On Friday 18th October 2019, the EU Exit: ID Document Check App became available for some IPhone users. Up until this point, the App, which is used to complete the identity stage of an application under the EU Settlement Scheme, was only compatible with Android phones. The App is now available for IPhone 8 and newer models. The Home Office has advised that the App will become available on the IPhone 7 and 7 plus in due course following an upcoming software update from Apple.
This will come as welcome news for many EEA nationals and their family members who wish to apply for pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. There are two stages to most applications under the EU Settlement Scheme: an identity check and thereafter an online application form. The EU Exit: ID Document Check App verifies that an applicant’s identity document is genuine and that it belongs to the applicant. In order to use the App, the applicant must have an EEA biometric passport or, if the applicant is a non EU Family Member of a EEA citizen, a UK Biometric Residence Card.
As part of the identity check, the applicant must scan their passport or Biometric Residence Card and take a selfie to scan their face.
Once the identity check has been completed, an applicant can move forward to fill out the online application form. For those applicants who cannot use the EU Exit: ID Document Check App then they will have to have their identity verified in another way, for example by sending their original document to the Home Office.
Ahead of Brexit, our immigration team is assisting a number of EEA nationals and their family members with applications under the EU Settlement Scheme. Please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the team if you would like to discuss this further.