If you're not 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-not-from-the-eu-iceland-liechtenstein-norway-or-switzerland
If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
You must enter the UK with your passport. If you’re a visa national, you will also be asked by your carrier (for example airline or transport provider) to show a valid visa or visa exemption document such as:
- a UK-issued biometric residence card
- an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- an EU Settlement Scheme travel permit
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 must enter the UK with your passport.
You may be asked to provide a document showing you’ve previously been accepted as the family member of an EEA or Swiss national such as:
- a UK issued biometric residence card
- an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- an EEA family permit
If you do not have any of these documents, you may be asked to show that you’re eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. For example, by proving your relationship to an EEA or Swiss citizen who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
If you’re a visa national, you will also be asked by your carrier (for example airline or transport provider) to show a valid visa or visa exemption document such as:
- a UK-issued biometric residence card
- an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
A certificate of application is not evidence of a visa or visa exemption document.
If you were living in UK by 31 December 2020 but applied after 30 June 2021
You must enter the UK with your passport.
You may be asked to provide a document showing you’ve previously been accepted as the family member of an EEA national such as:
- a UK issued biometric residence card
- an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
If you do not have any of these documents, you may be asked to show that you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020, and that you’re eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme because of your relationship to an EEA or Swiss citizen who was living in the UK by 31 Dec 2020.
If you’re a visa national, you will also be asked by your carrier (for example airline or transport provider) to show a valid visa or visa exemption document such as:
- a UK-issued biometric residence card
- an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
A certificate of application is not evidence of a visa or visa exemption document.
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 visa or visa exemption document such as:
- a UK-issued biometric residence card
- an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
If you do not 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. A certificate of application is not evidence of a visa or visa exemption document.
If you have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
You must enter the UK with your passport.
You may also be asked to show your EU Settlement Scheme family permit which cannot be expired unless you have already applied to the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you’re a visa national, you will also be asked by your carrier (for example airline or transport provider) to show a valid visa or visa exemption document such as:
• a UK-issued biometric residence card
• an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
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:
- permanent residence card
- EEA biometric residence card
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.