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The government today confirmed the application fee EU citizens will have to pay if they want to stay in Britain after Brexit.

EU citizens who live in the UK will pay a one-off charge of £65, or £32.50 for children under 16, to apply for 'settled status'.

Children in care will have their applications handled for free.

Those who already have permanent residence or indefinite leave to remain documents will also be processed for free.

The confirmation today came as the government unveiled more details of its arrangement for 3.4million EU citizens who already live in the UK.

(Image: AFP)

All EU citizens already in Britain by the end of 2020 will be allowed to stay, but only once they undergo a process with the Home Office.

Those who have been in the country for five years can apply for "settled status" - meaning they are free to continue living and working in the UK.

People who arrive by December 31, 2020, but do not have five years' residence, can apply for "pre-settled status".

That will allow them to stay until they reach the five-year mark, at which they will then apply again for settled status.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said the EU Settlement Scheme would be "simple and straightforward" adding: "We will be looking to grant, not for reasons to refuse."

All applicants will have to fulfil three conditions - proving their identity, showing they are resident in the UK, and declaring any criminal convictions.

(Image: PA)

All those over the age of 10 will be checked against police databases and watch lists.

Immigration minister Caroline Nokes insisted the "overwhelming majority" of people will be allowed to stay, adding: "We are not concerned here with minor offences."

The Home Office - which has presided over bungles including the Windrush scandal - immediately faced questions about whether it will process enough people in time.

Some 1,500 Home Office staff will work on the project when it rolls out from Autumn this year - double the current number.

But Ms Nokes insisted: "We are not anticipating failure."

The scheme will close to applications on 30 June 2021.