The EU Family Permit enables close and extended family members of European Economic Area nationals to join them in the UK, or travel to the UK with them at a later time. Applicants must be related to the family member who they are applying to join in the UK.
The EU Family Permit is designed for non-EEA family members of EEA nationals who wish to come to the UK. There are two types of family permits currently available:
- the EU Settlement Scheme family permit is open only to close family members of EEA nationals who have ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ status under the EU Settlement Scheme;
- the EEA Family Permit is available to the rest of the applicants, who are family members of EEA nationals who are in the UK. This category allows close and extended family members to apply, such as dependent children, spouses, partners and dependent parents, as well as brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews of the EEA nationals.
Both family permits are valid for 6 months. Upon arrival to the UK, permit holders can apply for pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The application for the EEA Family Permit must be made from outside the UK.
If the EEA national is in the UK as a student, the applicant must be either a spouse, civil partner or dependent child of the EEA national or their spouse or civil partner. If the applicant is otherwise related to the EEA national, they must apply as an extended family member.
An extended family member includes:
- brother or sister;
- aunt or uncle;
- nephew, niece or cousin.
All extended family members must either be dependent on the EEA national, be a member or their household or have a serious health condition and rely on the EEA national to care for them.
If the applicant is an unmarried partner of the EEA national, they must be able to show that they are in a lasting relationship.
Eligibility:
- the applicant must be a close or extended family member of the EEA national and be able to produce relevant evidence in support of this;
- the EEA national must either already be in the UK or be travelling to the UK with the applicant within 6 months of the date of the application for the EEA Family Permit;
- if the EEA national has been in the UK for more than 3 months they must either have a permanent residence document or be a ‘qualified person’ which includes being employed, self-employed, studying or self-sufficient in the UK.
Immigration UK’ experts will provide you with comprehensive advice on making an application as a family member, of an EU national residing in the UK.
