Figures show that nearly 10,000 EU citizens have been granted residence permits in Wigan.
The3Million, who campaigns for EU citizens’ rights, is concerned about the hundreds of thousands of people still waiting to find out if they can continue to live in the UK after Brexit.
The Ministry of Interior data shows that 9,960 EU citizens will be living by the age of 30.
The EU settlement program launched in March 2019 to regulate the immigration status of European citizens living in the UK.
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Around 1,530 applications were received in the last three months of the program: 13 percent of all applications were received in Wigan.
Most of the applications came from citizens of Romania (2,810), Poland (2,760) and Lithuania (870).
EU citizens with limited valid reasons for missing the June deadline can still claim their rights.
Those who have lived in the UK for five years and who meet the criteria can be granted settlement status and stay in the country indefinitely. Others who have lived in the country for less time may be given pre-settlement status, which allows them to stay for an additional five years. You can apply for settled status later.
Between the start of the program and the expiry of the deadline, Wigan processed a total of 10,480 applications, of which 5,740 people were granted settlement status and 4,220 were granted temporary settlement status. Around 520 applications were either rejected, withdrawn or invalid.
The3Million said even though millions of applications were processed under the EU Settlement Scheme, nearly half a million people were still waiting for a decision.
A spokesman said: “It is unlikely that this backlog will be reduced anytime soon as decision-making is slowing.
“The program will continue to receive new applications from vulnerable citizens who missed the deadline, as well as those transitioning from pre-settlement to settlement status and joining family members.
“It is therefore vital that the government commit to a long-term plan to support all applicants.”
