UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme
Guidance for submitting an expression of interest application to come to the UK under the UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme.
Overview
The UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme is a way for you to enter the UK legally if you are in France. Your partner and children will be able to come with you if they are also in France. Your child must be under 18.
The scheme will be open for applications for a short period. There are a limited number of places to come to the UK on the scheme which will be released gradually.
Applying to the UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme has 3 steps:
- Submit an expression of interest application.
- Confirm you are in France using your mobile phone.
- If invited, provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) at a visa application centre (VAC) in France.
If successful, you’ll be given entry clearance to the UK for up to 3 months.
You must not attempt to travel to the UK while you wait for a decision from the Home Office.
Do not submit an expression of interest application if you:
- are not in France
- have previously entered or arrived in the UK illegally
- have international protection from any other country
- are officially recognised as stateless by any other country
- are an EEA national
- are the family member of an EEA national
- have any other type of immigration status in France
- have previously been refused entry clearance on the scheme
What you will need
Once you start your expression of interest application, you cannot save the form and come back. Make sure you have everything you need before you start.
You will need:
- a mobile phone
- an email address
- a passport or other document that establishes your identity and nationality
- a recent digital photo of yourself – it must be no more than 3 months old
If you are applying as a family member you will also need evidence of your family relationship. For example:
- a copy of a marriage or civil partnership certificate
- a birth certificate for children
How to submit an expression of interest application
You must submit your own expression of interest application if you are 18 or over but you can ask someone for help.
If you are under 18 you must apply as part of a family group with a parent. You can submit your own form, or your parent can do it for you.
One adult family member must apply first. If you are the first person applying as part of a family group, you will be asked to list the names of your family members applying with you on your application form.
You will then be sent a family reference number by email once you’ve submitted your expression of interest application. Your family members must use this reference number when they fill in their own expression of interest applications. They’ll also need to provide evidence of their relationship to you.
Family groups will have their expression of interest applications assessed together.
Once you start your expression of interest application you cannot save the form and come back. Make sure you have everything you need before you start.
Once you and each adult in your family have submitted your expression of interest applications, you will each be sent an email and text message with instructions on how to prove you are in France. You will have 24 hours to reply to this message. If you cannot find the email in your inbox, check your junk or spam folder.
The Home Office will then review your application. This may take some time, and you should not contact UKVI to ask about progress. The Home Office will be in contact once your expression of interest application has been considered.
You will not need to make any other application for entry clearance under the scheme. If you are selected to be considered to come to the UK, the Home Office will manage this on your behalf.
If your expression of interest is unsuccessful you will be contacted, but this may take some time.
Entry clearance application
The Home Office will make an application for entry clearance on your behalf if your expression of interest application is successful.
As part of the application, you’ll need to prove your identity. You will be given an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) in France to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and a photo). Do not travel to a VAC without an appointment.
You must not attempt to travel to the UK while you wait for a decision from the Home Office.
If your application is unsuccessful
You will get an email when the Home Office has made a decision on your application. This will confirm that your application has been refused.
You will not be able to apply again.
If one person’s application is unsuccessful and you are applying as a family, the whole family group will be unsuccessful.
Travel to the UK if your entry clearance application is successful
You will get an email when the Home Office has made a decision on your application. This will confirm that you have been granted entry clearance to the UK for up to 3 months to allow you to travel to the UK legally.
You will be given a travel document to use to travel to the UK.
You will not be able to work, study or access public funds on this visa. If you want to stay in the UK you will need to successfully apply for another type of permission to stay once you have arrived.
You will be contacted with information on how to travel to the UK. You should not give up any existing accommodation until you are contacted with information about travel to the UK.
If you have made an asylum claim in another country you should withdraw it before you come to the UK.