NEARLY 5,000 EU nationals in the Braintree district have been granted permission to stay in the UK after Brexit.

Home Office data shows 4,910 EU citizens had successfully applied to continue living in the district by June 30 – the deadline for new applications imposed by the Government following Brexit.

The EU Settlement scheme was launched in March 2019 to regulate the immigration status of European citizens who live in the UK.

Around 580 applications were submitted in the last three months of the scheme being open – 11 per cent of all requests received in Braintree.

EU citizens with limited reasonable grounds for missing the June deadline can still apply to secure their rights.

Those who have lived in the UK for five years and meet the criteria, can receive settled status and remain in the country indefinitely.

Others who have lived in the country for less time can receive pre-settled status, which allows them to remain for a further five years. They can later apply for settled status.

Some citizens who are not from the European Economic Area, may also qualify for the scheme, for example if they are family members of EU citizens living in the UK.

Between the launch of the scheme and the deadline, a total of 5,090 applications were dealt with in Braintree, with 3,480 people granted settled status and 1,430 pre-settled status.

Around ​180 applications were refused, withdrawn or invalid.

The highest number of applications received came from Poland (1,810), Romania (1,030) and Portugal (510).

Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.