The eu settlement scheme family permit is a free UK entry visa for certain non-UK family members of qualifying EU, EEA, Swiss and some British or Northern Irish citizens. It must usually be applied for from outside the UK, is time-limited (typically 4 to 6 months), and serves as a route to then apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for pre settled or settled status.
Relationships must generally have existed before 31 December 2020, and several routes such as most Surinder Singh and Zambrano cases closed to new applications in August 2023. There is no application fee or immigration health charge, but refusals remain common where evidence of relationship, residence or dependency is weak.
Salam Immigration’s specialist solicitors can assess eligibility, prepare applications, and challenge refusals of an eu settlement scheme family permit. In this guide, we will cover its eligibility rules, the application process, your rights after arrival, and how we can assist you through every step.
What is EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Family Permit?
The eu settlement scheme family permit is a UK entry clearance allowing eligible family members of qualifying sponsors to travel to and enter the UK. Once here, holders can then apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for either pre settled status or settled status. This permit emerged directly from the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement following Brexit, which preserved free movement rights for those with established connections to the UK by 31 December 2020.
Sponsors are usually EU, EEA or Swiss nationals who were living in the UK by that date. Additionally, certain British and Irish citizens from Northern Ireland qualify as sponsors under this scheme. The permit normally allows multiple entries to the UK for a limited period. The EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit is valid for 6 months from the date of issue, allowing the holder to enter the UK, work, and study during this time.
It is important to understand that the euss family permit differs from the now-closed eea family permit route. The settlement scheme family permit does not itself grant pre settled or settled status. Instead, it provides a bridge for family members to enter the UK and subsequently apply for longer-term immigration status.
Who Can Apply for EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit?
Eligibility for the eu settlement scheme family permit depends on both the sponsor’s status and the nature of the family relationship. To be eligible, applicants must be family members of someone from an eu country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein who started living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
Relevant EEA citizens and Swiss nationals: These sponsors must have been resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 and hold, or be eligible for, pre settled or settled status under the eu settlement scheme. A relevant eea citizen includes nationals from EU member states, while swiss nationals and eea citizens from Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein also qualify. Some individuals may be considered relevant eea citizens if they meet specific residence requirements.
Eligible persons of Northern Ireland: Family members of eligible persons of Northern Ireland can apply for the settlement scheme family permit if their family member is an Irish, British, or dual British and Irish citizen born in Northern Ireland. The sponsor must have had at least one parent who was British, Irish, dual citizenship holders, or otherwise free from immigration control at birth.
Direct family members eligible to apply include:
- Spouse or civil partner where the family relationship began prior to 31 December 2020
- Durable partner with evidence of cohabitation for at least two years
- Dependent children under 21, including stepchildren and adopted children
- Dependent parent or grandparent proving financial reliance
- Great grandchild or great grandparent in limited circumstances
Close family members, including spouses, civil partners, children, and dependent parents, can apply if they can prove their relationship existed prior to 31 December 2020. Non-EEA citizens can apply to join or accompany a close family member who is a relevant eea citizen or an eligible person of Northern Ireland.
For example, a Brazilian wife of a German citizen with pre settled status, married in 2019, would typically qualify. The joining family member would need to provide the marriage certificate and evidence of the sponsor’s status.
Extended family members such as siblings or cousins face significant restrictions. Most new applications are no longer possible because the deadline passed on 30 June 2021, except for limited late-application situations where they already held a residence card by 31 December 2020.
Eligibility Rules and Closed Routes
The Home Office has tightened eligibility for an eu settlement scheme family permit since 2021, and some routes are now entirely closed. Understanding these changes is essential before applying.
The family relationship must have existed before 31 December 2020, with exceptions for children born or adopted after this date. Applicants must demonstrate the sponsor was living in the UK by that date, or was a frontier worker regularly commuting to the UK. Both parties must have intended to continue the relationship and residence in the UK.
Surinder Singh and Zambrano routes: These pathways allowed family members of british citizen sponsors returning from EEA employment, or primary carers of British children, to apply under the eea family permit route. However, new eu settlement scheme family permit applications under these routes closed on 8 August 2023. Following persons who submitted prior to this date may still rely on them, but fresh claims are no longer accepted.
Late applications to the eu settlement scheme may still be considered where there are reasonable grounds for missing the original 30 June 2021 deadline. Common acceptable reasons include serious illness, bad legal advice, or circumstances beyond the applicant’s control. This often interacts with family permit applications where pending applications exist.
Application Process for an EUSS Family Permit
Applications for an eu settlement scheme family permit can only be made from outside the UK, via the official GOV.UK platform (do-follow). The eu settlement scheme application must be made online and is free of charge.
The main procedural steps are:
- Complete the online application form with details about yourself, your sponsor, and your relationship
- Book a biometric appointment at a visa application centre in your country
- Upload or present supporting documents at your appointment
- Await a decision from uk visas and Immigration
Key evidence types required include:
| Document Type | Examples |
| Sponsor’s identity and status | Passport, national ID card, digital status screenshot or share code |
| Proof of relationship | Marriage certificate, birth certificate, civil partner certificate |
| Evidence of cohabitation | Joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, bank statements over two years |
| Dependency proof (if applicable) | Bank transfers, remittance records, financial statements |
When applying for the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit, applicants must include English translations of any documents that are in another language. Evidence of the relationship and proof that the EU citizen lives in the UK are required. Missing documents are one of the most common UK visa rejection reasons.
Processing times typically average 3 to 8 weeks, though delays can extend to several months during busy periods. Applicants should avoid booking non-refundable travel until a decision is issued.
It is free to apply for EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit, with no application fee charged by the Home Office. Applicants are not required to pay the immigration health charge. However, costs for biometric appointments, certified translations, and courier services remain the applicant’s responsibility.
Warning: Incomplete or inconsistent evidence often leads to refusal. Professional legal advice from firms like Salam Immigration can significantly reduce this risk by ensuring applications satisfy uk visas requirements.
Rights, Conditions and Next Steps After Arrival
Once an eu settlement scheme family permit is granted, the holder can come to the uk and must enter before the permit expires. The permit is typically valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
During the permit’s validity, the person can generally work, study, and rent accommodation in the UK. Employers and landlords will conduct right to work and right to rent checks, so holders should keep copies of their permit and passport readily available. The EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit does not grant the right to claim benefits or receive housing assistance in the UK. These rights may be obtained upon applying for pre settled or settled status.
The permit is temporary. If a family member wishes to stay in the UK beyond the validity of their scheme family permit, they must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for pre settled or settled status within 3 months of arrival. This is the critical next step that secures longer-term immigration status.
Understanding the difference between status types:
- Pre settled status: Normally a 5-year grant for those with less than 5 continuous years’ residence in the UK
- Settled status: Indefinite leave to remain for those with 5 or more years’ continuous residence
If a family member’s EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit expires before they receive a decision on their application for pre settled or settled status, they can use their application certificate to prove their rights in the UK.
If the permit expires before the person travels or applies to the scheme, they may need to make a fresh eu settlement scheme family permit application. Late applications face higher scrutiny and require demonstrating reasonable grounds for delay.
Dependent children under 21 or dependent parents and grandparents may also apply for the EUSS Family Permit if they meet the eligibility criteria alongside the main applicant.
Remember to keep evidence of residence in the UK, including payslips, council tax bills, and tenancy agreements, as these records may later support applications for EEA permanent residence or other long-term status where relevant. These documents support any future extension, settled status application, or eventual path toward gaining british citizenship.
How Salam Immigration Can Help
Salam Immigration is a specialist UK immigration law firm based in London, focusing on bespoke, client-centred advice across family, business, and settlement matters. We have particular expertise in the UK immigration services, eu settlement scheme family permit, and related family routes.
Our experienced immigration solicitors keep up to date with fast-changing rules on the eu settlement and family permit requirements. We offer detailed eligibility assessments before any application is submitted. Services provided include:
- Checking whether your sponsor qualifies as a relevant eea citizen, swiss citizen, or eligible person of Northern Ireland
- Advising on the correct category, whether a family permit or other family visas such as those under Appendix FM
- Preparing and reviewing supporting evidence including relationship proof and dependency documentation
- Drafting legal representations for complex cases
- Responding to Home Office requests for further information or other evidence
Salam Immigration emphasises clear communication, fixed-fee or transparent pricing, and culturally sensitive support for clients from diverse backgrounds. Whether you hold Irish citizenship, eea or swiss citizenship, or are joining family members from any nationality, our team provides tailored guidance.
Ready to apply? Contact Salam Immigration for advice on your eu settlement scheme family permit application, appeal, or any questions about your immigration status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch to an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit from within the UK?
The eu settlement scheme family permit is primarily an entry clearance route which must be applied for from outside the UK. People already in the UK usually need to explore either a direct EU Settlement Scheme application if eligible, or another immigration category. In-country switching to this permit is not possible.
What if my relationship started after 31 December 2020?
Most settlement scheme family permit routes require the family relationship to have existed by 31 December 2020. Partners who met later will usually need to consider alternative visas such as a spouse or partner visa under Appendix FM, which involves different financial requirements and the immigration health charge. Eea or swiss citizen sponsors cannot use this route for post-2020 relationships.
Can my child born after 31 December 2020 be included?
Children born after 31 December 2020 to parents with pre settled or settled status can often be added to the EU Settlement Scheme directly without needing a separate family permit. The exact route depends on the parents’ status and nationality at the time of birth, and whether the child was born in the UK or abroad.
What happens if my EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit is refused?
Refusal can arise from doubts about the relationship, dependency, or sponsor’s status. Applicants may reapply with stronger evidence, seek an administrative review within 28 days, or in some cases lodge an appeal or judicial review. Working with an immigration solicitor like those at Salam Immigration can help identify weaknesses and submit applications that satisfy requirements.
Does holding an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit count towards British citizenship?
Time spent in the UK on an eu settlement scheme family permit alone does not usually count towards the residence requirement for british citizenship. However, time spent after being granted pre settled or settled status can form part of the qualifying residence period. The standard requirement is 5 years of lawful residence, subject to absence limits and good character rules. Held british status through naturalisation remains possible after meeting these criteria.
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