The government has opened four new locations where EU citizens applying for settled status in the UK can scan their identity documents.
During the ongoing testing phase of the settlement scheme, applicants do not have the option of posting their passports for verification. This means that, to complete an application, those who do not possess and cannot otherwise access an Android device must currently visit one of a number of locations set up by the government to offer document-scanning services.
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When pilots of the settlement scheme launched in November, 13 locations were opened across the UK – mostly in register offices. Document-scanning centres were established in Belfast, Edinburgh, Stockton-on-Tees, Hull, Lincoln, Sale, West Bromwich, Caerphilly, Bath, Hatfield, Southampton, and two in London: in Hackney; and Southwark.
A further four locations have now been added to the list – including two more in the West Midlands: Dudley; and Warwick. The North East also gets another facility, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. London now houses three, following the opening of a centre near Euston.
Once the scheme launches in full, which is scheduled to take place on 28 March, the government plans to establish a network of about 50 centres nationwide.