EU Settlement Scheme: applying from outside the UK
Information for applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme who are applying from outside the UK.
You may be able to apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK.
If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you must use your current valid passport or national identity card with a biometric chip.
If you’re not from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you must use your UK residence card with a biometric chip.
You must use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to verify that you’re entitled to apply from outside the UK.
Otherwise, you will need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK. Once you’re in the UK, you can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you’re a family member of a qualifying British citizen, you cannot use the online service and must contact the Resolution Centre online to apply if you are eligible to do so.
If you’re joining your family member from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
You’ll need to prove your relationship and show that your family member from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein has been granted settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you’re applying as the family member of a qualifying British citizen
You can only apply if you either:
- already have pre-settled status as the family member of a ‘qualifying British citizen’
- entered the UK with an EU Settlement Scheme family permit as the family member of a ‘qualifying British citizen’
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:
- identity
- continuous residence
- relationship to your family member
- family member’s identity and continuous residence
You can use the same evidence you used to apply for your EU Settlement Scheme family permit where you have one.
If your family permit has expired, you’ll need to show ‘reasonable grounds’ for your delay in applying.
Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme as a family member of a qualifying British citizen.
If you cannot scan your document
If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein 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 from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and the app does not scan the biometric chip in your UK residence card, contact the 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 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
Updates to this page
Last updated 1 August 2024 + show all updates
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Updated to reflect changes to the EU Settlement Scheme.
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Updated guidance to reflect changes in relation to the end of the Grace Period.
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Added information for if you’re joining your EU, EEA or Swiss citizen family member in the UK.
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First published.