EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit

What is the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit

The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Family Permit allows non-UK family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens to join their relatives in the UK. It is designed for those whose family members lived in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The permit makes travelling to or joining them in the UK easier.

The permit is free and typically valid for six months. It allows entry into the UK, where eligible applicants can then apply for pre-settled status.

Requirements for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit

To qualify for an EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Family Permit, you must prove to UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You are a family member of an EEA citizen who holds Settled Status, Pre-Settled Status or has a pending application under the EU Settlement Scheme.
• You are travelling to the UK to join them or will arrive within six months of your application.
• Your family relationship (e.g., marriage, partnership, or dependency) started before 31 December 2020.

Qualifying family members

If you are a family member of an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be eligible for an EUSS Family Permit.

Close Family Members

Qualifying family members include:

• Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner
• Child or grandchild under 21
• Dependent child or grandchild over 21
• Dependent parent or grandparent

Extended Family Members

You may also qualify if you are a family member of your relative’s spouse or civil partner, including:

• Their child or grandchild under 21
• Their dependent child or grandchild over 21
• Their dependent parent or grandparent

Important: If your EU citizen relative moved to the UK after Brexit, you cannot apply under this route unless you qualify through another visa category.

Changes for Family Members of British Citizens

As of 8 August 2023, the EUSS Family Permit is no longer available to:

• Family members of British citizens who previously lived in the EEA or Switzerland under the Surinder Singh route.
• Primary carers of British citizens under the Zambrano route.

Anyone considering these routes must now apply under the UK’s standard family immigration rules. However, those who applied before 8 August 2023 and were granted an EUSS Family Permit can still travel to the UK and apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Relevant EEA Citizens

The family permit enables the holder to join in, or accompany to, their relevant EEA citizen in the UK. A relevant EEA citizen (for applications under Appendix EU (Family Permit) made before 1 July 2021) is someone who:

• Was an EEA citizen and had permission to stay in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), either with Settled Status (Indefinite leave to remain) or Pre-settled Status (Limited leave to remain)
• Still held that status at the time of the decision (i.e., it had not expired, been cancelled, or revoked).
• Would have qualified for settled or pre-settled status under the EUSS if they had applied before 1 July 2021.

Required Documentation

When applying, you must provide proof of your identity, relationship, and family member’s status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Proof of Identity

Provide a valid passport or national ID card if you are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein. If you cannot provide either due to exceptional circumstances, you must explain why and provide supporting evidence.

Proof of Family Member’s Status

You need their 16-digit EUSS application number (found in their confirmation email). If they did not need to apply (e.g., they are a British citizen), you must provide proof that they:

• Lived in the UK by 31 December 2020
• Have maintained continuous residence
• Pass criminal record checks

Proof of Relationship

Spouse or Civil Partner

• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• OR a document proving recognition under EEA regulations (e.g., an EUSS Family Permit or residence card)
• If married to a Swiss national, the deadline to marry was 1 January 2026.

Unmarried Partner

• Evidence of a long-term relationship before 31 December 2020, usually by proving at least 2 years of cohabitation, such as:
  • Joint bank statements, utility bills, tenancy agreements
  • Documents showing joint finances (e.g., tax returns)
  • Birth certificates or custody agreements proving shared parental responsibility

Dependent Child, Grandchild, Parent, or Grandparent

• Birth certificate or other proof of relationship
• If over 21 (for children/grandchildren) or a dependent parent/grandparent, you may also need proof of financial or medical dependency (e.g., bank transfers, medical letters).

Application Fee

An EUSS Family Permit requires no application fee, and you do not need to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge when applying.

Processing Times

Applications are typically processed within a month.

However, it may take longer if additional information is needed. For example, if your documents require verification, you are applying as a minor without an adult, using a paper application, have a criminal record, or are a non-EEA/Swiss citizen applying based on a new relationship.

How to Apply for an EUSS Family Permit

You must apply outside the UK and submit your application online through the UK Visas and Immigration website. Follow these steps:

1. Create an Account
   • Register an email and set up a password to save your application progress.
2. Complete the Online Application
   • Provide personal details and information about your family member in the UK.
3. Upload Required Documents
   • Proof of identity (passport or national ID card).
   • Evidence of your relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, joint bills, birth certificate).
   • Your family member’s 16-digit EUSS reference number (unless they are a British citizen).
4. Book and Attend a Biometrics Appointment
   • If required, visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to submit fingerprints and a photograph.
5. Wait for a Decision
   • Processing times vary, so check the UKVI website for updates.

Post Approval Conditions

Once approved, the EU Settlement Scheme family permit allows you to enter and leave the UK freely while it's valid. You can also work and study in the UK. The permit is valid for up to six months from the date your application is approved.

e-Passport gates

If you have the permit and are from Australia, Canada, the EEA, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, or Switzerland, you can use the e-passport gates at UK airports. Others must see a border control officer for entry checks.

Staying in the UK After EUSS Family Permit Expires

To stay longer than 6 months in the UK, you must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, usually within 3 months of arrival. If you miss the deadline, you may still apply if you can prove ‘reasonable grounds’ for the delay supported by evidence.

• Pre-settled status can be granted if you have lived in the UK for less than five years. This status allows you to remain and later apply for settled status once you reach five years of residency.
• Settled status is granted only if you have lived in the UK for at least five years prior to your application.

Get Help With Your EUSS Family Permit Application

Want to check if you are eligible for an EUSS Family Permit? Speak with our specialist immigration team or complete our enquiry form. We handle every aspect of the application, from eligibility checks and document preparation to submission and correspondence with the Home Office. If you’re not eligible, we’ll help you explore alternative immigration options for you and your family.