EU optometrists living in the UK eligible to apply for settlement

EU citizens working as optometrists in the UK are eligible to apply for settlement under a Government pilot open to health and social care workers.

The scheme allows EU citizens to apply for immigration status that will allow them to live and work in the UK after the end of the planned implementation period for Brexit on 31 December 2020.

A limited pilot testing the functionality of the application process began in August 2018, with staff from 12 NHS trusts and three universities in the North West eligible to apply.

The second phase of the pilot will test the full application process.

On 29 November 2018, EU citizens working in the health and social care sectors became eligible to apply for settlement.

Staff in the higher education sector and some vulnerable individuals also became eligible to apply in the middle of November.

At this stage, family members cannot apply under the pilot. However, they will become eligible from 30 March 2019 when the scheme opens up to all EU citizens living in the UK.