Settlement Scheme pilot. The following information has been provided to us to share with our eligible staff.

This pilot applies only to people working in the higher education sector. These are

• EU citizens or
• Non-EU family members of EU citizens.

By taking part, you will be able to make an early application for your new UK immigration status so you can continue to live and work in the UK after the end of the planned implementation period on 31 December 2020.

What you need to do:

If you would like to participate in the pilot you will need to send a blank email from your own email account to [for link please contact hr-eustaffinfo@glasgow.ac.uk]. The Home Office will then respond to your email with further details on completing an online application. Please note that The Home Office will be replying to emails on a phased basis and it might take two to three weeks for you to receive your reply. Please only send one email, and make sure you check your inbox and junk mail regularly.

When you do receive a reply, it will contain a link to the online application form, and you will need to independently complete your application before 22 December 2018.

You will only be able to take part in the pilot if you are working at the University of Glasgow, and you are:

• an EU citizen and have a valid biometric passport (this is an e-passport which has a digital chip); or
• a non-EU family member of an EU citizen and have a biometric residence card with ‘EU Right to Reside’ on the back, which you applied for on or after 6 April 2015

Application process during the pilot:

To apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme you will need to complete an online application:

• Verify your identity - You will need to have a valid biometric passport or biometric residence card (issued by the Home Office) to apply in this pilot. All applicants must use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to verify their identity. This is currently only available to download on Android devices - if your device has the technology to make contactless payments it will be able to use this app. Information on how to access the app will be included in the application process. If you cannot access this app during the pilot, there will be alternative ways for you to verify your identity once the scheme opens fully next year. After using the app to verify your identity, you can complete the rest of the application either on that device or on any smartphone, laptop or computer.
• Criminality check - You will need to complete the criminality check by declaring any criminal convictions. Only serious or persistent criminality will affect your application. This should not affect the vast majority of EU citizens and their family members.
• Verify your residence in the UK - You will need to provide evidence of your residence in the UK. There are a number of ways you can do this. The easiest is to provide your National Insurance number. The Home Office will then check UK tax and certain benefits data and use those records to help work out how long you have been resident in the UK. You will get a result of this check straightaway. If you agree with the result, you can accept it and complete your application. If you disagree, this is not a problem, as you will be able to upload additional evidence of your residence. Information on the other types of evidence you can upload can be found on GOV.UK. Alternatively, if you have a valid permanent residence document or valid indefinite leave to enter or remain, you will just need to provide proof of that status.
• Pay any application fee – An application costs £65 for those aged 16 or over, but is free if you have a valid permanent residence document or valid indefinite leave to enter or remain.

We understand that not everyone will have access to an Android device that has the required capability. We are intending to set up access to two such devices. Once these are in place, we will add information to the EU Information page around location and availability.

Your participation in this pilot allows you to apply early to the EU Settlement Scheme and gives the Home Office an opportunity to test the application process. Successful applicants will not need to apply again for the same status once the scheme opens fully next year.

Please note that making an application during this pilot phase is entirely voluntary. There will be no change to your current rights under EU law until the end of the planned implementation period on 31 December 2020. If you choose not to apply during this phase you will be able to apply once the scheme is fully open by 30 March 2019 and at any time up until 30 June 2021, in line with the draft Withdrawal Agreement with the EU.

Irish citizens enjoy a right of residence in the UK that is not reliant on the UK’s membership of the EU. They will not be required to apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme, but may do so if they wish.

Support:

For any questions about an application made during the pilot, contact the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre by calling 0300 123 7379 (inside the UK). Find out about call charges on www.gov.uk/call-charges. You can also ask a question using the online submissions form eu-settled-status-enquiries.service.gov.uk.

An assisted digital service is available for those who do not have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to complete the online application form. If you require such support with your application, please contact We Are Digital by calling 03333 445675 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). Further information on this service can be found on GOV.UK once the pilot goes live.

Please note that, as the pilot is independent of the University, the HR team is not able to respond to technical or application queries. All questions relating to individual applications should be directed to the Resolution Centre or We Are Digital as above.

For more information about the EU Settlement Scheme visit GOV.UK.

Best Wishes

Christine Barr
Director of Human Resources

Read the EU Settlement Scheme - Second Pilot - Home Office Briefing Pack

The Home Office has provided an update (11 October 2018), announcing its second pilot phase of the EU Settlement Scheme. This will take place from 1 November to 21 December 2018.  Our understanding is that staff at many Higher Education Institutions including the University of Glasgow will be able to participate in this from mid-November onwards. 

The Scheme (please refer to the FAQs) is the process for resident EU* citizens and their family members to exchange their PR status or apply for Settled or pre-Settled status, allowing them to continue to live and work in the UK after 31 December 2020.

As far as we are aware, the new online application system for the scheme will be accessible through phones, tablets, laptops and computers.  The University has confirmed that it will reimburse eligible employees the £65 cost of applying for Settled or pre-Settled status.

We will let you know as soon as we can the details of the process and what you need to do to apply during this pilot phase.

If you wish to raise questions or seek individual guidance, please speak to your local HR team or contact: hr-visas-and-immigration@glasgow.ac.uk

*Irish nationals do not need to apply for Settled status.

As we move closer to the date when the UK formally withdraws from the European Union the Director of Human Resources Christine Barr outlines what the University is doing to support colleagues from the rest of the EU.  

As we move closer to the date when the UK formally withdraws from the European Union the Director of Human Resources Christine Barr outlines what the University is doing to support colleagues from the rest of the EU.

The University greatly values the contributions that all colleagues make in ensuring that Glasgow continues to be a world leading, world changing institution.

The University greatly values the contributions that all colleagues make in ensuring that Glasgow continues to be a world leading, world changing institution.

Christine Barr explains what is being done to ensure that the views of the University of Glasgow are understood and listened to by both the UK and Scottish Governments.

Christine Barr explains what is being done to ensure that the views of the University of Glasgow are understood and listened to by both the UK and Scottish Governments.

Colleagues and students will be aware that a general election took place across the UK on 12 December 2019. The Conservative Party won a majority in the House of Commons and expect to pass the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill through Parliament shortly.

The EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill

The UK has negotiated a Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union which details the arrangements for the country to leave the EU alongside various terms that will be applied during the implementation period beyond 31 January 2020.

Parliament must approve the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill prior to it becoming a constituent part of UK law & legislative practice.

It is expected that the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill will be re-introduced to Parliament on 20 December 2019. Members of Parliament will vote on whether or not to approve the Bill. The Bill must receive Royal Assent before 31 January 2020 if the UK wishes to leave the EU by this date.

Implementation Period

Subject to passage of the Bill through Parliament, the UK will leave the European Union on 31 January 2020.

There will be an ‘implementation period’ during which the UK would remain subject to EU law during which freedom of movement for UK and non UK EU nationals will continue between the UK and European Union until 31 December 2020.

What does this meant for EU National staff who wish to live and work in the UK?

If the United Kingdom leaves the European Union with a deal, EU nationals will be able to live and work in the UK under current legislative provisions until 31 December 2020.

EU nationals can therefore still enter the UK after 31 January 2020 if the UK leaves the EU with a deal. All EU nationals who are resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 at the very latest.

It is expected that a new immigration system will be introduced in January 2021 which would also apply to EU nationals entering the UK to live and work.

Key dates – In the event of a deal:

20 December 2019 – Parliament to vote on Withdrawal Agreement

31 January 2020 – UK leaves the EU, signalling the beginning of a transition period to enable the development of an effective deal on trading between the UK and the EU.

30 June 2020 – Deadline for trade deal agreement with EU.

31 December 2020 – Deadline for entering UK for EU citizens who wish to apply to remain  in the UK in accordance with the provisions of the EU Settlement Scheme.

1 January 2021 - New UK immigration system expected to come into force, applies to EU nationals entering the UK after 31 December 2020.

30 June 2021 – EU Settlement Scheme application deadline (for those who entered the UK before 31 December 2020)

In the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit

If the UK leaves the EU on 31 January 2020 without a deal, there will be arrangements for those arriving after Brexit under the European Temporary Leave to Remain Scheme. More information can be found on UKVI – No Deal immigration arrangements for EU citizens arriving after Brexit.

EU nationals who are resident in the UK before 31 January 2020 will have until 31 December 2020 to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme in the event of a no deal Brexit.

Brexit Update

Colleagues and students will be aware of the continued uncertainty over the UK’s relations with the European Union, following the 2016 referendum vote to withdraw from the EU. The Government’s position is that the UK will leave the EU on 31 October 2019 whether or not an agreement has been reached before that date.

Whatever the circumstances of the withdrawal there will be consequences for the University of Glasgow. The Senior Management Group is committed to doing everything possible to protect the interests of our students, staff and the University as a whole and has issued regular bulletins as well as posting advice on the University website. The following points should be noted:

Members of staff from other EU countries

We greatly value the contribution of members of staff from other EU countries, who make up 14% of our workforce. Advice for EU nationals on residency and employment issues is available on the website at:
https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/euinformation/staff/

In particular, EU nationals are invited to consider applying for ‘settled status’ under the EU settlement scheme - help and support is available for those who wish to do so.

EU Students

We are also proud that so many students from other European Union countries choose to study at the University of Glasgow. We welcome the Scottish Government’s confirmation that the fee status of EU students admitted to undergraduate programmes in Scotland in 2019 and 2020 will remain unchanged.

Tier 1 Visas

We welcomed the UK Government’s announcement earlier this month that the cap on Tier 1 ‘exceptional talent’ visas is being abolished. We will share further information on this change of policy when it is available.

Finance & Procurement related issues

Given the potential for disruption to international trade, plans are in place to pre-order essential materials. However, it will obviously not be possible to pre-order perishable goods such as certain gases. Research teams are advised to conduct an inventory of materials they use and to consider the implications for equipment and activities in the event that supplies from EU countries are disrupted.

International Travel

There is the potential for some disruption to travel between the UK and EU countries. Members of staff and students are reminded that, in the event of a no-deal withdrawal, EU countries may not admit individuals with passports which are due to expire within six months of the date of travel. In addition, health insurance may be required for personal travel to other EU countries (members of staff travelling on University business will be covered by University insurance arrangements provided those travelling complete the relevant documentation in advance of their journey).

Research

Members of staff are encouraged to continue applying for European research grants for as along as this opportunity is available to UK universities. We will continue to lobby for the strongest possible involvement in EU research programmes post-withdrawal. We can also rely on UKRI’s commitment to protect funding for successful bids and to introduce replacement schemes if the UK is excluded from EU programmes; we will share more information about these if they are introduced.

Student Mobility

There is little further information to share regarding either the UK’s involvement in Erasmus programmes. In the event of a no-deal withdrawal on 31 October, all student exchanges that have started on or before that date will be guaranteed by the European Commission. Furthermore, Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility (ICM) 2018 and 2019 projects will be guaranteed by the UK government in the event of a no-deal withdrawal.

Advice at this stage is that we should act as if the UK will continue to participate in all Erasmus initiatives; as with research, we will lobby hard as an individual institution and via the relevant national organisations to maintain our involvement in these programmes. If in due course we are excluded from certain initiatives, we will utilise bilateral relationships to maximise collaboration and exchanges with partners in other European countries.

Links with European Partners

Finally, we are working hard to maintain and develop even closer links with partners institutions in other European countries - both through bilateral arrangements (such as those with Leuphana University in Germany and Radboud in the Netherlands) and through the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities (https://www.the-guild.eu/). We will take every opportunity to strengthen those links, to maintain a high-profile in Europe and to emphasise that whatever the political outcome, the University of Glasgow will remain a committed member of the European academic community.

David Duncan
Chief Operating Officer & University Secretary

Dear Colleagues

Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union, we agreed at Senior Management Group that I should update members of staff on the current situation and the actions we are taking in this regard.

Research and exchange programmes

We continue to lobby the UK and Scottish governments and their agencies with a view to preserving the closest possible links with EU research programmes.  This argument is accepted by almost all parties, but in the event of a no-deal withdrawal from the EU, it is likely that UK universities will be excluded from EU programmes, at least temporarily.  If this happens, we will strive to maintain Glasgow’s position as an international University with strong ties in Europe through bilateral arrangements and broader partnerships. 

Tuition fees, visas and funding issues

For the purposes of tuition fees, students from other EU countries who begin their studies in 2019 and 2020 will be treated in the same way as home students for the duration of their degree programmes. We do not yet know what the position will be for EU students who begin degree programmes after 2020. 

As far as visas are concerned, the UK government has indicated that post-Brexit, students from EU countries will be able to apply for three-year study visas.  We have made clear that longer study visas are essential to cater for Scottish undergraduate degrees, which are typically four-year programmes.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the Scottish government will no longer be obliged to grant entry for EU students to Scottish undergraduate programmes on a no-fees basis.  Together with other Scottish universities, we continue to argue that the funds previously allocated to supporting EU undergraduate students in Scotland should remain within the sector.

Whatever the funding regime, we will work hard to attract both undergraduate and postgraduate students from EU countries.  With this in mind, we have allocated some additional resource to enhance our student recruitment capability in Europe.

With regard to the Erasmus+ student mobility programme, the UK government has announced that it will cover the payment of awards to UK applicants for all successful Erasmus+ bids submitted before the end of 2020.  If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, resulting in a loss of EU funding for Erasmus+ projects, the University will be able to make a claim against the UK government’s guarantee.  As with research programmes, we are lobbying for maximum involvement in European mobility programmes post-Brexit. 

Glasgow is also involved in a range of Erasmus Mundus programmes with partners in other EU countries.  The EU has confirmed that any Erasmus Mundus scholarship-holders who have started their joint programme prior to the date of a no-deal Brexit will be able to complete their entire Masters/Doctoral programme, including any ongoing or planned future study at a UK higher education institution in the consortium.  This will apply to all students who are mobile on the date of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, including:

a) Students who are already in the UK on 1 November 2019;

b) Students whose mobility track will take them to a UK HEI at some later point in their Erasmus Mundus programme;

c) UK nationals who are mobile with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship in any partner.

Staff

EU staff make up nearly 15% of our total workforce; they are a vital part of our community and we are committed to doing everything possible to support them. 

Members of staff who are EU nationals may now apply for the right to remain under the EU settlement scheme.  Advice on how to apply is available on the University website.

In addition, it seems highly likely that the UK government will unilaterally grant EU citizens who are already resident in the UK the automatic right to remain – we welcome this commitment.

Looking ahead, regardless of the outcome of the next round of negotiations between the UK and the EU, we will continue to encourage applications for posts from EU nationals at all levels.  Our position remains that barriers to migration should be as low as possible – as a University with a global reputation, we must be able to attract talented people to join our diverse, inclusive community, regardless of nationality. 

Travel

The situation regarding international travel remains unchanged and the advice on the University website remains pertinent.  There may be disruption depending on the way negotiations unfold in the coming weeks – we will update members of staff and students as more information becomes available.

Procurement

The University has been preparing for some months for potential disruption to supplies in the event of a no-deal withdrawal from the EU. While there is limited action we can take regarding products with a short shelf-life, we are as ready as we can be for this eventuality.

In conclusion, I fully appreciate the anxiety that the present state of uncertainty may be causing individuals.  The University of Glasgow stands with staff and students who may be adversely affected by these events and will take all possible steps to support every member of our community.  More generally, we are committed to being an open, inclusive, internationally-minded, European university with the strongest possible ties to partners in other European countries.  I am confident that the University is well placed to deal with any challenges that may arise.

With best wishes

Sir Anton Muscatelli
Principal and Vice Chancellor

22 July 2019

The EU Settlement Scheme opened fully on 30 March 2019. Please see below for full details.

Dear students and colleagues,

As many of you will be aware, the European Union has given the UK a further extension to the Brexit process - until 31^st October.  This is welcome news in that it will prevent the UK from crashing out of the EU without a deal this week, with all the consequences that would bring – although we are no clearer on what will be the eventual terms of departure if Brexit goes ahead as planned.

Despite the extension, I know that many of our EU staff and students will still be feeling deeply anxious about their future in the UK.  I want to assure you all that the University is continuing to lobby as a member of the Russell Group, Universities Scotland and Universities UK - and also as an individual institution to make sure that our views are heard and the interests of the EU nationals who make up our University community are clearly understood.  You have my guarantee that I will continue to speak out where I feel the interests of our staff and students are being jeopardised.

As part of the extension, it is now likely that the UK will take part in the European Parliament elections next month. Should this be the case, it is clearly vital that staff and students make your voices heard to ensure that your priorities are reflected in the campaign.  If you are eligible – as all EU citizens are – you can ensure you are registered to vote here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Throughout the process, we will continue to update information for staff and students who are EU nationals on our web pages.  For students, information can be found here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/euinformation/current%20students/ and more information for staff is available here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/euinformation/staff/. Any staff who wish to make a direct enquiry to HR should not hesitate to get in touch on hr-eurstaffinfo@glasgow.ac.uk.

I was pleased that so many colleagues and students attended our Brexit Open Forum on Tuesday 9 April, and we will plan to do more of these events between now and October.

I also want to reiterate that whatever the outcome of the current political crisis, we will continue to be an institution that welcomes and heralds the contribution our European students and colleagues make to our campus – and the immense social and cultural benefit they bring to our city.

We will remain a bastion of excellence, of multiculturalism and of internationalism and regardless of the outcome of the Brexit process, our European staff, students and alumni – and indeed all of our community that comes here from outside the UK – will always be able to call our campus home.

Yours sincerely,
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli

12 April 2019

A report on Brexit - Contingency Planning written by Dr David Duncan, Chief Operating Officer, can be acccessed here. 

If you are travelling before or immediately after Brexit, and would like a letter confirming your residency and employment status, please contact your local HR Team (contact details below).

The letter can also include details of you pre-Settled or Settled status, if you have obtained this through the EU Settlement Scheme, or details of Permanent Residency if you have been issued with this in the past. 

Please contact your local HR Teams as follows: