I am an EU National living in France. I married my British husband and lived together in France since March 2019. I am planning to apply for a family permit to live together in the UK. What is the deadline of applying for an EEA family permit?

The EEA family permit is ending on 30 June 2021. You will not be able to apply for one or use it to travel to the UK after then, even if the expiry date on it is later. To come to the UK after 30 June 2021, you might be able to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

Apply for a permit to join your EU or EEA family member in the UK

Overview

You may be able to get a permit to come to the UK if you’re the family member of either:

an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

a ‘person of Northern Ireland’

The EEA includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

The family of some British citizens can also get a permit.

You must be outside the UK to apply.

There are 2 different family permits:

the EU Settlement Scheme family permit

the EEA family permit

What family permits are for

A family permit makes it easier to travel with your family member to the UK or to join them there.

It lets you come to the UK for up to 6 months. You can work and study, and come and go as many times as you want.

Without one, you might not get a boarding pass or may be refused entry into the UK.

You can stay longer in the UK if you’re eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme. You can either:

apply for a family permit before you come to the UK, and then apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once you’re here

apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK, if you’re eligible to do so

EU Settlement Scheme family permit

You can apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit if you’re the close family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

Find out more about applying for an EUSS family permit to join an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen.

You can also apply:

if you’ve lived in the EU, EEA or Switzerland with an eligible family member who’s a British citizen

if you have the right to stay in the UK as the family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who has died, left the UK, is no longer your spouse or civil partner or with whom the family relationship has broken down - this is called ‘retained right of residence’

EEA family permit

You can apply for an EEA family permit if you’re the close family member or unmarried partner of a person from the EU, EEA or Switzerland. Your family relationship must have started by 31 December 2020.

If you apply for an EEA family permit and do not get a decision by 30 June 2021, you’ll need to apply for a different way to travel to the UK, such as an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

Find out more about applying for the EEA family permit to join an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen.

You may also be eligible for an EEA family permit:

with a ‘derivative right of residence’ - you might have this if you’re the primary carer of a British, EU, EEA or Swiss dependant, the primary carer’s child, or the child of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who previously worked in the UK

if you can make a ‘Surinder Singh’ application after living in an EEA country or Switzerland with a British family member

with a ‘retained right of residence’ - you might have this if you have the right to stay in the UK as the family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who has died, left the UK or is no longer your spouse or civil partner

Fees

Both family permits are free.

After you’ve applied

If your application is successful, check how long your permit lasts and when you can apply to stay longer in the UK.

EU Settlement Scheme family permit: join an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

You can apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK if all of the following are true:

you’re the eligible family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, or a ‘person of Northern Ireland’

your family relationship began by 31 December 2020

your family member was living in the UK by 31 December 2020

your family member is in the UK already or traveling with you to the UK within 6 months of your application

The EEA includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Children who were born or adopted after 31 December 2020 may also be eligible, if they’re the child of either:

an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen’s spouse or civil partner

Eligible family members

You can join your:

spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner

child or grandchild aged under 21

dependent child or grandchild of any age

dependent parent or grandparent

This includes family members who were adopted under an adoption order that’s recognised in UK law.

Spouses and civil partners of Swiss citizens

If you’re married to or in a civil partnership with an eligible Swiss citizen, the rules are different.

You’ll still be eligible if:

you got engaged or formed your partnership after 31 December 2020

you’re still together when you apply

Who you can join

The person you’re joining must be one of the following:

an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

a person of Northern Ireland

someone who lived in the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen before also getting British citizenship

an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who is exempt from immigration control

an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who travels regularly to work in the UK but lives outside of the UK (also known as a ‘frontier worker’)

a British citizen who also has dual EU, EEA or Swiss nationality and was settled in the UK before 16 July 2012 without using their free movement rights (also known as a ‘McCarthy’ case)

Your family member must meet the eligibility criteria for the EU Settlement Scheme even if they have not applied or cannot apply. This means that they:

were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020

pass criminal record checks

If you’re joining a person of Northern Ireland

To be an eligible person of Northern Ireland, the person you’re joining must:

have been born in Northern Ireland

have British, Irish or dual British and Irish citizenship

At the time of your family member’s birth, one of their parents must have been:

a British citizen

a Irish citizen

a dual British and Irish citizen

entitled to reside in Northern Ireland with no restriction on their period of residence

If you’re joining an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who lived in the UK before getting British citizenship

To be eligible the person you’re joining must:

be an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

have become a naturalised British citizen after working, studying or being self-sufficient in the UK

If you’re joining an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who is exempt from immigration control

The person you’re joining must be:

an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

exempt from immigration control

They cannot also be a British citizen.

If you’re joining a frontier worker

The person you’re joining must:

be an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

have been working in the UK by 31 December 2020 as an employee or self-employed person

be primarily resident in another country that is not the UK

have been a frontier worker continuously since 1 January 2021

They cannot also be a British citizen.

Documents you must provide

You must provide:

a valid passport

evidence of your relationship to your EEA family member, for example a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate or birth certificate

You can provide a valid national identity card instead of your passport if you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen.

If the EU, EEA or Swiss citizen family member you are joining has applied to the EU Settlement Scheme you must provide their application number.

If they have not applied to the EU Settlement Scheme you must provide both:

their valid EU, EEA or Swiss passport or national identity card

evidence that they would be eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme if they had applied

You’ll have to show that they meet the other eligibility criteria for the EU Settlement Scheme even if they cannot apply - for example, if they have British as well as EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship.

Evidence if you’re a spouse or civil partner

If you’re a spouse or civil partner, you must show that you were engaged or formed a civil partnership  by 31 December 2020.

To do this, you must provide either:

a marriage or civil partnership certificate

a document issued under the EEA regulations as the spouse or civil partner of the EU, EEA or Swiss citizen - for example a family permit or residence card

If you’re married to or in civil partnership with a Swiss citizen who was resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, the rules are different. You may be eligible if you got married or entered into your partnership any time before 1 January 2026, and the relationship still exists when you apply.

Evidence if you’re an unmarried partner

If you’re an unmarried partner you’ll need to provide evidence that you were in your long-term relationship by 31 December 2020.

This usually means showing that you had been living together for 2 years. Evidence could include:

bank statements, utility bills or official correspondence that shows you and your partner at the same address

documents showing joint finances, like a tax return

birth certificates or custody agreements showing that you shared responsibility for children while living together

You’ll also need to provide evidence that:

you’re still together when you apply

if you were resident in the UK before 1 January 2021, evidence that you were legally resident during that time

Evidence if you’re a dependent child, grandchild, parent or grandparent

You’ll have to provide evidence that you’re related to your EU, EEA or Swiss family member, such as a birth certificate.

You’ll also have to show that you are dependent on them if:

you’re over 21 and a dependent child or grandchild of your family member

your family member is under 18 and you’re their dependent parent or grandparent

Examples of the evidence you can provide include:

bank statements or money transfers that show you depend on them financially

evidence that you depend on them for health care, for example a letter from a hospital consultant

If you’re a dependent parent or grandparent, you will not need to show dependency if your spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner has successfully applied for either:

an EU Settlement Scheme family permit

the EU Settlement Scheme as the dependent parent of your EEA family member

Evidence if you’re the family member of a person of Northern Ireland

You’ll need to provide a birth certificate or passport showing that your family member was born in Northern Ireland.

If they qualify as an Irish citizen alone, you must provide their original passport or national identity card and not a copy.

You must also provide evidence that, at the time of your family member’s birth, one of their parents was:

a British citizen

a Irish citizen

a dual British and Irish citizen

entitled to reside in Northern Ireland with no restriction on their period of residence

Evidence if you’re joining a person who is exempt from immigration control

You’ll need to provide evidence showing that:

they are exempt from immigration controls, for example a letter from a UK or foreign ministry

they’d meet the other eligibility criteria for the EU Settlement Scheme if they made an application before 1 July 2021 (even though they cannot actually apply)

Evidence if you’re joining a frontier worker

You’ll need to provide their frontier worker permit, or evidence that shows that they would be issued one if they applied.

Evidence if you’re joining a person with dual citizenship

You’ll need to provide evidence that shows:

your family member is a British citizen - for example a copy of their passport

they’d meet the other eligibility criteria for the EU Settlement Scheme if they made an application before 1 July 2021, even though they cannot apply

If you’re applying on the grounds that your family member was settled in the UK before 16 July 2012
without using their free movement rights (also known as a ‘McCarthy’ case), you’ll have to show that on 16 July 2012 you had either:

a right of permanent residence in the UK

a document issued under EEA regulations, for example a residence card

Apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit

You must apply online for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

You must be outside the UK to apply.

There’s no deadline for applications.

EU Settlement Scheme family permit: join a British citizen

You can apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK before 29 March 2022 if you’ve lived in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland with an eligible family member who’s a British citizen.

The EEA includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

You must have lived with them in that country before 1 January 2021, and be:

their spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner

under 21 years old, and are their child or grandchild

21 years or older, and are their dependent child or grandchild

their dependent parent or grandparent

another dependent relative

This includes family members who were adopted under an adoption order that’s recognised in UK law.

The country that you lived in together must have been your main residence. Your British family member must also have been working (including on a posting with HM Armed Forces), studying or self-sufficient in the country while there.

The relationship with your family member must have existed before 1 February 2020 for you to be eligible to apply, unless you have reasonable grounds for not returning to the UK before 1 January 2021.

Documents you must provide

You must provide:

your valid passport (or ID card if you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen)

your British family member’s valid passport

evidence of your relationship to your British family member, such as a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate or birth certificate

Both you and your British family member must provide documents proving that you lived in an EU or EEA country (or Switzerland) as your main residence. The documents must show:

that you’ve lived together in that country

your addresses

time spent living at each address

any proof of renting or buying a home

You must also provide proof that your British family member was working, self-employed, self-sufficient or studying in the country where you’ve lived together.

Examples of proof include employer’s letters, wage slips, contracts, bank statements, proof of tax registration, or proof of enrolment and attendance for study.

If you’re a dependent child, grandchild, parent or grandparent or relative

You’ll also need to provide proof of your dependency if you’re:

a dependent child or grandchild of your British family member, or their spouse or civil partner, and you’re over 21

a dependent parent or grandparent of your British family member, or their spouse or civil partner, and they are under 18

another relative and you are dependent on your British family member, or their spouse or civil partner

Apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit

You must apply online for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

You must be outside the UK to apply.

There’s no deadline for applications.

EU Settlement Scheme family permit: retained right of residence

You may be able to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit if you previously had a right to reside in the UK either:

as the family member of an EU, EEA, Swiss citizen

from living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland with a British citizen

This is called a ‘retained right of residence’. You may have it if:

your eligible family member died

you’re their child, they died or left the UK, and you are in education in the UK

you’ve had a child with them, they died or left the UK, and the child is in education in the UK

they divorced you or a member of your family

the relationship has broken down because of domestic abuse or violence

You must also meet other requirements to be eligible for a retained right of residence - read how applications are decided.

If your family member has died

You can apply if you lived continuously in the UK as their family member for at least one year immediately before their death.

You can also apply if:

you lived in the UK as their family member immediately before their death

they were resident in the UK as a worker or self employed person at the time of their death

they’d been resident as a worker or self employed person for at least two years

If they died as the result of an accident at work or occupational disease, they do not have to have been resident for 2 years.

If you’re in education in the UK

You can apply if you’re in education in the UK and one of the following is true:

you’re the child of an eligible EU, EEA, Swiss or British citizen who has left the UK or died

one of your parents is the spouse or civil partner of an eligible EU, EEA, Swiss or British citizen who has left the UK or died

one of your parents was previously the spouse or civil partner of an eligible EU, EEA, Swiss or British citizen who has left the UK or died

If you qualify through any of these circumstances, your parent may also be eligible if they have custody of you.

If you or a member of your family was previously married or in a civil partnership

You can apply if you stopped being the family member of the EU, EEA or Swiss citizen after their marriage or civil partnership ended with a divorce, annulment or dissolution, and you lived in the UK when it ended.

One of the following must also apply:

the marriage or civil partnership lasted for at least 3 years and the couple had both been living in the UK for at least one year during that time

you have custody of the EU, EEA or Swiss citizen’s child

you have been given right of access in the UK to the EU, EEA or Swiss citizen’s child and the child is under 18

you or another family member was the victim of domestic violence or abuse in the marriage or civil partnership

You can also apply if a family member had an eligible marriage or civil partnership and you lived in the UK when it ended. You must be their:

child or grandchild under 21 years old

dependent child or grandchild over the age of 21

dependent parent or grandparent

If you are a victim of domestic abuse or violence

You can apply if your family relationship with an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen has broken down permanently because of domestic abuse or violence.

You can apply if you are or were their:

spouse or civil partner

unmarried partner

child or grandchild under 21 years old

dependent parent or grandparent

Documents you must provide

You must provide:

your family member’s valid passport

evidence of your relationship to them, for example a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate or birth certificate

evidence that you have been continuously resident in the UK

You can provide a valid national identity card instead of their passport if they’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen.

You must also provide evidence that your family member meets the eligibility criteria for the EU Settlement Scheme, even if they cannot apply.

Evidence if your family member has died

You’ll also have to provide:

their death certificate and cause of death

evidence of your and your family member’s residence in the UK

evidence of their employment, if they were employed

Evidence if you’re in education in the UK

Where appropriate, you will have to provide evidence that:

your family member died - for example,  a death certificate

you were in education in the UK at the time your family member died or left the UK, and that you still are

your family member left the UK

you have custody of the child of the family member who died or left the UK

Evidence if you or a member of your family was previously married or in a civil partnership

the marriage or civil partnership ended in divorce, annulment or dissolution

you’d been living together in the UK for at least a year

you have custody of or the right of access to the child of the EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

domestic violence or abuse took place

Evidence if you are a victim of domestic abuse or violence

You will have to provide evidence that:

the family relationship has broken down permanently as a result of domestic violence or abuse

you were resident in the UK when that family relationship broke down

Apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit

You must apply online for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

You must be outside the UK to apply.

There’s no deadline for applications.

EEA family permit

You can still apply for an EEA family permit if you’re the close family member or unmarried partner of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who is a qualified person or has a right of permanent residence in the UK.

The EEA includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme family permit instead if your family member has or is eligible for ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Family members you can join

You must be their:

spouse or civil partner

unmarried partner in a lasting relationship

child or grandchild aged under 21

dependent child or grandchild of any age

dependent parent or grandparent

This includes family members who were adopted under an adoption order that’s recognised in UK law.

Your family relationship must have started by 31 December 2020.

The family member you’re joining must:

have been living in the UK by 31 December 2020

have been working, looking for work, studying or self-sufficient while living here

have a right of permanent residence in the UK

Extended family members

You can no longer apply for an EEA family permit if you are the extended family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, for example their:

brother or sister

aunt or uncle

cousin

niece or nephew

Unmarried partners in a lasting relationship (‘durable partners’) can continue to apply for EEA family permits until 30 June 2021. The permit will not be valid after 30 June 2021, even if the expiry date on it is later.

Other ways to get an EEA family permit

You may also be eligible:

with a ‘derivative right of residence’ -  you might have this if you’re the primary carer of a British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, the primary carer’s child, or the child of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who previously worked in the UK

if you can make a ‘Surinder Singh’ application after living in an EU, EEA country or Switzerland with a British family member

with a ‘retained right of residence’ - you might have this if you have the right to stay in the UK as the family member of EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who has died, left the UK or is no longer your spouse or civil partner

You must also have had the right to reside in the UK by 31 December 2020.

Documents you must provide

You must provide:

a valid passport

2 passport size colour photographs

evidence of your relationship to your family member – for example a birth certificate, marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate or proof that you’ve lived together for 2 years

your family member’s valid passport or national identity card (or a certified copy if you cannot provide the original)

evidence that your EU, EEA or Swiss citizen family member was resident in the UK by 31 December 2020
If your family member has been in the UK for more than 3 months, you must show that they have a permanent residence document or provide evidence that they are:

working - for example an employment contract, wage slips or a letter from an employer

self-employed - for example contracts, invoices or audited accounts with bank statements

studying - for example a letter from the school, college or university

financially independent (‘self-sufficient’) - for example bank statements

Your partner must have full health insurance (comprehensive sickness insurance) if they’re studying or self-sufficient.

Evidence if you’re a dependent relative

You’ll have to provide evidence that you’re related to your family member, such as a birth certificate.

You’ll also have to show that you are dependent on them, for example:

bank statements or money transfers that show you depend on them financially

evidence that you depend on them for health care, for example a letter from a hospital consultant

See more examples of each type of evidence.

Apply for an EEA family permit

You must apply online for an EEA family permit.

You must be outside the UK to apply.

EEA family permit: Surinder Singh

You can apply for an EEA family permit if you’ve lived in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland with an eligible family member who’s a British citizen. This is also known as a ‘Surinder Singh’ application.

You must have lived with them in that country before 1 January 2021, and be:

their spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner (‘durable partner’)

under 21 years old, and are their child or grandchild

21 years or older, and are their dependent child or grandchild

their dependent parent or grandparent

This includes family members who were adopted under an adoption order that’s recognised in UK law.

The country that you lived in together must have been your main residence. Your British family member must also have been working, studying or self-sufficient in the country while there.

To be eligible for an EEA family permit you must prove that:

your British family member was resident in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland and was either a worker, a self-employed person, a self-sufficient person, a student, or a person with a right of permanent residence in that country

you were lawfully resident in that EEA country or Switzerland with your British family member

your family member returned to the UK by 31 December 2020

Documents you must provide

You must provide:

your valid passport (or ID card if you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen)

your British family member’s valid passport

You must also provide proof that your British family member was working, self-employed, self-sufficient or studying in the EEA country where you’ve lived together.

Check the other evidence you usually need for an EEA family permit.

Make a ‘Surinder Singh’ application for an EEA family permit

You must apply online for an EEA family permit.

You must be outside the UK to apply.

EEA family permit: retained right of residence

You may be able to apply for an EEA family permit if you previously had a right to reside in the UK either:

as the family member of an EU, EEA, Swiss citizen

from living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland with a British citizen

This is called a ‘retained right of residence’. You may have it if:

your eligible family member died

you’re their child, they died or left the UK, and you are in education in the UK

you’ve had a child with them, they died or left the UK, and the child is in education in the UK

they divorced you or a member of your family

the relationship has broken down because of domestic abuse or violence

You must also meet other requirements to be eligible for a retained right of residence - read how applications are decided.

If your family member has died

You can apply if you lived continuously in the UK as their family member for at least one year immediately before their death.

If you’re in education in the UK

You can apply if you’re in education in the UK and one of the following is true:

you’re the child of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who has left the UK or died

one of your parents is the spouse or civil partner of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who has left the UK or died

one of your parents was previously the spouse or civil partner of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who has left the UK or died

If you qualify through any of these circumstances, your parent is also eligible for retained right of residence if they have custody of you.

If you or a member of your family was previously married or in a civil partnership

You can apply if your marriage or civil partnership to an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen ended with a divorce, annulment or dissolution, and you lived in the UK when it ended.

One of the following must also apply:

the marriage or civil partnership lasted for at least 3 years and you’d both been living in the UK for at least one year during that time

you have custody of the EU, EEA or Swiss citizen’s child

you have been given right of access in the UK to the EU, EEA or Swiss citizen’s child - the child must be under 18

you or another family member was the victim of domestic abuse in the marriage or civil partnership

child or grandchild under 21 years old

dependent child or grandchild over the age of 21

dependent parent or grandparent

If you are a victim of domestic abuse or violence

You can apply if you are or were their:

husband, wife or civil partner

unmarried partner (‘durable partner’)

child or grandchild under 21 years old

dependent parent or grandparent

Documents you must provide

You will need to provide evidence proving:

your eligibility

your family member’s eligibility

your relationship

Check the evidence you usually need for an EEA family permit.

You’ll also need to provide extra evidence depending on how you’re claiming your retained right of residence.

Evidence if your family member has died

Where appropriate, you’ll also have to provide:

their death certificate and cause of death

evidence that you and your family member were living in the UK for a year before their death

evidence of their employment, if they were employed

Evidence if you’re in education in the UK

Where appropriate, you’ll also have to provide evidence that:

your family member died

your family member left the UK

you were in education in the UK at the time your family member died or left the UK, and that you still are

you have custody of the child of the family member who died or left the UK

Evidence if you or a member of your family was previously married or in a civil partnership

the marriage or civil partnership ended in divorce, annulment or dissolution

you’d been living together in the UK for at least a year

you have custody of or the right of access to the child of the EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

domestic violence or abuse took place

Evidence if you are a victim of domestic abuse or violence

You will have to provide evidence that:

the relevant family relationship has broken down permanently as a result of domestic violence or abuse

you were resident in the UK when that family relationship broke down

Make a retained right of residence application for a family permit

You must apply online for an EEA family permit.

You must be outside the UK to apply.

EEA family permit: derivative right of residence

You can apply for a family permit if you have a ‘derivative right of residence’ as the:

primary carer of an EU, EEA or Swiss child in the UK who is financially independent (‘self-sufficient’)

child of an EU, EEA or Swiss former worker and you’re currently in education in the UK

primary carer of a child of an EU, EEA or Swiss former worker and the child is currently in education in the UK

primary carer of a British child who is residing in the UK and would be forced to leave if their primary carer wasn’t in the UK

primary carer of a British dependent adult who is residing in the UK and would be forced to leave if their primary carer wasn’t in the UK

child of a primary carer who qualifies through one of these categories

The EEA includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

As a ‘primary carer’, you have responsibility for the day to day care of a person, including making decisions about their education, health, and finances. You must be a family member or their legal guardian, and can be their main carer or share that responsibility with someone else.

Find out more about derivative rights of residence in the caseworker guidance:

Ibrahim-Teixeira cases

Ruiz Zambrano cases

Chen cases

Documents you must provide

You will need to provide evidence proving:

your eligibility

your family member’s eligibility

your relationship

You’ll also need to provide information about the person you care for, including proof:

that they’re dependent on you, and were before 1 January 2021, such as court orders or details of care responsibilities

that they’re living in the UK, such as tenancy agreements, utility bills or bank statements

that children who are EU, EEA or Swiss citizens are financially independent (‘self-sufficient’) and have full health insurance (‘comprehensive sickness insurance’) in the UK

You may also need to provide extra evidence depending on how you’re claiming your derivative right of residence.

Children of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizens who used to work in the UK

You must show that:

you’re in education in the UK, for example a letter from the school

you were in the UK when your EU, EEA or Swiss parent was working in the UK

you were in education in the UK at a time when your EU, EEA or Swiss parent was also present in the UK

You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Make a derivative right of residence application for a family permit

You must apply online for an EEA family permit.

You must be outside the UK to apply.

After you get a family permit

You’ll be able to use your EUSS family permit to come and go from the UK as many times as you want. It also allows you to work or study in the UK.

If you get an EEA family permit you can only use it until 30 June 2021, even if the expiry date on it is later.

When you arrive in the UK

You can use an automatic ePassport gate if you have a family permit and you’re from:

Australia

Canada

the EEA

Japan

New Zealand

Singapore

South Korea

Switzerland

Otherwise, see a border control officer instead. They will check your permit.

How long you can stay

If you applied for an EEA family permit on or before 30 December 2020, it will be valid for 6 months. If you applied after that, it will stop being valid on 30 June 2021, even if the expiry date on it is later.

An EUSS family permit is valid for 6 months, unless:

you plan to arrive in the UK on or after 1 April 2021

your application is approved more than three months ahead of your planned arrival date

In this case, it’s valid for 4 months from your planned arrival date.

Staying in the UK after your family permit expires

There will be no change to the residence rights and status of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, and their family members, until 30 June 2021.

You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after your family permit expires. You must apply on or before 30 June 2021, or within 3 months of when you first arrive in the UK, whichever is later.

You might be able to apply later if you can show ‘reasonable grounds’ (such as medical reasons, or being the victim of domestic abuse) for why you could not apply by the deadline.


I am a business owner. I am interested in providing work experience opportunities for practice accountancy, but I do not know how to go about this. Where am I able to make my opportunities known?

Jobcentre Plus has a range of recruitment services that can help you as an employer. You could get:

Jobcentre Plus help for recruiters

Overview

recruitment advice, including specialist support for businesses

help setting up work trials to give you the opportunity to try out potential recruits

advice about offering work experience and apprenticeships

support from other employment schemes including sector-based training and recruitment, and business mentoring

support if you employ someone with a disability (Access to Work)

advice and guidance on employing someone with a disability or health condition

You can also advertise a job with the ‘Find a job’ service (previously Universal Jobmatch).

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Recruitment advice and support

Contact the Employer Services Line for advice about recruiting for your business.

It can put you in touch with local ‘employer advisors’ if you need specific and practical advice. Employer advisors understand the local labour market and can help you:

design and word job vacancies

develop pre-employment training (specific to a job)

recruit in new and fair ways (such as offering flexible working patterns)

access Jobcentre Plus office facilities for recruitment (where available)

give your existing employees the chance to mentor people who want to work

get advice and support if you need to make redundancies

The Employer Services Line can also give general advice about recruitment.

Work trials

A work trial is a short period in work you can offer to a jobseeker on benefits. It’s a way for you both to see if the job is a good fit.

It happens after you’ve interviewed them for a specific role. If they’re not suitable for it, you do not need to offer it to them.

Jobseekers volunteer for a work trial. They keep getting their benefits whilst they’re on it and are not paid a wage.

Eligibility

The work trial must:

only be used as a way for you and the potential employee to decide if they’re right for the role

be for a job where the jobseeker is the only person you’re considering hiring

be for a job which is at least 16 hours a week for at least 13 weeks

You need to agree the length of the work trial with the jobseeker before it starts. It must:

end when you’re sure about whether the jobseeker is suitable for the role

last no more than 5 days if the job is for less than 6 months

last no more than 30 days (and usually around 5 days) for jobs lasting 6 months or more

The work trial can be longer than 30 days if the jobseeker needs more time to adjust to being back at work. This needs to be agreed before the work trial starts.

Jobcentre Plus will check that the employee has volunteered for the trial and that it meets the eligibility criteria.

How to carry out a work trial

You need to agree a work trial with Jobcentre Plus before you offer it to a jobseeker.

Call the Employer Services Line to find out more.

Work experience and apprenticeships

Work experience

Work experience is available to:

all 18 to 24 year olds

people aged 25 and over who do not have any recent work history

If you offer a young person work experience you’ll be helping to give them a better chance of finding work.

Read the work experience guidance for employers to find out what’s expected of you.

Call the Employer Services Line if you want help to become a work experience host.

Apprenticeships

These are organised through the National Apprenticeship Service and often follow a period of work experience. They combine practical training with study.

If you take on an apprentice, you can get funding to train them. You might also be able to get an apprenticeship grant if you run a small or medium-sized business.

Apprenticeships are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Other employment schemes

Jobcentre Plus employment schemes can help you to recruit people as well as creating opportunities for people looking for work.

New Enterprise Allowance

This provides Jobcentre Plus claimants with mentoring and financial support to help start their own business. You can contact the provider in your area if you want to become a mentor.

Sector-based work academy programme

The sector-based work academy programme provides training, work experience and a guaranteed job interview. It can help you fill your vacancies more effectively.

The sector-based work academy programme is only available in England and Scotland.

advice about offering work experience and apprenticeships

Jobcentre Plus help for recruiters

Overview

recruitment advice, including specialist support for businesses

support if you employ someone with a disability (Access to Work)

advice and guidance on employing someone with a disability or health condition

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Recruitment advice and support

Contact the Employer Services Line for advice about recruiting for your business.

design and word job vacancies

develop pre-employment training (specific to a job)

recruit in new and fair ways (such as offering flexible working patterns)

access Jobcentre Plus office facilities for recruitment (where available)

give your existing employees the chance to mentor people who want to work

get advice and support if you need to make redundancies

The Employer Services Line can also give general advice about recruitment.

Work trials

Eligibility

The work trial must:

be for a job where the jobseeker is the only person you’re considering hiring

be for a job which is at least 16 hours a week for at least 13 weeks

end when you’re sure about whether the jobseeker is suitable for the role

last no more than 5 days if the job is for less than 6 months

How to carry out a work trial

Call the Employer Services Line to find out more.

Work experience and apprenticeships

Work experience

Work experience is available to:

all 18 to 24 year olds

people aged 25 and over who do not have any recent work history

Call the Employer Services Line if you want help to become a work experience host.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Other employment schemes

New Enterprise Allowance

Sector-based work academy programme

The sector-based work academy programme is only available in England and Scotland.

Jobcentre Plus help for recruiters

Overview

recruitment advice, including specialist support for businesses

advice about offering work experience and apprenticeships

support if you employ someone with a disability (Access to Work)

advice and guidance on employing someone with a disability or health condition

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Recruitment advice and support

Contact the Employer Services Line for advice about recruiting for your business.

design and word job vacancies

develop pre-employment training (specific to a job)

recruit in new and fair ways (such as offering flexible working patterns)

access Jobcentre Plus office facilities for recruitment (where available)

give your existing employees the chance to mentor people who want to work

get advice and support if you need to make redundancies

The Employer Services Line can also give general advice about recruitment.

Work trials

Eligibility

The work trial must:

be for a job where the jobseeker is the only person you’re considering hiring

be for a job which is at least 16 hours a week for at least 13 weeks

end when you’re sure about whether the jobseeker is suitable for the role

last no more than 5 days if the job is for less than 6 months

How to carry out a work trial

Call the Employer Services Line to find out more.

Work experience and apprenticeships

Work experience

Work experience is available to:

all 18 to 24 year olds

people aged 25 and over who do not have any recent work history

Call the Employer Services Line if you want help to become a work experience host.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Other employment schemes

New Enterprise Allowance

Sector-based work academy programme

The sector-based work academy programme is only available in England and Scotland.