Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)
Applying if you’re the family member or primary carer of a British citizen
For most people, you can no longer apply if you’re:
- a family member of a ‘qualifying British citizen’ - this is known as a ‘Surinder Singh’ application
- a primary carer of a British citizen - this is known as a ‘Zambrano’ application
If you applied before 9 August 2023, your application will still be considered.
If you already have pre-settled status as a Surinder Singh or Zambrano applicant, you can apply to switch to settled status.
There are some other cases where you can still apply.
If you’re not able to apply for pre-settled or settled status, you might be able to apply for a family visa to live with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months.
If you lived with a British citizen in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
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 a family member of a ‘qualifying British citizen’
For your family member to be a ‘qualifying British citizen’, all of the following must apply:
- you lived with them in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein by 31 December 2020
- the country you lived in together was your main residence
- they were working, studying, self-sufficient or had a permanent right of residence under EU law
You must also be their:
- spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner
- child, grandchild or great-grandchild under 21 years old
- dependent child, grandchild or great-grandchild over the age of 21
- dependent parent, grandparent or great-grandparent
If your family permit has expired, you’ll need to show ‘reasonable grounds’ for the delay in applying.
What you’ll need to apply
You’ll need proof of your:
- identity
- continuous residence
- relationship to your family member
- family member’s identity and continuous residence
Check the full list of documents you can use as evidence.
You can use the same evidence you used to apply for your EU Settlement Scheme family permit.
If you are the primary carer of a British citizen
You can only apply if you either:
- already have pre-settled status as the primary carer of a British citizen
- entered the UK with an EU Settlement Scheme family permit as a ‘specified EEA family permit case’ based on being the primary carer of such a British citizen
If you have a family permit, it will say on your decision letter if it’s a ‘specified EEA family permit case’.
You must have had no other type of permission to stay in the UK since you entered with your EU Settlement Scheme family permit.
To be someone’s primary carer, you must be responsible for their day to day care, including making decisions about their education, health and finances. You must also be their:
- parent or legal guardian
- grandparent
- brother or sister
- spouse or civil partner
- child
- grandchild
You can share these responsibilities with someone else.
If your family permit has expired, you’ll need to show ‘reasonable grounds’ for the delay in applying.
What you’ll need to apply
You’ll need proof of your:
- identity
- continuous residence
- relationship to your family member
- family member’s identity and continuous residence
Check the full list of documents you can use as evidence.
You’ll also need proof that:
- the person you’re the primary carer of is a British citizen, and they were living in the UK by 31 December 2020
- you were the primary carer for that person by 31 December 2020
- they would not be able to live in the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you left the UK indefinitely
How to apply
Contact the Resolution Centre online to apply.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be given a form with a unique reference number which you must use to apply. If you’re not eligible to apply, they will tell you and you will not be sent a form.
You must send your completed application form and supporting documents to the Home Office by post.
EU Settlement Scheme
PO Box 2076
Liverpool
L69 3PG
You must not send your form back by email unless the Resolution Centre has told you to do so.
You cannot use the online service to apply.