Home Office
If you arrived in the UK by 31 December 2020
You may be able to apply as the non-EEA family member of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you both arrived in the UK by 31 December 2020.
Youll need to show evidence of your relationship to that family member, and that your relationship existed by 31 December 2020.
If youre their unmarried (durable) partner
You will generally need to hold a relevant document issued to you on the basis that youre the unmarried (durable) partner of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and you were both living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
A relevant document here includes:
- a family permit issued under the EEA Regulations
- an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- a residence card issued under the EEA Regulations or the EU Settlement Scheme
- a letter from the Secretary of State confirming your qualification for a family permit or residence card under the EEA Regulations, had the route not closed on 30 June 2021
If youre the unmarried (durable) partner of a person of Northern Ireland who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have yet to apply to the scheme, refer to the sections below for further information on what evidence to provide.
If you arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020 or have not yet arrived
You may be able to apply if youre the family member of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and who has settled or pre-settled status.
Youll need to show evidence:
- of your relationship to that family member
- that your relationship existed by 31 December 2020 (unless you are a child born or adopted after that date)
- that the relationship continues to exist on the date you apply
If you have a Swiss spouse or civil partner
You may also be able to apply if (by 31 December 2025) you have a Swiss spouse or civil partner who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020, and who has settled or pre-settled status.
Youll need to show evidence:
- of your relationship to your spouse or civil partner
- that your relationship existed by 31 December 2025
- that your relationship continues to exist on the date you apply
If you hold a document which confirms your right of permanent residence in the UK
You wont need to provide any evidence about your family relationship to someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020 if you have a document certifying permanent residence or a permanent residence card issued to you under the EEA Regulations on the basis of your family relationship to that person.
If youre the family member of a person of Northern Ireland who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have yet to apply to the scheme, refer to the sections below for further information on what evidence to provide instead.
If you hold a residence card as a family member
If you have a biometric residence card (BRC) as a family member of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020, which does not confirm your right of permanent residence in the UK, this will be accepted as evidence of your relationship to that person if it was issued to you on the basis of that relationship and that relationship continues to exist (or did so for the period of residence relied upon).
If youre the family member of a person of Northern Ireland who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have yet to apply to the scheme, refer to the sections below for further information on what evidence to provide instead.
Youll also need to provide evidence of your family member from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein or person of Northern Irelands:
- identity and nationality
- status as a person of Northern Ireland (where appropriate)
- continuous UK residence
Youll need to provide evidence of your family relationship to your family member from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein or person of Northern Ireland who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020 if:
- your BRC was not issued to prove your family relationship with that person
- your BRC was issued to prove your family relationship but youre now relying on a family relationship with a different family member from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein or person of Northern Ireland who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
- you do not have a BRC
Documents you must provide to show evidence of your family relationship
You can upload evidence of your family relationship in your application. This evidence can be scans or photos of documents. The Home Office can require you to submit the original document where it has reasonable doubt as to the authenticity of the copy relied upon.
If youre their spouse or civil partner
Youll only need to provide this evidence if you do not have a relevant document issued to you on the basis that youre the spouse or civil partner of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein or person of Northern Ireland who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
A relevant document here includes:
- a family permit issued under the EEA Regulations
- an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- a residence card issued under the EEA Regulations or the EU Settlement Scheme
- a letter from the Secretary of State confirming your qualification for a family permit or residence card under the EEA Regulations, had the route not closed on 30 June 2021
If youre the spouse or civil partner of a person of Northern Ireland who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have yet to apply to the scheme, youre unlikely to have a relevant document.
If you do not have a relevant document, youll need to show evidence:
- of your relationship to your spouse or civil partner
- that your relationship existed by 31 December 2020 (by 31 December 2025 if your spouse or civil partner is a Swiss citizen)
- that your relationship continues to exist on the date you apply or existed for the period of residence relied upon
If youre a spouse or civil partner now, but were an unmarried (durable) partner by 31 December 2020, you will also need to provide the evidence set out in the section If youre their unmarried (durable) partner.
Accepted forms of evidence include:
- a valid document of record of a marriage or civil partnership recognised under the law of England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, such as a marriage or civil partnership certificate
- a valid overseas registration document for a same sex relationship which is entitled to be treated as a civil partnership under the Civil Partnership Act 2004
If youre their unmarried (durable) partner
If you hold a relevant document issued to you on the basis that youre the durable partner of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein or person of Northern Ireland who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020, this will be accepted as evidence of your relationship to that person if it was issued to you on the basis of that relationship. You will also need to provide evidence to show that youre still the unmarried (durable) partner of that person, or that you are now their spouse or civil partner.
A relevant document here includes:
- a family permit issued under the EEA Regulations
- an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- a residence card issued under the EEA Regulations or the EU Settlement Scheme
- a letter from the Secretary of State confirming your qualification for a family permit or residence card under the EEA Regulations, had the route not closed on 30 June 2021
If youre the unmarried (durable) partner of a person of Northern Ireland who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have yet to apply to the scheme, youre unlikely to have a relevant document.
If you do not have a relevant document, youll need to show evidence:
- of your relationship to your unmarried (durable) partner
- that your relationship existed by 31 December 2020
- that your relationship continues to exist on the date you apply, or existed for the period of residence relied upon
The list below gives some examples of evidence you can provide. This list is not exhaustive and other forms of evidence may be accepted. Each case will be considered on a case by case basis.
Evidence that you had lived together in a relationship akin to a marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years by 31 December 2020:
- bank statements or utility bills in joint names at the same address