Article 50 Vote by the House of Lords Favours Protecting EU Nationals in the UK

The House of Lords Article 50 vote went in favour of protecting the rights of EU nationals living in the UK. The House of Lords voted to amend the Government’s Article 50 bill, showing that the Lords believe the rights of EU nationals after Brexit is an issue that needs to be sorted out as soon as possible.

House of Lords Article 50 Vote
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What was the House of Lords Article 50 Vote about?

After the Brexit referendum in June of 2016, the Government imposed an end of March deadline to pass the Article 50 bill that will start the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU. The draft of the Article 50 bill passed through the House of Commons without any amendments, despite the bill not offering any guarantee of the rights of EU nationals currently living in the United Kingdom. The House of Lords Article 50 vote was in favour of making amendments in order to protect the rights of EU nationals in the United Kingdom.

Despite Government protestations to the contrary, it seems that the House of Lords took a dim view of the lack of protection the draft Article 50 bill afforded to EU nationals living in the United Kingdom. Whilst the Government is adamant that they are concerned for the rights of EU nationals, the lack of protection in the Article 50 bill was telling; the House of Lords Article 50 vote shows EU nationals living in the United Kingdom are an issue the Lords consider to be of greater importance than does the Government.

What will be the impact of the House of Lords Article 50 Vote on the immigration status of EU nationals living in the UK?

The House of Lords Article 50 vote to guarantee the rights of EU nationals living in the United Kingdom was passed by 358 to 256. The next stage will be for the bill to return to the House of Commons, where it is possible that the amendments will be removed. The Government knew that the House of Lords Article 50 vote was likely to go against them, though in their view they felt it was best not to guarantee the rights of EU nationals living here before those of United Kingdom nationals living in the EU are themselves guaranteed. This is the negotiating strategy the Government has taken, and means that the uncertainty regarding the status of EU nationals living in the United Kingdom is likely to continue.

Whether the Government is able to meet their self-imposed deadline of March remains to be seen, but the House of Lords Article 50 vote illustrates that the rights of EU nationals remains an issue, one that the House of Lords is making a priority – and that they trying to pressure the Government into making it a priority also.  For EU nationals currently living in the United Kingdom, this uncertainty means that confirming your status to live and work here should be seen as a point of urgency.

Using Legal Representation to Apply for Permanent Residence or EEA Family Permit

Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration status. It is possible to instruct an immigration and visa legal representative to submit a Permanent Residence or EEA Family Permit application.

Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your application succeeds, all necessary documents must be provided.

This can be a significant administrative task and you will need to submit the correct documentary evidence. The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.

Successful Permanent Residence and EEA Family Permit Applications

Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your immigration status and the merit of your visa and immigration application before your matter even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation of your immigration and visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.

We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients.  We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.

Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation.

Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.

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