Apply for a permit to join your EU or EEA family member in the UK
EEA family permit: Surinder Singh
The EEA family permit is ending. After 30 June 2021 they will no longer be valid and no new applications will be accepted.
You can apply for an EEA family permit if you’ve lived in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland with an eligible family member who’s a British citizen. This is also known as a ‘Surinder Singh’ application.
You must have lived with them in that country before 1 January 2021, and be:
- their spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner (‘durable partner’)
- under 21 years old, and are their child or grandchild
- 21 years or older, and are their dependent child or grandchild
- their dependent parent or grandparent
This includes family members who were adopted under an adoption order that’s recognised in UK law.
At the moment, only unmarried partners (‘durable partners’) can make an application. Other close family members will be able to apply later in January 2021. You may be eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme family permit instead. If you need help, contact UKVI.
The country that you lived in together must have been your main residence. Your British family member must also have been working, studying or self-sufficient in the country while there.
To be eligible for an EEA family permit you must prove that:
- your British family member was resident in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland and was either a worker, a self-employed person, a self-sufficient person, a student, or a person with a right of permanent residence in that country
- you were lawfully resident in that EEA country or Switzerland with your British family member
- your family member returned to the UK by 31 December 2020
Documents you must provide
You must provide:
- your valid passport (or ID card if you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen)
- your British family member’s valid passport
- evidence of your relationship to your British family member, such as a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate or birth certificate
You must also provide proof that your British family member was working, self-employed, self-sufficient or studying in the EEA country where you’ve lived together.
Examples of proof include employer’s letters, wage slips, contracts, bank statements, proof of tax registration, or proof of enrolment and attendance for study.
Check the other evidence you usually need for an EEA family permit.
Make a ‘Surinder Singh’ application for an EEA family permit
You must apply online for an EEA family permit.
You must be outside the UK to apply.