EEA/Swiss nationals and their families applying for post-Brexit status
EEA/Swiss nationals who were in the UK before 1 January 2021 may still be eligible to to make a late application under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) after the 30 June 2021 deadline. Late applications after 30 June 2021 may be accepted where reasonable grounds for not meeting the deadline can be established. The Home Office has expressed its intention to take a pragmatic approach to late EUSS applications.
Close family members who were in a relationship with certain qualifying EEA nationals before 1 January 2021 but not living in the UK before that date may still be eligible to apply for status under the Settlement Scheme or a family permit. Once they have arrived in the UK with a family permit they will have three months to apply for pre-settled status.
Spouses or civil partners who enter a marriage or civil partnership with a Swiss national between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025 may also still be eligible to apply for EUSS or a family permit. Once they have arrived in the UK they will also have three months to apply for pre-settled status and the application must be made before 1 January 2026..
Children born to EEA/Swiss nationals beyond 1 January 2021 will not be subject to any deadline, although those born or adopted in the UK on or after 1 July 2021 must apply to the EUSS scheme within three months.
If the relationship was formed on or after 1 January, family members of Swiss and EEA nationals may apply under the Appendix FM Immigration Rules.
In addition, the Frontier Worker Permit Scheme allows EEA/Swiss nationals who do not primarily reside in the UK but who have been cross-border commuters, to continue to work in the UK.
Our expert team can advise you and your family members on your rights to live and work in the UK and the process of obtaining family permits/status in the UK.
The team at Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law has a wealth of experience in all aspects of immigration law and an impressive success rate at appeals and difficult cases.
Contact us to arrange a free conversation to identify your best options or to discuss any UK immigration issues you may need help with.
We offer fixed fees where we can. More information on pricing can be found here.
Appendix EU family permits
Close family members of certain qualifying EEA nationals not living in the UK by 31 December 2020 are able to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit with no deadline providing the relationship existed before the end of the transition period (or between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025 for spouses/civil partners of Swiss nationals) and continues to exist at the time of application.
Children born to EEA/Swiss nationals and some other family members are also eligible to apply under the Settlement Scheme. There are tighter restrictions around extended family members.
Our extensive experience ensures you receive the best guidance and assistance you need to make a successful application.
To find out how we can help you please call us on 0207 033 9527 or click here to send us an email
EU Settlement Scheme – settled and pre-settled status
EEA/Swiss nationals and family members have been asked to apply for pre-settled and settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme if they were in the UK before 1 January 2021. The deadline for applying was 30 June 2021. There are some circumstances where applications may still be made beyond 30 June 2021 and in some cases applications may be made from overseas.
We can guide you through the various requirements and assist with you making an application for settled or pre-settled status.
To find out how we can help you please call us on 0207 033 9527 or click here to send us an email
Frontier Worker permits
The Frontier Worker permit was created to comply with the EU Withdrawal Agreement commitments to certain cross-border workers living in the European Economic Area (EEA) and travelling to the UK for employed or self-employed work.
You may be eligible for a Frontier Worker permit allowing you to come to the UK to work while living elsewhere if all of the following apply:
- you are an EEA/Swiss national
- you live outside of the UK
- you have worked in the UK by 31 December 2020
- you have kept working in the UK at least once every 12 months since you started working here
We can help you to navigate the guidance and make an application for a Frontier Worker permit.
To find out how we can help you please call us on 0207 033 9527 or click here to send us an email
Service Providers from Switzerland visa
This category is for individuals working for a company based in Switzerland which requires them to work on contract in the UK. Swiss nationals can also apply as self-employed service providers if they are based in Switzerland.
The contract to carry out work in the UK must have been signed and started before 11pm on 31 December 2020. Service providers would be able to enter multiple times during the validity of the visa. Note that there is an overall limit across all Swiss employees and contracts such that all staff collectively must not exceed 90 days per calendar year in the UK (including weekends and bank holidays).
The visa will potentially be valid for the shorter of the end date of the contract to work in the UK, the end date of their work contract with their Swiss employer (if the employee is on a fixed-term contract), the day before their right to live in Switzerland expires and 31 December 2025.
To find out more please call us on 0207 033 9527 or click here to send us an email