Guidance

EU Settlement Scheme: applying from outside the UK

Information for applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme who are applying from outside the UK.

You can apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK.

You must use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to verify that you’re entitled to apply from outside the UK.

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you must use your current valid passport or national identity card with a biometric chip.

If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you must use your UK residence card with a biometric chip.

If you’re joining your EU, EEA or Swiss citizen family member

You’ll need to prove your relationship and show that your EU, EEA or Swiss family member is either eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme or has already been granted settled or pre-settled status.

If you enter the UK as a visitor, you will not be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from inside the UK.

If you’re joining your qualifying British citizen family member

You’ll usually need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK to join or accompany your qualifying British citizen family member. You can then apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once you arrive.

If you’re able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK (because you have already returned to the UK with your qualifying British citizen family member and are currently overseas again) you’ll need to show:

  • proof of your relationship
  • that you were living together in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland before 1 January 2021
  • that your qualifying British citizen family member was working, studying or self-sufficient in that country
  • that you both then returned to the UK

If you enter the UK as a visitor, you will not be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from inside the UK.

If you cannot scan your document

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and cannot verify your passport or national identity card using the app, we may ask you to send your document to us by post. You should consider whether local laws mean that you cannot post your identity document.

If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and the app does not scan the biometric chip in your UK residence card, contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre. You should not send this document to the UK by post.

If you cannot post your identity document

Some countries do not allow identity documents to be sent across national borders or require you to keep the document on your person. Please consult your local authority to confirm if you’re allowed to post your identity document to the UK.

If you’re not able to post your identity document to us, contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre.

These countries include:

  • Afghanistan
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Chad
  • Congo (Brazzaville)
  • Cuba
  • Egypt
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Ghana
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Jamaica
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Morocco
  • Nepal
  • Nigeria (and Benin)
  • North Korea
  • Northern Cyprus
  • Pakistan
  • Russia
  • Rwanda
  • Sierra Leone
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan
  • Tajikistan
  • Tunisia
  • Turkmenistan
  • Ukraine
  • Uzbekistan
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
Published 9 April 2019
Last updated 1 July 2021 + show all updates
  1. Updated guidance to reflect changes in relation to the end of the Grace Period.

  2. Added information for if you’re joining your EU, EEA or Swiss citizen family member in the UK.

  3. First published.