Table of Contents
EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit: Overview
What is a Family Permit?
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility Requirements
Who is a Relevant EEA Citizen?
Eligible Family Members
EUSS Family Permit vs EEA Family Permit
Deadlines, Late Applications & Status After 30 June 2021
Avoiding Delays
Extending Your Stay in the UK After Your Permit
What If Your EUSS Application Is Refused?
Key Changes to the EUSS Family Permit (8 August 2023)
Fees (Application + IHS)
Our Legal Fees (Fixed Fee + Transparency)
Get in Touch
EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit: Overview
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Family Permit allows eligible family members of a relevant EEA citizen (or an eligible person of Northern Ireland) to travel to the UK to accompany or join their family member.
This permit is typically granted for up to 6 months and can allow you to work and study during that period.
What is a Family Permit?
A family permit is a document that makes it easier for eligible family members to enter the UK and join their relative.
With an EUSS Family Permit, you can:
stay in the UK for up to 6 months
work or study while in the UK
travel in and out of the UK multiple times before it expires
Who Can Apply for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit?
You may be able to apply if you are a family member of someone from:
the EU
Switzerland
Norway
Iceland
Liechtenstein
You may also qualify if you are a family member of an eligible person from Northern Ireland.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit, you normally need to show:
You are the joining family member of a relevant EEA citizen who:
holds Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status, or
has applied to the EUSS and is waiting for a decision
You will be accompanying the relevant EEA citizen to the UK, or joining them in the UK within 6 months of your application date
Your family relationship began before 31 December 2020
Special note for family members of British citizens (Surinder Singh scenarios)
If you are the family member of a British citizen and you lived together in an EEA country:
If the relationship started before 1 February 2020, you previously had a deadline of 29 March 2022 to apply (historic rule).
If the relationship started on or after 1 February 2020, you may have needed to show reasonable grounds for not returning to the UK by 31 December 2020, supported by evidence.
Who is a Relevant EEA Citizen?
A “relevant EEA citizen” can include:
EEA or Swiss nationals with Settled or Pre-Settled Status under the EUSS
Irish citizens who meet the criteria for settled/pre-settled status under the EUSS
Eligible persons of Northern Ireland who meet the criteria
British citizens who also held EEA/Swiss citizenship and lived in the UK as an EEA/Swiss citizen before becoming British
Which Family Members Can Apply?
The following family members may apply (subject to eligibility):
Spouse, civil partner, or durable partner
Child (including grandchild / great-grandchild) of the relevant EEA citizen (or their spouse/civil partner)
Dependent parent (including grandparent / great-grandparent) of the relevant EEA citizen (or their spouse/civil partner)
Important: You must usually show the relationship existed before 31 December 2020.
EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit or EEA Family Permit?
The EEA Family Permit route is closed and no longer accepts new applications.
New applications should be made under the EUSS Family Permit route.
Old EEA Family Permit applications/appeals submitted before 31 December 2020 may still be decided under older rules.
EUSS Family Permit applications must be made from outside the UK.
EU Settlement Scheme Deadlines and Late Applications
The general deadline for EUSS applications was 30 June 2021.
Late applications may still be accepted in some circumstances, but applicants should be ready to provide a strong explanation and evidence where needed.
Status After 30 June 2021
If you applied to the EUSS before the deadline and are still awaiting a decision, you can usually stay in the UK until a decision is made.
Avoiding Delays in Your Application
To avoid delays, make sure you provide:
correct personal details
clear proof of relationship
full supporting documents (translated where required)
evidence that the relevant EEA citizen holds or has applied for EUSS status
Steps to Extend Your Stay in the UK Beyond Your Family Permit
If you plan to remain in the UK after your EUSS Family Permit expires, you should usually:
Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) after arrival (if eligible)
Understand timing:
if you joined your family in the UK after 1 April 2021, you typically needed to apply within 3 months of arrival or before the permit expires (whichever is sooner)
If applying late, prepare a reasonable explanation and supporting evidence
Gather documents (relationship proof, residence evidence where needed)
Submit the application online
What to Do If Your EU Settlement Scheme Application Is Refused
If your EUSS application is refused, options may include:
speaking to an immigration lawyer urgently to assess the refusal
appealing to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) (where applicable)
preparing stronger evidence and legal submissions for the appeal
A properly prepared appeal can significantly improve the outcome.
Key Changes to the EUSS Family Permit (8 August 2023)
From 8 August 2023, the EUSS Family Permit closed to new applicants relying on certain routes, including:
Surinder Singh route (family members of qualifying British citizens returning to the UK after living in the EEA/Switzerland)
Zambrano route (primary carers of a British citizen)
If someone applied before the change and was granted a permit, they may still be able to enter the UK and then apply to the EUSS after arrival (subject to their circumstances).
Application Fee for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit
No application fee
No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Fixed Fee for Legal Services
We offer professional legal services for EUSS Family Permit applications.
Fixed legal fee: £1,000 per applicant
The fee is based on the complexity and required casework.
Transparency in Legal Fees
We believe in transparent pricing:
you are informed of the fixed fee before work starts
we avoid hidden costs
you receive clear guidance throughout the process
Get in Touch with Us
Hire our specialist immigration lawyer to support your EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit application and help you achieve a successful outcome.
Contact Primus Solicitors today to learn more about our services and how we can assist with your immigration matter.
