Family Permit EU
EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Family Permit allows eligible non-UK nationals to join or accompany close family members in the UK. This route is primarily for relatives of EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who established their rights of residence in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020.
Family permits are also available to relatives of British citizens under very specific and limited circumstances, such as in “Lounes” cases, and to family members of eligible persons of Northern Ireland.
At LawSentis, we provide specialist legal support to ensure families remain together and secure their rights under the current UK immigration system.
The Difference Between Family Visas and Family Permits
Since the UK left the EU in 2020, the options for family members of EU nationals have changed
The correct route depends on when your relationship was established:
- EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit – This is a free entry clearance for close family members if your relationship (marriage, civil partnership, or dependent relationship) began before 31 December 2020.
- UK Family Visa routes (Appendix FM) – These standard, paid visa routes are required if your relationship was established after 31 December 2020.
Importantly: The EUSS Family Permit does not cover extended family members, such as siblings. It applies to close family members including spouses, civil partners, dependent parents, and dependent children.
Family Permit EUSS Requirements
To qualify for an EUSS Family Permit, you must be outside the UK and
- Be joining or accompanying your EU, EEA, or Swiss family member (or a British citizen in a specific case) who holds settled status, pre-settled status, or a pending EUSS application.
- Your family relationship must have existed before 31 December 2020 (unless you are a child born to or adopted by your family member after this date).
Purpose and Benefits of the Family Permit
To qualify for an EUSS Family Permit, you must be outside the UK and
A family permit is an entry clearance, not a long-term visa
- Travel in and out of the UK freely.
- Work and study without restriction during this period.
- Enter and live in the UK for up to six months.
You must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once inside the UK if you wish to stay long-term. Without a valid family permit, you may be refused boarding by an airline or denied entry to the UK upon arrival.
Applying to the EU Settlement Scheme
After arriving in the UK on a family permit, you must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to obtain pre-settled or settled status.
You can apply to the EUSS directly from outside the UK only if:
- You are an EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic, or Liechtenstein citizen with a valid biometric passport or ID card
- You are a non-EU citizen who already holds a UK-issued biometric residence card (BRC) that expired less than 18 months ago.
Otherwise, you must first secure a family permit to enter the UK, and then apply for settled or pre-settled status from within the country.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility for the EUSS Family Permit depends on your specific relationship and circumstances. The most common qualifying groups are outlined below.
Family Members of EU, EEA, or Swiss Nationals
You may qualify if you are a close family member and your EU/EEA/Swiss family member
- Was living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
- Has settled or pre-settled status.
- You are their spouse, civil partner, dependent child, or dependent parent.
You may also qualify under special circumstances:
- Frontier workers: Your family member lives outside the UK but works here regularly.
- Lounes cases: Your family member is now a British citizen but previously exercised EU free movement rights in the UK.
If your qualifying family member has died, left the UK, or your relationship has broken down, you may still be eligible under the ‘retained right of residence’ rules.
Family Members of Eligible Persons of Northern Ireland
You may qualify if your family member is an eligible person of Northern Ireland. This means they were born in Northern Ireland and, at the time of their birth, at least one of their parents was a British, Irish, or dual citizen, or otherwise settled in the UK.
Family Members of British Citizens – 'Surinder Singh' Route (Important Update)
The formal deadline for most ‘Surinder Singh’ applications was 29 March 2022.
As of August 8, 2023, the Home Office has closed this route for new applications.
If you lived with a British citizen in an EU/EEA/Swiss country before 31 December 2020, you may only be able to apply for a Family Permit now if you already have a pending or granted application from before the August 2023 closure.
If you have “reasonable grounds” for a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme itself (not the Family Permit), you may still be able to apply for status from within the UK, but this is a complex legal area.
Fees
Applications for the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit are free of charge.
How LawSentis Helps with EUSS Family Permits
At LawSentis, we assist families in securing their right to live together in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Our services include:
- Professional application drafting and submission.
- Full document review and preparation to meet the strict Home Office requirements.
- Assistance with complex cases, including those requiring evidence of "reasonable grounds" for late applications.
- Strategic advice on the process of switching from a Family Permit to pre-settled or settled status once in the UK.
- Expert advice on eligibility and which route applies (EUSS Family Permit, a standard Family Visa, or another route).
We combine legal accuracy with clear, practical support, ensuring your family can reunite and build a future in the UK with confidence.
Contact LawSentis today for tailored guidance on your EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit application
Frequently Asked Questions
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