UK EEA Family Permit

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What is it?

The EEA Family Permit is an entry clearance that allows a non-EEA national to join their EEA or Swiss family member in the UK. While it is not technically a visa, it functions similarly, enabling multiple entries and exits to the UK during its validity.

  • Validity: 6 months initially

  • Multiple entries: Yes, you can leave and re-enter the UK freely while the permit is valid.

Who is it for?

You can apply if you are a non-EEA family member of an EEA or Swiss citizen, including:

Close family members:

  • Spouse or civil partner

  • Child or grandchild under 21 years old

  • Dependent child or grandchild of any age

  • Dependent parent or grandparent

Extended family members:

  • Brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, nephew, niece

  • Unmarried partners in a lasting relationship

  • Dependents relying on the EEA national for care, including serious health conditions

Special cases:

  • Family members of an EEA student, including partners and dependent children

Extended family members and unmarried partners are not guaranteed a permit; individual circumstances are assessed.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, the EEA or Swiss family member you are joining must:

  1. Be living in the UK by 31 December 2020 (different rules apply for arrivals after Jan 1, 2021).

  2. Either be in the UK already or travel with you within 6 months of your application.

  3. If in the UK for more than 3 months, they must either:

    • Be a ‘qualified person’ (working, self-employed, studying, looking for work, or self-sufficient), or

    • Have a permanent residence document

If not a qualified person, you may still apply under the EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

Required Documents

To apply, you will need:

  • Your valid passport

  • Passport or national ID of your EEA relative (certified copies accepted if originals unavailable)

  • Proof of relationship, e.g.:

    • Birth certificate

    • Marriage/civil partnership certificate

    • Proof of cohabitation for at least 2 years if unmarried

Stay Duration and Benefits

  • Initial stay: 6 months

  • Extension: Up to 5 years

  • Rights during stay:

    • Access to the NHS

    • Education in public schools

    • Right to work and study without restrictions

  • After 5 years: Eligible to apply for permanent settlement