Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)

Overview

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. You can also apply if you’re the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland.

If your application is successful, you’ll get either settled or pre-settled status.

The EEA (the EU Settlement Scheme) includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

You may be able to stay in the UK without applying - for example, if you’re an Irish citizen or already have indefinite leave to remain.

Sign up for email updates about the scheme (the EU Settlement Scheme).

When you can apply

The EU Settlement Scheme is open. You can apply now if you meet the criteria.

The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021. You must usually have started living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

The deadlines are different in some situations, for example if:

you’re applying to join a close family member

the family member of a British citizen (‘Surinder Singh’ applications)

you stop being exempt from immigration control

Which status you get may depend on when you apply.

Fees

It’s free to apply to the scheme (the EU Settlement Scheme).

Who should apply

Except in a few cases, you need to apply if:

you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, but your family member is (or is an eligible person of Northern Ireland)

This means you need to apply even if you:

were born in the UK but are not a British citizen - you can check if you’re a British citizen if you’re not sure

have a UK ‘permanent residence document’

are a family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who does not need to apply - including if they’re from Ireland (Northern Ireland)

are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen with a British citizen family member

If you have children, you need to apply for them separately.

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and you have a family member who is an eligible person of Northern Ireland, you may be able to choose which way you apply.

Who else can apply

You can apply to join your EU, EEA or Swiss family member if they started living in the UK by 31 December 2020. You can either:

apply from outside the UK, if you have a certain type of passport, identity card or residence document

come to the UK on an EU Settlement Scheme family permit and apply to the settlement scheme once you’re here

You cannot apply to the EU settlement scheme (the settlement scheme) from inside the UK if you arrived after 31 December 2020 and you’re here:

on a Standard Visitor visa, Permitted Paid Engagement visa, Parent of a Child Student visa or Transit visa

without a visa, for example if you came through an e-passport gate

You also cannot apply if you’re here on a Marriage Visitor visa, unless you’re applying after you have married or entered into a civil partnership with the EU, EEA or Swiss person you’re joining.

Irish citizens do not need to apply to the settlement scheme. If they choose to, they can apply from within the UK regardless of how they entered.

If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

You also may be able to apply if:

you used to have an EU, EEA or Swiss family member living in the UK (but you’ve separated, they’ve died or the family relationship has broken down)

you’re the family member of a British citizen and you lived outside the UK in an EEA country together

you’re the family member of a British citizen who also has EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship and who lived in the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen before getting British citizenship

you have a family member who is an eligible person of Northern Ireland

you’re the primary carer of a British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

you’re the child of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who used to live and work in the UK, or the child’s primary carer

you’re the family member of a ‘frontier worker’

Who does not need to apply

You do not need to apply if you have:

indefinite leave to enter the UK

indefinite leave to remain in the UK

Irish citizenship (including British and Irish ‘dual citizenship’)

You cannot apply if you have British citizenship.

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and you moved to the UK before it (the UK) joined the EU

You only need to apply if you do not have indefinite leave to remain.
If you do have indefinite leave to remain, you’ll usually have a stamp in your passport or a letter from the Home Office saying this.

If you work in the UK but do not live here (‘frontier worker’)

You do not need to apply to the EU (the EU) Settlement Scheme if you’re a ‘frontier worker’ or have a Frontier Worker permit.

If you’re exempt from immigration control

You do not need to do anything to continue living in the UK while you’re exempt from immigration control.

You’ll have been told if you’re exempt from immigration control, for example because you’re:

a foreign diplomat posted in the UK

a member of NATO

You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme at any time, as long as you started living in the UK by 31 December 2020. Your privileges and immunities may change if you get settled status.

If you stop being exempt, you need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme within 90 days of when you stop being exempt.

If you apply after 30 June 2021, you’ll need to prove that you’re exempt from immigration control as part of your application.

Your family members may be eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme whether they are exempt from immigration control or not. They can apply at any time, even if you have not yet applied.

What you’ll get

The rights and status of EU (the EU), EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK by 31 December 2020 will remain the same until 30 June 2021.

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

If you apply to the EU (the EU) Settlement Scheme successfully, you’ll be able to continue living and working in the UK after 30 June 2021.

You’ll be given either:

settled status

pre-settled status

You will not be asked to choose which you’re applying for. Which status you get depends on how long you’ve been living in the UK when you apply. Your rights will be different depending on which status you get and when you started living in the UK.

Settled status

You’ll usually get settled status if you’ve lived in the UK for a continuous 5-year period (known as ‘continuous residence’)

Five years’ continuous residence means that for 5 years in a row you’ve been in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least 6 months in any 12 month period. The exceptions are:

one period of up to 12 months for an important reason (for example, childbirth, serious illness, study, vocational training or an overseas work posting)

compulsory military service of any length

time you spent abroad as a Crown servant, or as the family member of a Crown servant

time you spent abroad in the armed forces, or as the family member of someone in the armed forces

You may be considered to be resident in the UK on 31 December 2020 and may be eligible for settled status (pre-settled status) if you both:

lived in the UK for a continuous 5-year period in the past

have not left the UK for more than 5 years in a row since then

You can stay in the UK as long as you like if you get settled status (pre-settled status). You’ll also be able to apply for British citizenship if you’re eligible.

Pre-settled status

If you have not lived in the UK for 5 years in a row (known as ‘continuous residence’), you’ll usually get pre-settled status. You must have started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 unless you are applying as the existing close family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who started living here by then. You can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date you get pre-settled status.

You can apply to switch to settled status (pre-settled status) as soon as you’ve had 5 years’ continuous residence. The 5 years is counted from the day you first arrived in the UK. You do not need to have held pre-settled status for 5 years to apply.

You must apply for settled status (pre-settled status) before your pre-settled status (pre-settled status) expires to stay in the UK.

If you’ll reach 5 years’ continuous residence by 30 June 2021, you can choose to wait until you have 5 years’ residence to apply. This means that you’ll get settled status (pre-settled status) without having to apply for pre-settled status first if your application is successful.

If you will not reach 5 years’ continuous residence by 30 June 2021, you cannot wait until after this date (30 June 2021) to apply. You must apply for pre-settled status by 30 June 2021. You can then switch to settled status (pre-settled status) once you have 5 years’ continuous residence.

If you’ve left the UK

You may be able to get pre-settled status if you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020
but you were not here on that date (31 December 2020). You must not have left the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for more than 6 months in any 12 month period.

You may also be eligible if you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020, but you left the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for one period of no more than 12 months for an important reason (for example childbirth, serious illness, study, vocational training or an overseas work posting). Your previous residence in the UK will count towards your eligibility for pre-settled status.

Showing your continuous residence when you apply

You’ll need to show that you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020, unless you’re joining your family member who is an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and they were living here by then.

If your evidence is older than 6 months, you’ll usually also need evidence to show you were here in the last 6 months. This is to show your continuous residence.

If you’ve been outside the UK for one period of no more than 12 months, you can use evidence from before you left to show your continuous residence. You must have been outside of the UK for an important reason, for example, due to childbirth, serious illness, study, vocational training or an overseas work posting.

Check what evidence you can use to show when you started living in the UK, and that you’ve continued to live here.

Your rights with settled or pre-settled status

You’ll be able to:

work in the UK

use the NHS for free, if you can at the moment

enrol in education or study in the UK

access public funds such as benefits and pensions, if you’re eligible for them

travel in and out of the UK

You’ll have different rights if you get settled or pre-settled status because you’ve applied to join your EU, EEA or Swiss family member and you arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020. For example, you will not be able to bring your own family members under the EU Settlement Scheme.

If you want to spend time outside the UK

If you have settled status, you can spend up to 5 years in a row outside the UK without losing your status.

If you’re a Swiss citizen, you and your family members can spend up to 4 years in a row outside the UK without losing your settled status (settled status).

If you have pre-settled status, you can spend up to 2 years in a row outside the UK without losing your status (settled status). You will need to maintain your continuous residence if you want to qualify for settled status.

If you have children after applying

If you get settled status, any children born in the UK while you’re living here will automatically be British citizens.

If you get pre-settled status, any children born in the UK will be automatically eligible for pre-settled status. They will only be a British citizen if they qualify for it (pre-settled status) through their other parent.

If you want to bring family members to the UK

If you’re a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, your close family members can join you if all of the following apply:

you were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020

your relationship with them (your close family members) started on or before 31 December 2020 (unless they (your close family members)’re a child born or adopted after that date (31 December 2020))

the relationship still exists when they (your close family members) apply to join you

If your family member is from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, they can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK if they hold either a valid passport or identity card with a biometric chip.

If your family member is not from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, they can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK. They must hold a relevant UK document, for example:

a residence card

a permanent residence card

a derivative residence card

Otherwise, they (your family member) will need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme (the EU Settlement Scheme) family permit to come to the UK. Once they (your family member)’re in the UK they (your family member) can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

They (your family member) cannot apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from inside the UK if they (your family member) arrived after 31 December 2020 and they (your family member)’re here:

on a Standard Visitor visa, Permitted Paid Engagement visa, Parent of a Child Student visa or Transit visa

without a visa, for example if they (your family member) came through an e-passport gate

They (your family member) also cannot apply if they (your family member)’re here on a Marriage Visitor visa, unless they (your family member)’re applying after you’ve married or entered into a civil partnership with them (your family member).

Irish citizens can apply from inside the UK regardless of how they entered.

If you cannot bring your family member under the EU Settlement Scheme, they may still be able to come here in a different way, for example on a family visa.

Family members of Swiss citizens

If you’re a Swiss citizen, you can also bring your spouse or civil partner to the UK until 31 December 2025 if both of the following apply:

your relationship with them (your spouse or civil partner) began between 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2025 (31 December 2020)

you are still in the relationship when they (your spouse or civil partner) apply to join you

What you'll need to apply

If you’re an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen and you started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you’ll need proof of:

your identity

your residence in the UK, unless you have a valid permanent residence document, or valid indefinite leave to remain in or enter the UK

You’ll need to provide this proof again when you apply to change your pre-settled status for settled status.

Proof of identity

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you need a valid passport or valid national identity card. You also need to provide a digital photo of your face.

If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you need to provide one of the following:

a valid passport

a valid biometric residence permit

a valid biometric residence card

You also need to provide a digital photo of your face. If you do not already have a valid biometric residence card, you will also need to provide your fingerprints (this is not needed for children under 5).

If you do not have any of these you may be able to use other evidence in certain situations. Contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre if you do not have any of the listed documents.

If you’re applying for your child, you’ll need to prove their identity. You might also need to prove their residence in the UK.

When you apply, you can either:

scan your document and upload your photo using the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app using an Android phone, or an iPhone 7 or above

send your document in the post and upload your photo using the online application (the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app) (you can take this yourself)

Scan your document

You can use the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app on:

an Android phone

an iPhone 7 or above

To scan your documents using a phone, you’ll need one of the following:

a valid EU, EEA or Swiss passport or ID card, if it’s biometric

a UK-issued biometric residence card

You can use someone else’s phone to prove your identity.

Send your document by post

You must send your document by post if you have a:

non-EU or non-EEA passport

biometric residence permit

non-biometric ID card

You can send other types of document in the post if you cannot use the ‘ID Document Check’ app (the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app).

Proof of continuous residence

To be eligible for settled status, you usually need to have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least 6 months in any 12 month period for 5 years in a row. You need to provide proof of this when you apply.

If you’ve not lived here for 5 years in a row you may still be eligible for pre-settled status.

If you arrived in the UK by 31 December 2020, you can give your National Insurance number to allow an automated check of your residence based on tax and certain benefit records.

If this check is successful, you’ll not need to provide any documents as proof of residence. If you’ve been here for 5 years in a row but there is not enough data to confirm this (lived), you’ll need to provide documents.

The Home Office will tell you immediately after you apply if you need to provide any documents. You should submit photos or scans of your documents through the online application form, rather than sending them by post.

Read what documents you can provide to the Home Office if you’re asked to provide more evidence.

If you have criminal convictions

If you’re 18 or over, the Home Office will check you have not committed serious or repeated crimes, and that you do not pose a security threat.

You’ll be asked to declare convictions that appear in your criminal record in the UK or overseas.

You do not need to declare any of the following:

convictions that do not need to be disclosed (‘spent convictions’)

warnings (‘cautions’)

alternatives to prosecution, for example speeding fines

You’ll also be checked against the UK’s (the UK) crime databases.

You’ll still be eligible for settled or pre-settled status if you’ve only been convicted of a minor crime.

You may still get settled or pre-settled status even if you have other convictions. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

If you’ve been to prison, you usually need 5 years’ continuous residence from the day you were released to be considered for settled status.

If you’re applying to join your EU, EEA or Swiss family member

You’ll need to provide proof of your relationship to your family member from the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

If your family member in the UK does not already have settled or pre-settled status, you will also need to provide proof:

of their (your family member in the UK) identity

of their (your family member in the UK) nationality

that they (your family member in the UK) lived in the UK by 31 December 2020, and have continued living here since

Read what documents you can provide to show when they (your family member in the UK) started living here and have continued living here since.

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

Applying for your children

Each child must have their own application. You can apply for your child or they can apply for themselves.

Your child is eligible for settled or pre-settled status if they’re under 21 and either they’re:

an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, but you are - or your spouse or civil partner is

If your child was born in the UK but is not a British citizen, they will still need to apply. You can check if they’re a British citizen if you’re not sure.

If you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme

When you apply for your child you can ‘link’ their application to yours. This means that if your own application is successful, your child will get the same status as you.

To do this (link), select the option to apply ‘using your parent’s residence’, then enter your application number.

You will need to do this (link) for each child you apply for.

You can use your own email address in the application if your child does not have one.

You can apply for your child any time after you’ve made your own application - you do not need to wait for a decision.

What proof you need

You’ll need proof of:

your relationship to your child when you make their application

your child’s (your child) identity

when your child started living in the UK, if they (your child) started living here by 31 December 2020

your child’s (your child) continuous residence in the UK

If the evidence of when your child started living here is more than 6 months old, you’ll also have to show they (your child) were here in the last 6 months.

Check what evidence you can use to show when your child started living in the UK, and that they (your child)’ve continued to live here.

If you have not applied to the EU Settlement Scheme

If you’re eligible for the scheme (the EU Settlement Scheme), make your own application first so that you can link your child’s application (your own application) to yours.

If you’re not eligible for the scheme (the EU Settlement Scheme) but your child is, you can still apply for them (your child). For example, if they (your child) live in the UK and you do not.

You’ll need to provide proof:

of your child’s (your child) identity

of your child’s (your child) UK (the UK) residence

that your child has 5 years’ continuous residence in the UK

If your child does not have 5 years’ continuous residence

If your child does not have 5 years’ continuous residence when they (your child) apply, they (your child)’ll usually get pre-settled status.

They (your child) can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date they (your child) get pre-settled status.

You can apply to change this (pre-settled status) to settled status once they (your child) have reached 5 years’ continuous residence. You must do this before their (your child) pre-settled status (pre-settled status) expires - this will be 5 years after the date they (your child) got pre-settled status.

If they (your child)’ll reach 5 years’ continuous residence by 30 June 2021, you can choose to wait until they (your child) reach 5 years’ continuous residence before applying. If their (your child) application is successful, they (your child)’ll get settled status without getting pre-settled status first.

If your child is born or adopted after 31 December 2020

Your children are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, even if you’ve not yet applied yourself.

If your child is born or adopted in the UK before 1 April 2021, you must make an application for them by 30 June 2021.

If your child is born or adopted in the UK on or after 1 April 2021, you must apply within 3 months of the date they were born or adopted. You’ll need to give evidence of their date of birth or the date you adopted them, such as a birth certificate or adoption order.

If you’re an Irish citizen

You do not need to apply for settled or pre-settled status if you’re an Irish citizen.

However, if you’re an Irish citizen and your child is not a British citizen, they’ll be eligible for either:

the same status that you could get, based on how long you’ve lived in the UK

settled or pre-settled status, based on their (your child) own residence

This also applies if you’re from Northern Ireland and have Irish, British or dual British and Irish citizenship, and your child does not have Irish, British or dual citizenship.

How to apply

Apply online for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

You can apply using any device, for example, a laptop, Android device or iPhone.

Check what you’ll need before you apply.

Apply

You can apply now if you’re eligible. The deadline for applying is usually 30 June 2021.

You can also choose to apply later depending on your circumstances.

If you get pre-settled status, you’ll need to apply again when you’re changing your pre-settled status for settled status.

If you’re applying for yourself and your children, make your own application first.

Start now

The Home Office will use the personal information you provide to decide whether to grant your application. Find out how the Home Office will process your personal information.

Continue your application

If you’ve already started to apply, you can continue your application.

Who cannot use this service

You cannot use the online service (this service) to apply to the scheme (the EU Settlement Scheme) if you’re applying as:

the family member of a British citizen you lived with in Switzerland or an EU or EEA country

the family member of a British citizen who also has EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship and who lived in the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen before getting British citizenship

the primary carer of a British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

the child of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who used to live and work in the UK, and you’re in education - or you’re the child’s primary carer

Contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre online to find out how to apply.

Fees

It’s free to apply to the scheme (the EU Settlement Scheme).

If you paid a fee when you applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll get a refund.

Get help

Contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre online.

You can also get help over the phone.

The phone number is different if you’re from a local council or another organisation helping others to apply.

If you’re inside the UK

If you’re outside the UK

If you’re from an organisation helping others to apply

You can also get support if you need help doing things online.

If you’re the family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

You can apply as the family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen if they started living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

Your EU, EEA or Swiss family member will usually need to apply as well. You can apply if you’re the family member of an Irish citizen, even though they do not need to.

If you’re from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK if you hold either a valid passport or identity card with a biometric chip.

If you’re not from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK if you hold a relevant UK document, for example:

a residence card

a permanent residence card

a derivative residence card

Otherwise, you will need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme (the EU Settlement Scheme) family permit to come to the UK. Once you’re in the UK you can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

You cannot apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from inside the UK if you arrived here after 31 December 2020 and you’re here:

on a Standard Visitor visa, Permitted Paid Engagement visa, Parent of a Child Student visa or Transit visa

without a visa, for example if you came through an e-passport gate

You also cannot apply if you’re here on a Marriage Visitor visa, unless you’re applying after you have married or entered into a civil partnership with the EU, EEA or Swiss person you’re joining (an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen).

Irish citizens can apply from within the UK regardless of how they entered.

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

Your family relationship

You can apply if you’re in a relationship with an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen as their spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner. The relationship must have started by 31 December 2020 and must still exist.

You can also apply if you’re related to an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, their spouse, or their civil partner if you’re their:

child, grandchild or great-grandchild under 21 years old

dependent child over the age of 21

You can also apply as a dependent parent, grandparent or great-grandparent if you have a relevant document to prove your relationship.

You can apply as another type of dependent relative if both of the following apply:

you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020

you have a relevant document to prove your relationship

You may also be able to apply if:

you’re the family member of a British citizen and you lived outside the UK in an EU or EEA country (or Switzerland) together

you used to have an EU, EEA or Swiss family member living in the UK

you’re the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland

If you’re the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland

You can apply if you’re the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland, even though they do not need to.

Follow the same process as family members of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens.

If your family member is a British citizen (‘Surinder Singh’ applications)

You may be eligible if you lived outside the UK in an EU or EEA country (or Switzerland) with your family member.

You must have lived with them (your family member) in an EU or EEA country (or Switzerland) before 1 January 2021, and be:

their (your family member) spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner

under 21 years old, and are their (your family member) child or grandchild

21 years or older, and are their (your family member) dependent child or grandchild

their (your family member) dependent parent or grandparent

You can apply as another type of dependent relative if you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

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

You cannot use the online service to apply if this is how you qualify for the scheme.

Contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre online to find out how to apply.

If you used to have an EU, EEA or Swiss family member living in the UK

You may be able to apply if you used to have a family member who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020. This is called a ‘retained right of residence’.

If you’re eligible because you have retained rights of residence, you can apply using the online service.

If you’re in education in the UK

You can apply if you’re in education, were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 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, providing they have custody of you.

If your family member has died

You can also apply if your family member has died, and you lived continuously in the UK as their (your family member) family member for at least one year immediately before their death.

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 (an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen) 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 (an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen) child

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

you or another family member was the victim of domestic abuse in the marriage or civil partnership (an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen)

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, grandchild or great-grandchild under 21 years old

dependent child over the age of 21

dependent parent, grandparent or great-grandparent

other dependent relative

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 (an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen):

husband, wife or civil partner

long-term partner

dependent child over the age of 21

other dependent relative

If you’re the ‘primary carer’ of a British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

You may be able to apply if you’re the primary carer of a British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020. Any dependent children you have may also be able to apply.

To be someone’s primary carer, you must be both:

responsible for their (someone’s) day to day care, including making decisions about their (someone’s) education, health, and finances

a family member or their (someone’s) legal guardian

You can share these responsibilities with someone else.

You cannot use the online service to apply if this is how you qualify for the scheme.

Contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre online to find out how to apply.

If you’re the primary carer of an adult

You can apply if you’re the primary carer of a dependent adult who is a British citizen and you were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020.

If you’re the primary carer of a child

You can apply if you’re the primary carer of a British child, or an EU, EEA or Swiss child who is financially independent and you were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020.

You can also apply if you’re the primary carer of an EU, EEA or Swiss child who:

is in education in the UK

has an EU, EEA or Swiss parent who has worked in the UK when the child has lived in the UK

has an EU, EEA or Swiss parent who has lived in the UK when the child has been in education

has an EU, EEA or Swiss parent who has stopped working in the UK, or left the UK

What you’ll need to apply

You’ll need to provide proof of your relationship to your EU, EEA or Swiss citizen family member - for example, a birth, marriage or civil partnership certificate, or a residence card. You can usually scan and submit this through the online application form.

If you apply before your family member (your EU, EEA or Swiss citizen family member), you’ll also need to provide evidence of their (your EU, EEA or Swiss citizen family member) identity and residence.

You might be asked to provide a certified English translation of any document that is not in English.

You do not need to provide any evidence of your relationship if you have a valid ‘UK permanent residence document’.

If you’re from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you do not have a biometric residence card, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo, or only a photo for children under 5) when you apply.

When you need to provide more evidence

In some cases, you’ll also need to provide the same documents as you would for a residence card application.

Check which documents you’d provide for a residence card application if:

your family member is a British citizen and you lived together in an EU or EEA country (or Switzerland) before 1 January 2021 - known as a ‘Surinder Singh’ application

your family member is both a British citizen and an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, and lived in the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen before getting British citizenship

you used to have an EU, EEA or Swiss family member living in the UK - known as a ‘retained rights of residence’ application

you’re the primary carer of a British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

you’re the child of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who used to live and work in the UK, or their (a British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen) primary carer

When to apply

The deadline for most applications is 30 June 2021.

If you arrive in the UK on or after 1 April 2021, you must apply within 3 months of the date you arrive in the UK. If you apply after 30 June 2021, you’ll need to provide evidence of when you arrived in the UK, for example the travel ticket you used for your journey to the UK.

You’ll probably get a decision more quickly if you apply at the same time or after your family member applies.

Your family member will be given an application number when they (your family member) apply. You can use this to ‘link’ your application to theirs (your family member), so that your applications are considered together.

If your partner is a Swiss citizen

You can apply as the spouse or civil partner of a Swiss citizen in the UK until 31 December 2025 if both of the following apply:

your relationship with them (your partner) began between 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2025

you’re still in the relationship when you apply

If you’re the family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who has died

You might be eligible for settled status before you’ve been living in the UK for 5 years.

Your family member must have been working or self-employed in the UK at the time of their (your family member) death. They (your family member) must have been resident in the UK by 31 December 2020.

You must also have been living with them (your family member) just before their (your family member) death and either:

they (your family member) lived continuously in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man for at least 2 years immediately before their (your family member) death

their (your family member) death was the result of an accident at work or an occupational disease

If you’re overseas and a family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living in the UK

If you’re not living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you’ll still be able to apply if all of the following are true:

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

your relationship began by 31 December 2020 (unless you are a child born or adopted after that date (31 December 2020))

you remain a close family member when you apply, for example a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, a dependent child or grandchild, or a dependent parent or grandparent

If your family member is a British citizen (‘Surinder Singh’ applications)

The deadline for you to return to the UK depends on your relationship with the family member.

You must return and apply by 29 March 2022 if you’re:

their (the family member) spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner and your relationship started before 1 February 2020

under 21 years old, and are their (the family member) child or grandchild

21 years or older, and are their (the family member) dependent child or grandchild

their (the family member) dependent parent or grandparent

You must return by 31 December 2020, and apply by 30 June 2021, if you’re:

their (the family member) spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner and your relationship started on or after 1 February 2020

another dependent relative

If you’re a spouse or civil partner, your dependent child, grandchild, parent or grandparent can also apply. They must return and apply by the same date as you.

If you're the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland

You can apply if you have a family member who is an eligible person of Northern Ireland, whether you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen or not.

For you to be eligible, the person of Northern Ireland who is your family member must:

be a British, Irish or dual British and Irish citizen

have been born in Northern Ireland

at the time of their (your family member) birth, have at least one parent who held British, Irish or dual citizenship (or was without any restriction on their period of residence)

be living in the UK by 31 December 2020

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

You can choose whether you apply as either:

an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen - use the online service to apply

a family member of an eligible person from Northern Ireland - contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre online

If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme using the online service.

If you’re outside the UK, you’ll need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme (the 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 have permanent residence or indefinite leave to remain

The process of applying to the EU Settlement Scheme is different if you have a permanent residence document or indefinite leave to enter or remain.

If you have a valid ‘UK permanent residence document’

If you have a valid UK permanent residence document, you’ll have one of the following:

a certificate inside your blue ‘residence documentation’ booklet (or pink if you’re a Swiss national)

a certificate inside your passport

a biometric residence card confirming permanent residence (only if you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen)

Your document is not a permanent residence document if it has ‘registration certificate’ written on it.

If you’re from the EU, EEA or Switzerland your permanent residence document will say ‘Document Certifying Permanent Residence’.

If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, your biometric residence card will say ‘Permanent Residence Status’.

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

What you must do

To continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021 you must have either:

applied to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 - you will not have to prove you have 5 years’ continuous residence

been granted citizenship by 30 June 2021

If you have indefinite leave to enter or remain

Indefinite leave to enter or remain (ILR) are types of immigration status.

You’ll usually have applied for indefinite leave to enter or remain. You’ll have a stamp in your passport or a letter from the Home Office. You could also have a ‘vignette’ (sticker) or a biometric residence permit.

You can continue to live in the UK without applying to the EU Settlement Scheme if you have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK. However, if you choose to apply (and meet all the other conditions), you’ll get ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’ - also known as settled status.

This (settled status) means you should be able to spend up to 5 years in a row outside the UK without losing your settled status (settled status) (instead of 2 years with the indefinite leave to enter or remain you have now).

If you’re a Swiss citizen, you and your family members can spend up to 4 years in a row outside the UK without losing your settled status (settled status).

You will not have to prove you have 5 years’ continuous residence.

If you moved to the UK before it (the UK) joined the EU (EU) on 1 January 1973

You may have been given ILR automatically if you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who lived in the UK before 1973. If you were, you will not need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to stay in the UK after June 2021.

If you do not have a document confirming your ILR status, you can either:

apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to get settled or pre-settled status

apply to the Windrush scheme to get proof of your ILR status

If you’re from Malta or Cyprus, you could also apply for British citizenship through the Windrush scheme.

Applications for either scheme are free of charge.

If you stop working or start work in an EU country

You and your family members can get settled status with less than 5 years’ continuous residence in certain situations.

If you have to stop working

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen you may be able to get settled status if you have to stop working or being self-employed because of an accident or illness (known as ‘permanent incapacity’).

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

You may be able to get settled status if either:

you have lived continuously in the UK for the 2 years immediately beforehand

the permanent incapacity was the result of an accident at work or an occupational disease that entitles you to a pension from a UK institution

You can also get settled status if you’re married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen.

If you’re the family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen at the time they stopped working you may also be eligible for settled status.

If you reach State Pension age or retire early

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen you may be able to get settled status if you reach State Pension age or retire early.

If you’re the family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen at the time they reach State Pension age or retire early you may also be eligible for settled status.

If you reach State Pension age

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you can get settled status if you stopped working when you reached State Pension age and either:

you worked continuously or were self employed for 1 year beforehand and have lived continuously in the UK for 3 years

your spouse or civil partner is a British citizen

If you retire early

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen you can get settled status if you retire early and either:

you worked continuously (for someone other than yourself) for 1 year beforehand and have lived continuously in the UK for 3 years

If you start work or self-employment in an EU country

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen you can get settled status if you start work or self-employment in an EU country and you both:

have lived and worked or been self-employed in the UK continuously for 3 years beforehand

usually return to your UK home once a week

If you’re the family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen at the time they start work or self-employment in an EU country you may also be eligible for settled status.

After you've applied

If your application is successful, a letter will be emailed to you confirming your settled or pre-settled status.

Find out what rights you get for each status.

You cannot use the letter itself to prove your status.

Viewing and proving your status

You can view your status or prove it (your status) to someone else online. You will not usually get a physical document.

If you’re from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland

You will get a physical document if you do not already have a biometric residence card.

The document you get under the EU Settlement Scheme proves your rights in the UK only.

To travel to the EU, EEA or Switzerland with your EU, EEA or Swiss family member, you’ll need to apply for a visa for the country you want to visit. This will be free.

You can still prove your rights in the UK (UK) until 30 June 2021 with your passport or national identity card (if you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen), or with your biometric residence document (The document you get under the EU Settlement Scheme).

If you already have a biometric residence card, you do not need to apply for a new one once you have settled or pre-settled status.

Updating your details

You must keep your details up to date, for example if you get a new passport.

Applying for citizenship

You’ll usually be able to apply for citizenship 12 months after you’ve got settled status.

If the Home Office finds a mistake in your application

The Home Office will contact you before making a decision on your application, so you can correct the error (a mistake in your application).

They (the Home Office)’ll also tell you if you need to provide more evidence before they (the Home Office) can make a decision.

If your application is unsuccessful

You can apply again at any time until 30 June 2021 if you think the decision should have been different, for example you got pre-settled status but expected to get settled status.

There’s no charge for this.

You can submit new information or evidence if you want to.

Apply for an administrative review

You may be able to apply for an administrative review of your application if you think there’s been a mistake. It (an administrative review) costs £80 and you’ll usually get the result within 28 days.

You’ll get your money back if the original decision (the decision) is changed because of an error.

You can submit new evidence as part of an administrative review but you will not get your money back if the decision is changed because of the new evidence.

Appeal the decision

You can also make an appeal to an independent tribunal. You can only appeal applications made after 11pm on 31 January 2020.

If you already have an outstanding immigration application

In most cases, your outstanding immigration application (an outstanding immigration application) will not be considered if you apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. You’ll get a refund for your outstanding application (an outstanding immigration application).

Contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to find out how your outstanding immigration application will be affected.

More detailed guidance is available.

Switch from pre-settled status to settled status

If you have pre-settled status, you can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date you got your (pre-settled status) status (pre-settled status).

You must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme again before your pre-settled status (pre-settled status) expires to stay in the UK.

When to apply

You can apply to switch to settled status as soon as you’re eligible. This is usually after you’ve lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 5 years in a row (known as ‘continuous residence’).

The 5 years (5 years) is counted from the day you first arrived in the UK. You do not need to have held pre-settled status for 5 years to apply.

You may not be eligible for settled status if during the 5 years (5 years) you spent more than 6 months outside the UK in a 12 month period.

Find out more about continuous residence and if you’re eligible for settled status.

If you’re not eligible for settled status

If you’re not eligible for settled status because you spent more than 6 months outside the UK in a 12 month period, you may be able to get pre-settled status again.

Both of the following must apply:

the time you spent outside the UK was before 31 December 2020

you were back in the UK on or before 31 December 2020

You usually need to apply before 30 June 2021. There are different rules if you’re applying as the close family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen.

If you cannot get pre-settled status again and your current status is about to expire, apply for a visa to stay in the UK.

What you’ll need

You can use the same proof you used to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme the first time.

Check what you’ll need to prove your identity and residence status.

If your pre-settled status (pre-settled status) was based on your relationship to a family member from the EU, EEA or Switzerland (Swiss), you’ll also need proof of your relationship to your EU, EEA or Swiss family member.

Apply to switch your status

It is free to apply.

Start now

After you’ve applied

If your application is successful, a letter will be emailed to you confirming your status.

If you’re given settled status

You can stay in the UK as long as you like. You’ll usually be able to apply for citizenship 12 months after you’ve got settled status.

If you’re given pre-settled status again

You can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date on your Home Office decision letter.

You can apply for settled status after you’ve lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 5 years in a row (known as ‘continuous residence’).

Find out what to do if you think the decision should have been different.


Apply for settlement if you're a Turkish Worker or Businessperson

Overview

You can apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) if you’re in the UK on a:

Turkish Worker visa

Turkish Businessperson visa

Your family members (‘dependants’) can also apply for settlement.

Fees

The application fee is £2,389.

You also need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

If you have family members applying for settlement with you, you’ll need to pay the £2,389 application fee (The application fee) and the £19.20 biometric information fee for each person.

If your partner is applying to extend their visa, their fee is £1,033 instead. They’ll need to pay the healthcare surcharge.

How long you can stay

Getting indefinite leave to remain (indefinite leave to remain (settlement)) means you can continue to live and work in the UK for as long as you like. It (indefinite leave to remain (settlement)) will mean you’re eligible:

to take up any job

to run a business

for public services, such as healthcare and schools

for public funds and pensions

for British citizenship, if you meet the requirements

Eligibility

To be eligible to settle in the UK, you must have:

passed the Life in the UK test

registered with the police if you were told to

been living and working in the UK for the last 5 years without receiving public funds

spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months in the last 5 years

You must continue to run a business if you’re on a Turkish Businessperson visa.

Your application might be refused if, for example, you’ve:

got a criminal record in the UK or another country

provided false or incomplete information to the Home Office

broken UK immigration law

Read the guidance on why applications can be refused.

Documents you must provide

You must provide:

a current passport or other valid travel identification

previous passports showing you’ve been living legally in the UK for the past 5 years - if your current passport does not show this

the unique reference code that proves you passed the English language requirement (the knowledge of language requirement)

your police registration certificate covering the past 5 years (unless you did not need to register)

If you’re a Turkish Businessperson

You’ll also need to prove that you’re continuing to run a business. You might need to provide documents, such as:

invoices showing work done

business bank statements

proof of National Insurance contributions - if appropriate

advertising materials

proof of renting or having purchased business premises

Family members

Your family members (‘dependants’) can also apply to settle or extend their visa if they are:

your partner (husband, wife, civil partner or the person you’ve been in a genuine relationship with for 5 years before applying to settle)

your child under 21 or in limited circumstances over 21 (including children born in the UK)

Partners applying for indefinite leave to remain

If your partner is applying for indefinite leave to remain, they must:

have been granted leave as your dependant

have lived in the UK with you for a continuous period of 5 years

have met the knowledge of language and Life in the UK test

Partners applying to extend their visa

If you already have indefinite leave to remain, but your partner has not been here for 5 years on your visa (their visa) they can apply to extend their visa.

For your partner to qualify, they must:

have last been granted entry clearance or leave to remain as your dependant

be living together with you in a genuine relationship

be living in suitable accommodation which you maintain without access to public funds

be registered with the police if they were told to

Children applying for indefinite leave to remain

For your children or child to apply for indefinite leave to remain, they (your partner) must:

apply at the same time as both parents, or where both parents are settled already

not be married, in a civil partnership, have formed an independent family unit or be leading an independent life

have met the knowledge of language requirement and Life in the UK test - if they’re 18 or over

have registered with the police if they were told to and are 16 or over

Your child may also be able to apply if one of the following applies:

you’re the child’s only living parent

you have sole responsibility for them (the child’s)

there are serious reasons to let your child (the child’s) stay in the UK, for example they (the child’s) have a serious illness

their (the child’s) other parent is in the UK legally

If you already have indefinite leave to remain, your child (the child’s) may be eligible to apply if their (the child’s) other parent is extending a Turkish visa.

Documents your family need to provide

Each family member must provide:

2 passport size colour photographs

proof of your relationship, for example a marriage or birth certificate, council tax bills or bank statements

proof they will live permanently with you, for example letters from your child’s school or their (the child’s) doctor

proof that you have sole responsibility for any children aged under 21 if the other parent will not be in the UK (for example, written permission or relevant legal documents)

Apply

You can apply to settle in the UK (indefinite leave to remain). Your family members (‘dependants’) can also apply to settle or extend their visa. You must be in the UK to apply.

You must apply online.

Get help using a computer to apply online

You can get help with:

accessing a computer or the internet

finding the right information on GOV.UK

You cannot get advice on:

whether you’re eligible to apply

what information to put in your application

an application you’ve already made

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).

Any children aged 6 and over who you’ve included in your application form must also provide biometric information.

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

upload them (your supporting documents) into the online service

have them (your supporting documents) scanned at your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.


Claim asylum in the UK

Overview

You must apply for asylum if you want to stay in the UK as a refugee.

To be eligible you must have left your country and be unable to go back because you fear persecution.

Apply for a visa if you want to come to the UK for another reason (for example to work, study or remain with family). If you’re already in the UK and want to remain with family living here, apply for a family of a settled person visa.

You should apply when you arrive in the UK or as soon as you think it would be unsafe for you to return to your own country (your country). Your application is more likely to be denied if you wait.

When you apply you’ll have a meeting with an immigration officer (known as a ‘screening’).

After your screening the Home Office will decide if your claim can be considered in the UK. If it can, you’ll have an asylum interview with a caseworker.

You’ll usually get a decision on your application (your claim) within 6 months.

You can get up to 2 years in prison or have to leave the UK if you give false information on your application (your claim).

Waiting for your decision

You’ll be told after your screening what you must do while you’re waiting for your asylum decision (your decision), for example report to a caseworker regularly (known as ‘reporting meetings’).

You must tell the authorities if your situation changes.

You will not usually be allowed to work while your asylum claim (your claim) is being considered.

Help you can get

You can get help with:

getting legal representation for your asylum claim (your claim)

living in the UK while you wait for your decision

Children applying on their own

You can apply as a child on your own if you do not have an adult relative who is also claiming asylum.

Eligibility

To stay in the UK as a refugee you must be unable to live safely in any part of your own country because you fear persecution there.

If you’re stateless, your own country is the country you usually live in.

This persecution must be because of:

your race

your religion

your nationality

your political opinion

anything else that puts you at risk because of the social, cultural, religious or political situation in your country (your own country), for example, your gender, gender identity or sexual orientation

You must have failed to get protection from authorities in your own country.

When your claim might not be considered

Your claim might not be considered if you:

are from an EU country

travelled to the UK through a ‘safe third country’

have a connection to a safe third country where you could claim asylum

Generally, a safe third country is one that:

you’re not a citizen of

you would not be harmed in

would not send you on to another country where you would be harmed

Family members

You can include your partner and your children under 18 as ‘dependants’ in your application if they’re with you in the UK.

Your children under 18 and your partner can also make their own applications at the same time, but they will not be treated as your dependants.

Documents you must provide

You’ll need documents for yourself and your dependants (partner and children under 18) for your asylum screening.

Documents you should bring (if you have them) include:

passports and travel documents

police registration certificates

identification documents, for example identity cards, birth and marriage certificates or school records

anything you think will help your application

Documents to prove your UK address

If you’re already in the UK, you and your dependants must bring documents that prove your UK address.

You’ll need different documents depending on whether you’re living in your own accommodation or staying with someone else.

Living in your own accommodation

You’ll need to provide documents showing your full name and address. This could be a:

bank statement

housing benefit book

council tax notice

tenancy agreement

household bill

Staying with someone else

You’ll need to provide:

a recent letter (less than 3 months old) from the person you’re staying with (someone else) to confirm you have their (someone else) permission to stay

documents showing the full name and address of the person you’re staying with, like a council tax notice, tenancy agreement or household bill

Register your asylum claim

You register your asylum claim at a ‘screening’. This is a meeting with an immigration officer where you tell them about your case.

You’ll have your screening at the UK border if you claim asylum as soon as you arrive. You can also be screened once you’re in the UK if you become eligible for asylum.

At your screening (a ‘screening’) you’ll:

be photographed

have your fingerprints taken

have an interview to check who you are and where you’re from

You’ll be asked why you want asylum. You can bring written evidence to support your claim (your asylum claim) if you want, as well as your identification documents.

You’ll need to say if you or your dependants are taking any medication and give any relevant medical information.

You can ask for a male or female interviewer, but your choice might not always be available.

Screening at the UK border

You must tell a Border Force officer that you want to claim asylum.

Your application will be registered and you’ll be screened - ask for an interpreter if you need one.

Screening in the UK

You must call the asylum intake unit if you’re already in the UK.

They (the asylum intake unit)’ll call you back and ask simple questions about you and your family. You will not be asked why you’re claiming asylum during this telephone call (call).

You’ll be asked if you need help with housing. You might also be asked questions relating to coronavirus (COVID-19).

The call (call) may take up to 30 minutes.

You do not need to make an appointment if you have nowhere to live - call the asylum intake unit to find out what asylum registration location you should go to and its (the asylum intake unit) opening hours.

Tell the asylum intake unit if you need any other dependants on your claim (your asylum claim) to be present at any stage of your asylum registration, for example the welfare interview, or if you’re a child and need to be accompanied. You can ask to have an interpreter at your screening.

Your appointment might be in a temporary location.

Attending your appointment

Because of coronavirus (coronavirus (COVID-19)), attend your appointment alone or with any dependants claiming asylum with you.

If you’re helping a child register their own asylum claim, only you can go with them to their appointment.

You must bring the documents you need for your application.

You must also bring any dependants (partner and children under 18) who are claiming asylum with you.

If you show up without an appointment, you may be asked to come back another day.

You cannot get financial help for travel to or from the asylum intake unit.

Tell the appointment service if your situation changes before your appointment date, for example if you can no longer stay where you are living.

After your screening

After your screening, the Home Office will review your case and decide whether it can be considered in the UK.

You’ll be sent an asylum registration card (ARC) to your UK (the UK) address, unless you’ve been detained.

If the Home Office cannot send you an ARC immediately, they (the Home Office)’ll send you an appointment letter telling you what to do next.

You might also be sent a ‘preliminary information questionnaire’. If you get one, fill it in and return it by the deadline - the address and deadline are written on the letter that comes with the questionnaire. If you cannot fill it in, call the Home Office (the Home Office) asylum team. Their phone number is on the letter.

If your case can be considered in the UK, it (your case) will be given to a caseworker.

If your case cannot be considered in the UK

You may be sent to a safe country that will consider your asylum claim. This might happen if you’ve travelled to the UK through a safe third country or you have a connection with another country that you could claim asylum in.

Generally, a safe country is one that:

you’re not a citizen of

you would not be harmed in

would not send you on to another country where you would be harmed

The Home Office can decide to send you to a safe country after either your screening or your asylum interview.

If the Home Office cannot place you in another safe country, your case will be considered in the UK and given to a caseworker.

Caseworkers

You’ll have an asylum interview with your caseworker (a caseworker). They (a caseworker)’ll make a decision about your application (your case).

They (a caseworker)’ll also explain the asylum process and tell you what to do while you wait for an asylum decision, such as go to regular reporting meetings.

You may be detained if you do not go to your reporting meetings (regular reporting meetings).

Tell your caseworker (a caseworker) if you have any special needs, for example if you have a disability or need medication.

Your ARC

The ARC (Your ARC) shows you’ve applied for asylum. You can use it (Your ARC) to:

show who you are

show whether you have permission to work

get health or education services

You must take your ARC with you when you go to your reporting meetings (regular reporting meetings).

If you do not have your ARC

Contact the Home Office using the online form if you have any problems - for example:

you’ve not got your ARC through the post

you’ve lost it (Your ARC)

it (Your ARC)’s been stolen

it (Your ARC)’s expired

You’ll be asked to give your Home Office or port reference number, and your ARC reference (if you know it).

Being detained

You may be detained at an immigration removal centre while you wait for a decision on your application (your case).

You’ll either be:

released if you get permission to stay in the UK

held until you’re removed from the UK if you do not get permission to stay

You can also be detained and removed if it’s decided that another country is responsible for offering you asylum.

You may be able to appeal against the decision (decided).

When you will not be detained

You will not usually be detained if:

you’re a child

you’re elderly

you’re a family with children

you’re pregnant

you’re accepted as being a victim of trafficking

you’re able to provide independent evidence of torture

you have a mental or physical condition that cannot be managed or would present a risk to others in an immigration removal centre

Asylum interview

Your asylum interview will take place soon after your screening.

Your application will usually be rejected if you do not go to your asylum interview.

You’ll get a letter telling you when and where to attend and if any of your dependants also need to be interviewed.

The interview (Your asylum interview)

You’ll usually be interviewed alone, without your family members. An interpreter will be provided, if you need one.

The information you provide will be treated in confidence and will not be disclosed to the authorities in your own country.

Use this interview (Your asylum interview) to explain:

how you were persecuted in your country (your own country)

why you’re afraid to go back to your country (your own country)

You may be asked questions about difficult topics but it’s important that you explain what has happened to you and your family.

You must tell the caseworker everything you want them to consider or it can count against you.

Bring all the evidence you have of your persecution. You may be asked to send further evidence to your caseworker (the caseworker) after the interview (Your asylum interview), if they (the caseworker) think it might help your application.

You should also bring your birth certificate, passport and medical records if you have them.

Your caseworker (the caseworker) will make notes in a document called an ‘interview record’. You’ll get a copy of this at the end of the interview (Your asylum interview).

Legal representative

You can bring a legal representative to this interview (Your asylum interview), for example a lawyer or solicitor. Find out if you can get help paying for legal advice about asylum.

Your interview (Your asylum interview) will take place even if your legal representative is not there. You cannot ask for more time to get a legal representative.

You can ask for this interview (Your asylum interview) to be tape recorded if you do not have legal representation. Ask your caseworker (the caseworker) at least one day before.

Get a decision

Your application will usually be decided within 6 months. It (Your application) may take longer if it (Your application)’s complicated, for example:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend more interviews

your personal circumstances need to be checked, for example because you have a criminal conviction or you’re currently being prosecuted

Ask your legal adviser if you want an update on your application.

You’ll be given or refused permission to stay in one of the following ways.

Permission to stay as a refugee

You and your dependants may be given permission to stay in the UK for 5 years if you qualify for asylum. This (Permission to stay as a refugee) is known as ‘leave to remain’.

After 5 years, you can apply to settle in the UK.

Permission to stay for humanitarian reasons

You may get permission to stay for humanitarian reasons (Permission to stay as a refugee) if you do not qualify for asylum. This (Permission to stay as a refugee) means you need to stay in the UK for your protection.

You and your dependants may be given permission to stay in the UK for 5 years. This (Permission to stay as a refugee) is known as ‘leave to enter’ or ‘leave to remain’.

Permission to stay for other reasons (Permission to stay as a refugee)

You may get permission to stay for other reasons if you do not qualify for permission to stay as a refugee or for humanitarian reasons.

How long you can stay will depend on your situation.

You may be able to apply to extend your stay or settle in the UK towards the end of your stay.

No reason to stay

You’ll be asked to leave the UK if you do not qualify for asylum and your caseworker decides there’s no other reason for you to stay.

You may be able to appeal against the decision.

You’ll have to leave if you do not appeal in the time allowed, or if your appeal is unsuccessful. You can:

leave by yourself - you can get help with returning home

be forced to leave - you’ll get a letter before this happens, then you may be detained without warning at an immigration removal centre and then removed from the UK

Help you can get

You can get help from asylum helplines run by charities.

They (asylum helplines run by charities) can help with:

explaining your asylum claim, for example getting a solicitor or lawyer to represent you

living in the UK while your claim (your asylum claim) is being considered, for example getting asylum support, housing problems, dealing with agencies or finding English language classes and schools

Legal advice

You can get legal advice to help your asylum claim.

Housing and money

You may also be able to get housing and money (‘asylum support’) to support you and your family. This will only start from the day of your screening if you qualify.

Help returning home

You may be able to get help with returning home.

If you're under 18

This information is for children applying on their own.

If you have an adult relative who’s claiming asylum you should apply as part of that relative’s application instead.

You’re not in the care of social services

You should use the walk-in service at the asylum intake unit.

If you have an adult who is legally responsible for you

The adult who is taking responsibility for your care (an adult who is legally responsible for you) must attend the walk-in service at the asylum intake unit with you.

If you’re living with several relatives the closest blood relative willing to take responsibility for you must attend.

The adult (an adult relative who’s claiming asylum) must provide proof of address and photo ID (passport or driving licence).

If you do not have an adult who is legally responsible for you

You should go to the police or social services, or you can walk into the asylum intake unit.

You’re in the care of social services

You must book an appointment at the asylum intake unit by calling the appointment booking line.

You’ll need the following information when you book your appointment:

your name, date of birth and nationality

the number on your passport or national identity document, if you have one - or the number on your birth certificate if you do not

your foster carer’s name and contact details

details of any medical conditions you have

For more information read the guidance on processing asylum applications from children.


Appeal an asylum support decision

Overview

You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum Support) if:

you’ve applied for asylum support and been turned down

you were claiming asylum support and it’s been stopped

The tribunal (the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum Support)) must receive your appeal within 3 days of you getting the letter about the decision - you may be able to carry on claiming asylum support (if you were already getting it (asylum support)) while you appeal.

The tribunal (the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum Support)) is independent of government. A judge will listen to both sides of the argument before making a decision.

Help you can get

You may want to get help and advice before you appeal.

Contact the Asylum Support Appeals Project for free advice and legal representation if you have an appeal at the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum Support).

You can contact British Red Cross, Refugee Action and Refugee Council for advice and support - they may be able to find another organisation near to you.

You can also get other legal advice, including from a lawyer.

Apply to the tribunal

Download and fill in a ‘notice of appeal’ form. You must include:

why you’re appealing (your ‘grounds of appeal’)

a copy of the decision you’re appealing against

any documents that help support your appeal

why your appeal is late (if it (your appeal) is)

whether you’d like a ‘paper’ or ‘oral’ hearing

Because of coronavirus, most hearings are paper hearings. These are based on documents only. If a judge decides that an oral hearing is required, it will most likely be held by phone or video link.

Read guidance on how cases are affected by coronavirus.

If a judge decides you have to go to an oral hearing in person, you’ll need to travel to London. The Home Office will pay for you to get there (usually by train). You’ll get free accommodation the night before if you have far to travel.

Send the form (a ‘notice of appeal’ form)

Post, email or fax the notice of appeal form (a ‘notice of appeal’ form) to HM Courts and Tribunals Service. The contact details are on the form (a ‘notice of appeal’ form).

Because of coronavirus, it’s taking longer than usual for staff to reply to forms sent by post.

Call the helpline if you have any questions about completing the form (a ‘notice of appeal’ form). The helpline cannot give you legal advice.

After you send your appeal

You’ll normally find out within a week of sending the form (a ‘notice of appeal’ form):

whether the tribunal will consider your case

whether the tribunal needs more information, for example if your appeal was late

You’ll then be told when your hearing will take place, and whether it’s paper or oral.

If you have an oral hearing, you’ll be told a few days before the hearing what documents to bring with you - or to send by post in advance. The letter will also tell you if the tribunal wants to call up any witnesses - you must contact them and make sure they appear at the hearing.

You’ll usually get the decision at the hearing (an oral hearing).

If you need to send more information

If the tribunal asks you to send more information before the hearing (an oral hearing), you may need to discuss this with a casework team.

Contact the Section 95 casework team if you’re an asylum seeker.

Contact the Section 4 casework team if you’ve been refused asylum.

What happens at the hearing

What happens at the hearing depends on whether you have a paper or oral hearing.

Paper hearing

You will not go to a paper hearing. A judge will make a decision based on:

your notice of appeal form

your documents

documents provided by the Home Office

Oral hearing

Because of coronavirus, oral hearings will most likely be held via phone or video link.

You’ll present your case to the judge (A judge) - someone else can do this for you, for example a lawyer, friend or family member. The Home Office will present the case against you.

The tribunal will provide you with an interpreter if you’ve asked for one. They can translate what happens during the tribunal but they cannot represent you or give you legal advice.

You may be asked questions by:

your legal representative (if you have one)

the Home Office’s (the Home Office) representative

the judge

The hearing is public. Family and friends can attend. If the hearing is in person, they’ll have to pay their own travel costs unless they are witnesses.

Children can only attend if you cannot make childcare arrangements. They (Family and friends) can either:

wait in the waiting room with your family or friends

be with you during the hearing

Get a decision

You’ll get the decision (a decision) either:

at the oral hearing (if you have one) - you’ll also get full written reasons within 3 days

by post the day after the paper hearing

The judge (A judge) will either:

allow the appeal - this means you’ll either get asylum support, or carry on getting it

turn down (‘dismiss’) your appeal (the appeal)

ask the Home Office to look at the decision (a decision) again (known as ‘remitting’ the appeal)

The judge’s (A judge) decision (a decision) is final - you cannot appeal again.

You may be able to get a judicial review of the decision (a decision) if your appeal (the appeal) was turned down and you think the judge (A judge) did not follow the law correctly. Talk to a solicitor as soon as possible.

You cannot complain about the decision (a decision) - you can only complain about the tribunal staff and the way the hearing took place.

Legislation and previous decisions

Read the rules the tribunal must follow and its decisions on previous cases.

Previous decisions

Search the decisions database to see how and why previous decisions have been made.

Legislation

The tribunal will make a decision based on:

Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002

The tribunal must follow the rules and process in the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Social Entitlement Chamber) Rules 2008 and Amendments to the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Social Entitlement Chamber) Rules 2008.

Failed asylum seekers

section 4, Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Immigration and Asylum Regulations 2005

If asylum support was stopped while the application was being considered

section 95, Immigration and Asylum 1999 (Immigration and Asylum Act 1999)

Asylum Support Regulations 2000


Registered Traveller: faster entry through the UK border

Overview

The Registered Traveller service can help you get through the UK border faster.

Registered Travellers can use UK channels at some airports and train stations. You can use:

UK passport entry lanes

ePassport gates - if your passport has a ‘chip’

You’ll need to carry your visa or biometric residence permit, if you have one.

You can no longer use the Registered Traveller service if you’re from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the United States. You may be able to use the ePassport gates (ePassport gates) instead.

Eligibility

To apply for Registered Traveller membership, you must be 18 or older and have an eligible passport.

You must also either:

have a UK visa or entry clearance

have visited the UK (UK) at least 4 times in the last 24 months

It counts as visiting when you enter the UK (UK) from another country. It does not count if you’re just passing through the UK (UK) on your way to another country.

Eligible passports

Africa

Botswana, Namibia, Seychelles.

Asia

Brunei, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region passports only), Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Maldives, Taiwan (if your passport has a personal ID number on the photo page).

Europe

Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City State.

Middle East

Israel.

North America

Bahamas, Mexico, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Oceania

Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga.

South and Central America

Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay.

Where you can use Registered Traveller (The Registered Traveller service)

You can use the service (The Registered Traveller service) at the following airports:

Birmingham

Bristol

Cardiff

East Midlands

Edinburgh

Gatwick

Glasgow

Heathrow

London City

Luton

Manchester

Southend

Stansted

You can use the service (The Registered Traveller service) at the following Eurostar terminals:

Brussels

Lille

Paris

How to apply

Before you apply, check you’re eligible.

Apply online for Registered Traveller membership. You’ll need your passport number and expiry date. It costs £70 and and lasts 12 months.

You’ll get a decision on your application within 10 working days. You’ll get £50 back if your application is unsuccessful.

If your application is accepted, the next time you travel to the UK (UK) you must go through the ‘other passports’ lane.

The immigration officer will check that you meet the criteria and tell you if you can become a member. Your 12 month membership will start on the day you submitted your application.

Renew or update your membership

It costs £50 to renew your Registered Traveller membership (your membership) for another year.

It costs £20 to update your passport details if you get a new passport. You must do this before you travel to the UK (UK).

You must also update your details (your passport details) if your visa or immigration status changes. There’s no fee to do this.

You can also renew or update your child’s membership.

Add children to your membership (your child’s membership)

You can apply to add your children to your Registered Traveller membership (your child’s membership) if you have 29 days or more left on it (your child’s membership).

Once your child is added to your membership (your child’s membership), you can both use the UK passport lanes together.

You will not be able to use the ePassport gates.

Your child’s membership will expire at the same time as yours. You’ll need to renew or update your and your child’s memberships separately.

Once you’ve added the child to your membership (your child’s membership), they can also travel with their other parent as long as they’re also a member. Before they travel together, you’ll need to email the Home Office with full names and Registered Traveller numbers for:

you

your child

your child’s other parent (their other parent)

Home Office Registered Traveller service
rtinbox@homeoffice.gov.uk

Eligibility

Your child must:

be 17 or under

have an eligible passport

have a visa or entry clearance, if they (Your child)’re not applying as a visitor

Fee

You must pay a £20 administration fee to apply for each child, plus a membership fee. This is worked out as £2 a month until your membership (your child’s membership) expires.

You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply.

You’ll get the membership fee (a membership fee) back if your application is unsuccessful. You will not get the £20 administration fee (a £20 administration fee) back.

How to apply

You must apply and pay for each child separately.

You’ll need your:

• Registered Traveller number
• child’s passport number and expiry date

Renew or update your child’s membership

You’ll need to sign in with your child’s Registered Traveller number and date of birth to renew or update their membership (your child’s membership).

You’ll have to pay a membership fee to renew your child’s membership, which is worked out as £2 a month until your membership (your child’s membership) expires.

It costs £20 to update your child’s passport details if they (Your child) get a new passport. You must do this before your child travels to the UK.

You must also update your child’s details (your child’s passport details) if their (your child’s) visa or immigration status changes. There’s no fee to do this.

When you travel to the UK

If your application is successful, the first time you and your child travel to the UK you must both go through the ‘other passports’ lane together.

You might need to prove the relationship between you and any children travelling with you, for example if you have different surnames.

You can do this (prove) with:

• a birth or adoption certificate showing your relationship to the child
• a divorce or marriage certificate if you’re the parent but have a different surname to the child

The immigration officer will then confirm your child has been added to your membership (your child’s membership). You’ll get a confirmation email within 48 hours.


War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal

Overview

You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber) if you disagree with a decision about your war pension or compensation.

You must appeal within 1 year of getting your decision letter.

The tribunal is independent of government and will listen to both sides of the argument before making a decision.

There are different tribunals in Scotland and tribunals in Northern Ireland.

Decisions the tribunal can make

The tribunal will decide whether your injury was caused or made worse by serving in the armed forces.

If it (your injury) was, it (The tribunal) can then make decisions about:

your entitlement to a pension or compensation

how much pension you get

your entitlement to extra allowances, for example for mobility needs

pension start dates

withheld pensions

The tribunal deals with appeals for the 2 pension schemes currently running, which are:

the War Pensions Scheme - for injuries caused or made worse by service before 6 April 2005

the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme - for injuries caused by service from 6 April 2005 onwards

Help you can get

You may want to get legal help or advice before you appeal.

You may also be able to get help from organisations including:

Combat Stress

Blesma: The Limbless Veterans

Burma Star Association

National Gulf Veterans and Families Association (NGVFA)

Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA)

Royal British Legion (RBL)

Soldiers Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association Forces Help (SSAFA)

UK Armed Forces Charities

How to appeal

You should appeal within one year of getting your decision letter.

Before you appeal

Write a letter to Veterans UK and ask them to reconsider their decision. Explain why you think the decision is wrong and give any information not included in your original claim.

They (Veterans UK) will look at your case again and write to you with their (Veterans UK) decision.

Veterans UK was previously known as the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA).

If you’re still unhappy

Contact the Veterans UK helpline and ask for an appeal form to take your case to the tribunal. Fill it in and send it back to Veterans UK.

Call if you need help filling in the form (an appeal form to take your case to the tribunal).

Late appeals

In some cases you’ll be allowed to appeal after one year, but you must explain why your appeal is late. You cannot appeal against any decision after 2 years.

After you appeal

Veterans UK will send the response to your appeal to the tribunal - you’ll get a copy of the response. The response will contain information given in your claim and the evidence used to make the decision under appeal, such as medical reports that you may regard as confidential.

You can choose to reply in writing (a ‘written submission’) explaining why you disagree with the facts they used - you must do this within one month of receiving the copy.

The tribunal will look at your case and ask for more information if they (The tribunal) need it.

You can also send any other evidence to support your case to the tribunal.

The tribunal will tell you if there’ll be a hearing about your case.

The tribunal hearing

Hearings are usually held in major cities across England and Wales. You’ll be told where you have to go.

The tribunal will give you at least 14 days’ notice of the date of any hearing. You should be given a hearing within 4 months of the tribunal receiving a response from Veterans UK.

You must tell the tribunal if you cannot make it to the hearing (a hearing) - they (The tribunal) might arrange another date if you have a good reason.

The tribunal might hold the hearing (a hearing) without you if do not attend.

Prepare for the hearing (a hearing)

You can go to the hearing (a hearing) on your own or ask someone to help represent you. You can also call a witness to support your case.

Organisations that can help represent you include:

Royal British Legion

Royal Air Forces Association

Combat Stress

Blesma: The Limbless Veterans

UK Armed Forces Charities

Take your appeal papers and the documents you’re using as evidence to the hearing (a hearing). You should give copies of any evidence to the tribunal and Veterans UK before the tribunal hearing (a hearing).

Tribunal panel

The tribunal is made up of:

a judge

a medical member

a service member

What happens at the hearing (a hearing)

The judge (a judge), tribunal members, Veterans UK and your representative (if you have one) will ask you questions about your case.

The tribunal will then question any witnesses you’ve brought to the hearing (a hearing).

You’ll usually get a decision from the tribunal on the day of the hearing (a hearing).

Expenses

You might be able to claim expenses or compensation for:

travel (only in the UK)

living expenses for the time you’re away from home

loss of earnings

More information

You can find out more about expenses or contact the tribunal for more information.

If you lose your appeal

You can ask the tribunal for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) if you lose your appeal.

You must ask for permission to appeal within 6 weeks of getting the decision.

The Upper Tribunal (The tribunal) will look at the case (your case) to see if the original decision (the decision) was correct.

Reasons for appealing

You can only appeal if you think the decision was wrong for a legal reason, including if the tribunal did not:

follow the right procedures - for example it (The tribunal) did not tell you in time about the hearing

give proper reasons for its (The tribunal) decision, or back up the decision with facts

apply the law properly

Before appealing, ask the original tribunal for the written statement of reasons for its decision (the decision).

Contact the Upper Tribunal (The tribunal)

Legislation

The tribunal will make decisions based on:

the Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act 1943

The Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 2006

the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011

The tribunal must follow the rules and process set out in the:

the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber) Rules 2008

the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007