Town Hall checking and copying service for European nationals living in Wandsworth
The council now offers a European Passport Return Service (EPRS) so that European nationals living in Wandsworth can keep hold of their passports when applying to the Home Office for a registration certificate or a document certifying permanent residence.
The service is available to European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals once they have applied online to the Home Office. It can also be used for family members (of any nationality) who are included in the application.
The service allows eligible residents to bring their passports to the town hall to be verified and copied, and the council will then send copies to the Home Office.
It can only be used to verify and copy passports to submit with online applications. National identity cards and other supporting evidence must be submitted as originals only.
To take advantage of the service you first need to complete your online application form to the Home Office and after that, fill out the online form on the council website to make your appointment.
Once your passport(s) have been verified and sent off the council will not have any further role in your application and all further enquiries should be directed to the Home Office.
The launch of the new passport return service comes after council leader Ravi Govindia calls for 'absolute clarity' to be given as Brexit negotiations continue over their future status in the UK. In a letter to Theresa May, Cllr Govindia urged the Prime Minister to make this aspect of the on-going EU negotiations her top priority.
The Government has published a white paper setting out an offer for UK based EU citizens to continue living here as they do now, with continuing rights to healthcare, education, benefits and pensions. These terms are now being negotiated with member states of the EU.
While talks continue Cllr Govindia has instructed council officers to work with Citizens Advice Wandsworth to develop a new specialist advice service for local European citizens to provide guidance on how the Government’s proposals could affect them.
For more information on council services and support for European nationals visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/eusupport
August 18, 2017