EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit

EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME FAMILY PERMIT FOR NON-EEA FAMILY MEMBERS OF RELEVANT SWISS (OR EEA) CITIZENS IN THE UK

The EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit is designed for non-EEA citizens who wish to travel to the UK to join or accompany a close family member who is a relevant Swiss (or EEA) citizen.

This permit is also available to non-EEA citizens seeking to join or accompany a close family member who is an eligible person of Northern Ireland, a naturalised British citizen, or a British citizen who has lived in another EU country before 31 December 2020.

Requirements for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit as a Family Member of a relevant Swiss (or EEA) Citizen

To qualify for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit, you must demonstrate to UK Visas & Immigration that:

Relationship: You are the non-EEA family member of a relevant Swiss (or EEA) citizen who holds Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status in the UK, or who has applied and is awaiting a decision.
Accompaniment: You will be accompanying the relevant Swiss (or EEA) citizen to the UK or joining them in the UK within six months of your application date.
Timing of Relationship: Your family relationship with the relevant Swiss (or EEA) citizen began before 31 December 2020.

To discuss your EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit application with one of our immigration lawyers, please contact our EU Settlement Scheme Lawyers on +41 21 588 07 70 or fill out the enquiry form below.

Family Members of British Citizens (Surinder Singh and Zambrano Applications)

From 8 August 2023, the EUSS Family Permit has closed to new applications from family members of a qualifying British citizen returning to the UK after exercising free movement rights in the EEA or Switzerland (Surinder Singh route) and from primary carers of a British citizen (Zambrano route). Those considering these routes now need to meet the UK's family Immigration Rules applicable to others.

However, the Surinder Singh and Zambrano routes remain open to those already on them. Those granted an EUSS Family Permit based on an application made by 8 August 2023 can still come to the UK and apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Eligible Family Members of Relevant Swiss (or EEA) Citizens

The following family members of a relevant Swiss (or EEA) citizen may apply for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit:

Spouse of a relevant Swiss (or EEA) citizen
Civil partner of a relevant Swiss (or EEA) citizen
Durable partner of a relevant Swiss (or EEA) citizen
Child (or grandchild or great-grandchild) of a relevant Swiss (or EEA) citizen or their spouse or civil partner
Dependent parent (or grandparent or great-grandparent) of the relevant Swiss (or EEA) citizen or their spouse or civil partner

You must demonstrate that your relationship existed before 31 December 2020.

Definition of a Relevant Swiss (or EEA) Citizen

Relevant Swiss (or EEA) citizens include:

EEA or Swiss nationals granted ‘pre-settled’ or ‘settled’ status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or those awaiting the outcome of an application.
Irish citizens meeting the criteria for ‘pre-settled’ or ‘settled’ status under the EU Settlement Scheme (though they do not need to apply).
Eligible persons of Northern Ireland who meet the criteria for ‘pre-settled’ or ‘settled’ status under the EU Settlement Scheme, even if they cannot apply.
British citizens with EEA or Swiss citizenship who lived in the UK as an EEA or Swiss citizen before obtaining British citizenship.

EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit vs. EEA Family Permit

The EEA Family Permit route is now closed to new applications. Those eligible should apply for EUSS Family Permits instead. Pending applications and appeals for EEA Family Permits submitted before 31 December 2020 will continue to be considered under the relevant regulations.

Applying for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit in Switzerland

Applications for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit must be made from outside the UK. Applications can be submitted from Switzerland.

Application Fee for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit in Switzerland

Application Fee: There is no application fee for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit.
Immigration Health Charge: Applicants are not required to pay the Immigration Health Charge.

Validity Period

Your EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit will be valid for four months.

Staying in the UK

To stay in the UK beyond your permit’s validity, you must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. The deadline for applying was 30 June 2021. However, joining family members arriving after 1 April 2021 can apply within three months of arrival (and before their family permit expires) or show reasonable grounds for missing this period.

How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help

Through the Swiss office of our UK immigration law firm, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of UK immigration legal services to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland.

Our UK immigration lawyers assist family members of relevant Swiss (or EEA) nationals with relocating to and settling in the UK, including through the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit route.

We offer:

Expert advice on requirements for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit.
Independent assessments of your prospects of qualifying.
Professional assistance with preparing immigration applications or appeals.

We are dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to individuals throughout Switzerland in a professional and friendly manner. Contact our EU Settlement Scheme Lawyers in Switzerland at +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.

WE CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH

Applications for EU Settlement Scheme Pre-Settled Status by Relevant Swiss (or EEA) Citizens

In order to qualify for Pre-Settled Status you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

You are a relevant Swiss or EEA citizen; or
You are a family member of a relevant Swiss or EEA citizen; or
You are a family member who has retained the right of residence by virtue of a relationship with a relevant Swiss or EEA citizen; or
You are a person with a derivative right to reside; or
You are a person with a Zambrano right to reside; and
You started living in the UK by 31 December 2020; and
You are not eligible for Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme solely because you have not completed a continuous qualifying period of residence of at least 5 years.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Applications for EU Settlement Scheme Settled Status by Relevant Swiss (or EEA) Citizens

In order to qualify for Settled Status you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

You are a relevant Swiss or EEA citizen; or
You are a family member of a relevant Swiss or EEA citizen; or
You are a family member who has retained the right of residence by virtue of a relationship with a relevant Swiss or EEA citizen; or
You are a person with a derivative right to reside; or
You are a person with a Zambrano right to reside; and
You started living in the UK by 31 December 2020; and
You have completed a continuous qualifying period of residence of at least 5 years.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Applications for British Citizenship by Swiss Citizens

Applications for British Citizenship can usually be submitted by Swiss citizens after Settled Status has been held for 12 months and other requirements have been met.

In order to be naturalised as a British citizen, you will need to meet certain statutory criteria with regard to your immigration status, length of residence in the UK, future intentions, knowledge of the English language and life in the UK, and good character. The requirements for British Citizenship by Naturalisation vary slightly depending on whether you are married to a British citizen or not.

Appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration & Asylum Chamber)

If your application made under the EU Settlement Scheme has been refused, our immigration appeal lawyers can advise you on the merits of appealing to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), prepare your immigration appeal and represent you at your immigration appeal hearing.