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Applying to the Windrush Schemes from outside the UK

Applying for Windrush Schemes from abroad is possible surely for the short time. In other words, the eligible candidates can also apply for the UK’S EU Settlemtns Scheme even if they are not living in the UK in certain circumstances. Since the general deadlines have been reached for applying EUSS, now the EU citizens will be required to hold an ID issued by the UK government instead of showing the EU ID or Passport. The UK has been able to secure the rights of more than 6 million EU citizens. A total of 5.4 million applicants are granted status.

1- Windrush Compensation Scheme

Eligibility criteria to submit a claim while living abroad

You will be eligible to submit a claim if you are:

  • Someone having commonwealth citizenship but the date of your settlement in the Uk must be before 1st January 1973;
  • Someone close to the one who has the property in the UK. After his/her death you will be eligible to claim on his/her behalf;
  • A family member of the person living in the state who has faced major monetary issues. You will be eligible to claim by providing all the pieces of evidence of that issue. Furthermore, you can apply until and unless this issue is affecting your life. 

The information published on 24 June 2021 reveals that from these above-mentioned eligible people a total of 139 applications have been submitted from overseas.

UK secures the rights of millions of EU citizens through EU Settlement Scheme

The legal lawful status of claimants

The criteria for the legal lawful status of claimants are given below:

  • For those having commonwealth citizenship and their settlement date is before 1st January 1973, there is no requirement to have a legal lawful status. The basic requirement for them is just to verify that their settlement date in the UK is before 1st January 1973;
  • For the family members who are from the side of the dead one having the property in the UK, there too will be no requirement of legal lawful status.  

Procedure for submitting a claim while living abroad

There are two following ways to submit the claim:

(a) Online Submission

There is an open form available on the internet:

(b) By post submission

  • First, you will have to print the claim form available on the internet.
  • Second, Fill it carefully.
  • Finally, post it to the address, PO Box 3468, Sheffield S3 8WA, United Kingdom.

(C) Claim forms

There are 3 different types of forms available to apply for the claim. These are if you are the main applicant, applying as a family member or applying through a representative:

(d) Fee for Claim

The claimants will have to pay the post charges if he/she sends the claim via post. In case, their claim is verified successfully then the authorities will pay him the charges back. So, to keep the receipt of post charges safe is a must.

Guidance available for the claimants from overseas

There is a dedicated team for your support. You can ask them questions about filling in the application form, required documents, or any other support regarding your application either online or on paper. Even if you’re not fluent in English, you will still get support too.

Contact detail of Windrush team:

  • Availability time – Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm (UK time);
  •  Contact no – 0800 678 1925 ( the charges will be applied if you makes a call from overseas);

2- Windrush Scheme 

Eligibility criteria to apply while living abroad

You can apply to the Windrush Scheme if you are:

  • Someone having commonwealth citizenship. But the date of your settlement in the Uk must be before 1st January 1973;
  • Someone having eligibility to live in the state. For this, the necessary documentation is must prove your eligibility;
  • Someone living in the UK, but had left the state before the maximum of two years. He/ she can apply for a returning resident visa to cross the border of the UK.

The information published on 27th May 2021 revealed that 237 applicants from abroad have received the documents via Windrush Scheme. 

Options for the ineligible individuals

If you cannot fulfill the criteria of eligibility to apply to the Windrush scheme, then don’t worry there are several options available for you. The detailed information about visas is on GOV.UK. You can check it out. 

You can apply for the following visas to cross the border of the UK:

  • Standard Visitor Visa
  • Student Visa
  • Short-term Study Visa
  • Marriage Visitor Visa
  • Work Visa
  • Returning Visitor Visa
  • Family Visa

The procedure for applying for Windrush Scheme

The procedure to apply for the Windrush Scheme for everyone, including those who are overseas, is online. The online application form is here.

The guidance available for the applicants from overseas

For the guidance of applicants from overseas, the Windrush offers the Windrush team and Vulnerable Person Team (VPT).  

Contact details

The contact information of them is:

  • Availability time – Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm (UK time);
  •  Contact no – 0800 678 1925 ( the charges will be applied if you makes a call from overseas);

The Vulnerable Person Team:

The Vulnerability Person Team (VPT) will be available if you are facing any issues regarding vulnerability and safeguarding. This team can provide you the guidance on an urgent basis after your contact with them. The VPT can help to handle the process of both the Windrush scheme and the Windrush compensation scheme.

The guidance that VPT provides to applicants from overseas:

They can guide you for the issues given below, they will help:

  • to return back to the UK if you do not have any option other than their support. They will also cover your traveling and residential management;
  • someone who needs the support on an urgent basis. They assure that they will respond right after their contact with the applicant;
  • for support to the applicants who really need it.