If you're from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
Updated 9 August 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/entering-the-uk-under-the-eu-settlement-scheme-and-eu-settlement-scheme-family-permit/if-youre-from-the-eu-iceland-liechtenstein-norway-or-switzerland
If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
You can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents:
- a passport
- an Irish passport card
- a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
Your passport or identity card should be registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account. You may be delayed at the border if your passport or national identity card is not registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account.
If you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme but are waiting for a decision
If you were living in UK by 31 December 2020 and applied by 30 June 2021
You can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents:
- a passport
- an Irish passport card
- a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
Your Certificate of Application to the EU Settlement Scheme can be confirmed at the border if needed, but you can also bring a copy with you when you travel.
If you were living in UK by 31 December 2020 but applied after 30 June 2021
You can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents:
- a passport
- an Irish passport card
- a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
Your Certificate of Application to the EU Settlement Scheme can be confirmed at the border if needed, but you can also bring a copy with you when you travel.
You may also be asked to show evidence that you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
If you were not living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme as a joining family member
You must enter the UK with your passport. You must also have a document showing you’re allowed to enter the UK such as:
- a UK issued biometric residence card
- an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- an EEA family permit
You can use these documents even if they have expired.
If you don’t have one of these documents you should wait to travel to the UK until your application has been decided as you may be refused entry.
If you have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
You can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents:
- a passport
- an Irish passport card
- a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
You may also be asked to show your EU Settlement Scheme family permit which can be in date or expired. If your permit is expired, you may be asked to show evidence that you’ve applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, such as a Certificate of Application, or provide reasons why you have not yet done so.
If you intend to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit but have not yet done so
You should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit from outside the UK if you’re eligible.
Otherwise, you should check if you need a visa.
If you have a document issued under the EEA Regulations 2016
You should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you have a:
- registration certificate
- document certifying permanent residence
You should apply even if your document has not expired.
The deadline for most people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021. You can still apply after the deadline if you can show reasonable grounds for your delay in applying, and provide supporting evidence.