EU Settlement Scheme For Family

Application is made online. When you apply you will need:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of your residence in the UK, unless you have a valid permanent residence document or Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.

EU/EEA and Swiss citizens can use the EU Exit App to prove identity when applying for Pre-Settled or Settled Status. The process will involve taking a photograph of yourself and your passport. The App reads the biometric chip in your passport, and provides information for Home Office to check. 

After you have applied:

Upon successful application, you will receive an email confirmation on whether you have received Settled or Pre-Settled Status. After 12 months of receiving the status, you should be able to apply for British Citizenship. If your application is unsuccessful, you are free to reapply or contact assistance.

You can apply for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit to come to the UK if all of the following are true:

• you’re the eligible family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, or a ‘person of Northern Ireland’
• your family relationship began by 31 December 2020
• your family member was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
• your family member is in the UK already or traveling with you to the UK within 6 months of your application

Family Permits are also issued to persons seeking entry to the UK through ‘Surinder Singh’ criteria.

The main requirement of a Family Permit is: the person accompanying you or the person you’ll be joining in the UK is from the European Economic Area (EEA) but not the UK and you are a non-EU/EEA national (Spouse is considered as EU citizen under Surinder Singh Family Permit application).

There are now 2 main types of Family Permits: 

(1) the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit (EUSS):

Apply for the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit if you’re the close family member of an EEA or Swiss national and they have ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ status under the EU Settlement Scheme. You must be a ‘close’ family member, such as a spouse, civil partner, dependent child or dependent parent. A full list of who can join can be found by clicking on this link– who must meet the eligibility criteria.

(2) the EEA Family Permit.

Apply for the EEA Family Permit if you’re a close or extended family member of an EEA or Swiss national. You can be a close or ‘extended’ family member – for example a brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, nephew or niece. This scheme will end on the 30 June 2021. You may be able to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK after 30 June 2021

Both Family Permits are free. EEA family permits are usually valid for 6 months. However, they will not be valid after 30 June 2021, even if there is time left on the permit.

An EUSS Family Permit is valid for 6 months, unless:

• you plan to arrive in the UK on or after 1 April 2021
• your application is approved more than three months ahead of your planned arrival date

In this case, it’s valid for 4 months from your planned arrival date.

If your eligible family member was living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living here after your family permit runs out.

If they came to the UK on or after 1 January 2021, you’ll usually need to apply for a visa to live, work or study.

If your family members have not yet arrived in the UK- you can by clicking on this link, check if they can come to the UK.