EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit Explained

The EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit allows defined family members of EUSS Settled or Pre-Settled Status holders to travel to the UK. The permit is the equivalent of an entry clearance and is used to come to the UK and then apply for status under the EUSS. This article covers the eligibility and process.

Who can use the permit

Family members of EU Settlement Scheme Settled or Pre-Settled Status holders. Family members include spouses, civil partners, durable partners, children under 21, dependent children over 21, dependent parents and grandparents, and certain other relatives.

Relationship requirements

The relationship must typically have existed before 31 December 2020. Specific exceptions apply for children born after that date and for some other categories. Durable partner relationships require evidence of cohabitation or other indicia of a long-term relationship.

Application process

The permit application is made from outside the UK via the GOV.UK application service. The applicant provides evidence of the qualifying family relationship and of the sponsor's EUSS status. Biometric enrolment is completed at a visa application centre in the country of application.

Duration and use

The permit is valid for 6 months from issue and allows entry to the UK. Once in the UK, the holder must apply for status under the EUSS in their own right. Failure to apply within the validity period can affect the holder's right to remain.

After arrival

After arrival, the family member applies for EUSS status (Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status as appropriate). The application is made online via the same EUSS service used for the original applications.

Who can use the permit in detail

Family members of EU Settlement Scheme Settled or Pre-Settled Status holders can use the permit. The 'family member' definition includes: spouses; civil partners; durable partners; children under 21; dependent children over 21; dependent parents and grandparents; certain other relatives.

For relationships formed before 31 December 2020 (the EUSS qualifying date), the EUSS family member rules typically apply. For relationships formed after that date, the standard UK family visa rules typically apply instead.

The 'durable partner' category typically requires evidence of long-term cohabitation (usually 2+ years) or other indicia of a long-term committed relationship. The evidence requirements are specific.

For dependent parents and grandparents, the dependency must be substantive. Financial dependency, medical dependency, or other forms of substantive dependency are considered.

For other family members in specific circumstances (such as adult children with disabilities), case-by-case consideration applies. Specialist legal advice can confirm whether a specific relationship qualifies.

Relationship requirements in detail

The relationship must typically have existed before 31 December 2020. Specific exceptions apply for children born after that date and for some other categories. The pre-31 December 2020 relationship is the key qualifying condition.

Durable partner relationships require evidence of cohabitation or other indicia of a long-term relationship. The evidence typically includes: joint tenancy agreements; joint bank accounts; joint bills; photographs spanning the relationship; correspondence and communications.

For relationships where cohabitation evidence is limited (such as couples who lived apart due to immigration constraints), alternative evidence may be considered. Specialist legal advice can identify the available evidence.

For relationships formed during the relevant period but not formalised (such as couples who married after the date), specific provisions may apply. The Home Office's guidance addresses various scenarios.

For children of EUSS holders born after the relevant date, the EUSS family routes still apply. The child's birth to an EUSS holder qualifies for the family route regardless of birth date.

Application process in detail

The permit application is made from outside the UK via the GOV.UK application service. The applicant provides evidence of the qualifying family relationship and of the sponsor's EUSS status. Biometric enrolment is completed at a visa application centre in the country of application.

The application form requires: applicant's personal details; sponsor's details and EUSS status; evidence of the family relationship; details of the planned UK travel.

Supporting documents typically include: applicant's passport; sponsor's EUSS confirmation (or share code); evidence of the relationship (marriage certificate, evidence of cohabitation, etc.); evidence of any dependency where relevant.

Biometric enrolment captures fingerprints and a photograph at the local visa application centre. The biometric data supports the permit issuance.

Standard processing varies; many permits are issued within weeks. Complex cases (such as those with limited documentation) may take longer.

Duration and use in detail

The permit is valid for 6 months from issue and allows entry to the UK. The 6-month validity is for entry; once in the UK, the family member's status continues based on their own EUSS application.

The permit is a single-entry document in some cases; multiple-entry permits may also be issued. The specific terms are on the permit itself.

Once in the UK, the holder must apply for status under the EUSS in their own right. The application is via the standard EUSS online service.

Failure to apply within the validity period can affect the holder's right to remain. The family permit provides entry; the substantive UK status requires the separate EUSS application.

For family members planning longer-term UK residence, applying for EUSS promptly after entry establishes the substantive status. The EUSS Pre-Settled or Settled Status determines the long-term UK rights.

After arrival in the UK

After arrival, the family member applies for EUSS status (Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status as appropriate). The application is made online via the same EUSS service used for the original applications.

For family members with 5+ years of UK residence with the EU citizen sponsor (which is unusual for newly arrived family members), Settled Status may apply. For most newly arrived family members, Pre-Settled Status is the typical outcome with the path to Settled Status after 5 years.

The application is free. The required evidence includes the same family relationship evidence used for the family permit application. The biometric data from the family permit application may carry over.

During the EUSS application processing, the family member has the right to live and work in the UK based on the family permit and pending application. The application is typically processed within weeks.

Once EUSS status is granted, the family member has the standard EUSS rights (right to live, work, study, access NHS, etc.).

Worked example: durable partner family permit application

A worked example clarifies the durable partner route. Consider a French citizen with Settled Status in the UK whose Brazilian partner (not married) has been living with them for 4 years (3 years in Brazil before the move and now 1 year long-distance with the French partner working in the UK). The couple wishes to bring the Brazilian partner to the UK.

The Brazilian partner can apply for an EUSS Family Permit at the British embassy in Brazil. Supporting evidence: French partner's Settled Status confirmation; durable partner evidence (4 years of cohabitation evidence, joint financial arrangements, shared correspondence, photographs spanning the relationship); Brazilian partner's passport.

The durable partner threshold is typically 2+ years of cohabitation; the 4 years in this case exceeds the threshold comfortably. The evidence package should be comprehensive: tenancy agreements showing both names; joint bank statements; utility bills; family photographs; supporting statements from family and friends.

The Family Permit is typically issued within weeks if evidence is satisfactory. The permit is valid for 6 months for entry to the UK. Once in the UK, the Brazilian partner applies for EUSS Pre-Settled Status in their own right; the application is free.

The practical takeaway: durable partner cases require comprehensive cohabitation evidence; the 2-year minimum is the threshold but more substantial evidence improves the application; specialist advice for complex cases (such as periods of separation due to immigration constraints) helps present the case effectively.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information based on rules and figures published by UK government and regulator sources as of May 2026. It is not personal financial, legal, immigration or tax advice. Rules, fees and figures change and individual circumstances vary. Readers should check primary sources or consult a qualified, regulated adviser before acting on any information here.

Frequently asked questions

Is the permit free?

Yes. The EUSS Family Permit application is free. This is a notable benefit compared with standard UK family visa applications. The fee-free position reflects the EUSS's policy of facilitating family reunion without financial barriers.

Does the family member need to have lived with the sponsor?

For durable partner cases, evidence of long-term cohabitation or other relationship indicia is typically required. Spouses and civil partners do not need to have lived together; the legal relationship is the qualifying basis. For durable partners, the relationship needs to be substantively a long-term partnership.

Can children apply on their own?

Children typically apply through a parent or guardian. The application is filed on behalf of the child by the responsible adult. For very young children, the application is essentially administrative; for older children approaching adulthood, additional considerations may apply.

How long does the permit application take?

Standard processing varies; many permits are issued within weeks. Complex cases may take longer. The local visa application centre's processing time and the Home Office's case complexity both affect the timeline.

Can the permit be extended?

The permit is for entry to the UK only. After entry, the EUSS application is the route to longer-term status. The 6-month permit validity provides time to enter the UK and complete the EUSS application; extension of the permit itself is not typically the route.

Can family members of EU citizens who lived in the UK pre-Brexit still apply for the family permit?

If the EU citizen sponsor has EUSS Settled or Pre-Settled Status, family members can typically apply for the family permit. The relationship must qualify; for new relationships formed after 31 December 2020, the family permit route may not apply and the standard family visa routes may apply instead.

Can the family permit be used for multiple entries to the UK?

Some family permits are multiple-entry, some are single-entry. The specific terms are on the permit. For family members planning multiple trips, requesting multiple-entry at the application stage can be useful.

Frequently asked questions

Is the permit free?

Yes. The EUSS Family Permit application is free. This is a notable benefit compared with standard UK family visa applications. The fee-free position reflects the EUSS's policy of facilitating family reunion without financial barriers.

Does the family member need to have lived with the sponsor?

For durable partner cases, evidence of long-term cohabitation or other relationship indicia is typically required. Spouses and civil partners do not need to have lived together; the legal relationship is the qualifying basis. For durable partners, the relationship needs to be substantively a long-term partnership.

Can children apply on their own?

Children typically apply through a parent or guardian. The application is filed on behalf of the child by the responsible adult. For very young children, the application is essentially administrative; for older children approaching adulthood, additional considerations may apply.

How long does the permit application take?

Standard processing varies; many permits are issued within weeks. Complex cases may take longer. The local visa application centre's processing time and the Home Office's case complexity both affect the timeline.

Can the permit be extended?

The permit is for entry to the UK only. After entry, the EUSS application is the route to longer-term status. The 6-month permit validity provides time to enter the UK and complete the EUSS application; extension of the permit itself is not typically the route.

Can family members of EU citizens who lived in the UK pre-Brexit still apply for the family permit?

If the EU citizen sponsor has EUSS Settled or Pre-Settled Status, family members can typically apply for the family permit. The relationship must qualify; for new relationships formed after 31 December 2020, the family permit route may not apply and the standard family visa routes may apply instead.

Can the family permit be used for multiple entries to the UK?

Some family permits are multiple-entry, some are single-entry. The specific terms are on the permit. For family members planning multiple trips, requesting multiple-entry at the application stage can be useful.