Family Member of an Eligible Person of Northern Ireland
Living in the UK with your family after Brexit
If you are a non-EEA family member of a person from Northern Ireland, you may be able to live, work and study in the UK through the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). This route recognises the special status of people born in Northern Ireland under the Good Friday Agreement and helps families stay together after Brexit.
How We Can Help
At Immigration Solicitors UK (ISUK), we support non-EEA family members who wish to join or remain with a person from Northern Ireland in the UK. Our immigration solicitors can:
1. Confirm your eligibility
We’ll review your relationship, residence history, and documentation to check that you meet the Home Office criteria.
2. Prepare and submit your application
We guide you through every stage, from gathering evidence to submitting your online form and enrolling your biometrics.
3. Handle refusals or complex cases
If your application is refused, we can assist with an administrative review or a fresh application with stronger evidence.
Book your FREE consultation today!
Living in the UK with your family after Brexit
If you are a non-EEA family member of a person from Northern Ireland, you may be able to live, work and study in the UK through the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). This route recognises the special status of people born in Northern Ireland under the Good Friday Agreement and helps families stay together after Brexit.
How We Can Help
At Immigration Solicitors UK (ISUK), we support non-EEA family members who wish to join or remain with a person from Northern Ireland in the UK. Our immigration solicitors can:
1. Confirm your eligibility
We’ll review your relationship, residence history, and documentation to check that you meet the Home Office criteria.
2. Prepare and submit your application
We guide you through every stage, from gathering evidence to submitting your online form and enrolling your biometrics.
3. Handle refusals or complex cases
If your application is refused, we can assist with an administrative review or a fresh application with stronger evidence.
About the Scheme
The Family Member of an Eligible Person of Northern Ireland route allows non-EEA family members to join or remain with their Northern Ireland-born relatives in the UK.
An eligible person of Northern Ireland is someone who:
- Was born in Northern Ireland
- Holds British, Irish, or dual British-Irish citizenship
- Had at least one parent who was a British, Irish, or dual citizen when they were born
Their non-EEA family members can apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Eligible family members include:
- A spouse or civil partner
- A durable (unmarried) partner
- A dependent child or grandchild
- A dependent parent or grandparent
The relationship must have existed before 31 December 2020, except in the case of Swiss citizens’ spouses or civil partners, who have until 31 December 2025 if their relationship was formed after 2020 but before 2026.
The eligible person must usually live in the UK and must not have exercised EU free movement rights outside the UK.
We make the process simple and transparent:
Step 1: Initial review – We assess your eligibility and advise on any potential issues.
Step 2: Application preparation – We help you gather evidence and complete the online form.
Step 3: Ongoing support – We monitor progress and liaise with the Home Office where necessary.
Key Legal Updates
1. Automated Status Extensions
Since late 2024, Pre-Settled Status is automatically extended by five years (previously two years) before expiry. This applies to all eligible family members.
2. Automated Conversion to Settled Status
From January 2025, the Home Office has started automatically upgrading eligible pre-settled status holders to Settled Status (Indefinite Leave to Remain) if their residence can be verified through HMRC or DWP records.
3. The “30-Month Rule”
Introduced in July 2025, this policy allows a person with pre-settled status to qualify for Settled Status if they can show at least 30 months’ residence in the UK during the most recent five-year period. This benefits applicants with long absences abroad.
4. Removal of Administrative Review
Since October 2023, most EU Settlement Scheme decisions no longer qualify for Administrative Review. Refusals must usually be challenged through a Statutory Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.
Eligibility Summary
The main deadline of 30 June 2021 has passed. New applications are generally treated as Late Applications.
Late Applications
To be accepted, you must show reasonable grounds explaining why you missed the original deadline, supported by evidence covering the full period of delay.
Joining Family Members
If you are joining your family member from abroad, you must apply for pre-settled or settled status within 90 days of arriving in the UK.
Travel and Digital Status
- Digital-only status: Most applicants now receive digital immigration status instead of a physical document.
- ETA requirement: From 2 April 2025, most European nationals (excluding British and Irish citizens) must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK.
EUSS holders are exempt from the ETA requirement.
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At Immigration Solicitors UK (ISUK), we have a team of experts who can provide exceptional assistance to those seeking to settle as family members of eligible persons in Northern Ireland. Our experienced legal team ensures that you have fulfilled all the requirements and addresses any relationship or documentation issues with you.
We are with you all the way, holding your hand throughout the document verification, application filling, and submission process. If your request is rejected, we will also be available to assist you during administrative revisions or if you wish to reapply.
We are committed to helping families get back on track while also protecting your immigration status in accordance with UK law. A detailed understanding of this type of route’s intricate conditions enables us to represent you with utmost honesty, transparency, and professionalism.
In case you are a person from outside the EEA who is related to a person of Northern Ireland and your relationship was established before 31 December 2020, you will be eligible for a grant of residence. The main extents of such family include legally married or cohabiting spouses, children, and dependent relatives.
The eligible person of Northern Ireland should be in the UK and must not have exercised EU free movement rights in another country. This route guarantees that family life will be maintained for those affected by Brexit. The process of filing your application is done online, and those who are successful will be given the right to reside, work, and study in the UK.
The most important thing is that you must submit your application on time and include the correct supporting documents.
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You’ll need to provide evidence to prove your identity, your relationship, and your family member’s eligibility. This may include:
- A valid passport or national identity card
- Proof of relationship (marriage or birth certificate, or evidence of a durable partnership)
- Proof that your family member was born in Northern Ireland and holds British, Irish, or dual citizenship
- Evidence that they live in the UK and have not exercised EU free movement rights
- Proof of dependency, if applying as a parent or grandparent
- Certified translations of any non-English documents
- Biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph)
Incomplete or inconsistent evidence often causes delays, so we ensure your documents meet Home Office standards before submission.
Applicants typically err in such a way that not only delay their applications but also compromise them:
- Submitting identification documents that are expired or incorrect.
- There is no evidence to suggest that the relationship existed before 31 December 2020.
- Introducing inadequate statements that the eligible person is residing in the UK.
- Leaving out the evidence of the person from Northern Ireland, the decision not to exercise free movement rights has been made.
- Giving information that is inconsistent or contradictory in the documents.
Such practical steps can be taken by using a qualified solicitor specializing in immigration law, who can file the straightforward application, or by ensuring that the necessary criteria are subsequently met.
Current Status Rights
Status Type | Right to Work/Study | Duration / Extensions |
|---|---|---|
Pre-Settled Status | Yes | Automatically extended by 5 years; may auto-convert to Settled |
Settled Status | Yes | Permanent; allows up to 5 years outside the UK |
Family Permit | Yes | Valid for 6 months; must apply for EUSS within 90 days of arrival |
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Under the EU Settlement Scheme, joining a person from Northern Ireland makes it possible for you to not only reunite with your family member but also to secure legal residence in the UK.
Common Eligible Relationships
- Spouse or civil partner
- Unmarried partner in a durable relationship
- Child under 21
- Dependent child over 21
- Dependent parent or grandparent
Key Requirements
- The eligible person must be born in Northern Ireland
- They must not have exercised free movement rights
- Your relationship must have existed before 31 December 2020
Legal assistance ensures that your application is accurate, based on evidence, and complies with the Home Office’s requirements.
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There is no Home Office fee for applications under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Typical processing times are:
- Family Permit (outside the UK): around 8 to 12 weeks
- EU Settlement Scheme application (inside the UK): around 4 to 8 weeks
Timeframes can vary depending on the complexity of your case.
Many applications are delayed or refused because of:
- Expired or incorrect ID documents
- Missing evidence that the relationship existed before 31 December 2020
- No proof of residence in the UK
- Inconsistent or unclear information
Our solicitors check every detail to avoid these issues.
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What We Offer
Our Services
we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
decision that comes with its own set of challenges.
Family Visas
Partner Visas
Settlement in the UK
Settlement of EEA Nationals
British Citizenship and The Right of Abode
Challenge a Refusal
Removals/Deportations
Asylum/Human Rights
Sponsor License for a UK Business
UK Business Visas
Student Visas
Popular Work Visas
Other work visas and permits
Visas without a job offer
Work for an overseas employer
Temporary work visas
UK Visit Visas
Applying for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Member Permit
The UK Government’s visa and immigration service is an online platform for making an application for a Family Member Permit. Assuming you are applying from abroad, a permit to enter the UK will be the first thing you receive. When there, you have the option to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme’s pre-settled or settled status.
Those who are domiciled in the UK can apply directly for leave under the scheme; however, supporting documents must be submitted digitally, and biometric information must be provided. The submission must be timely and accurate, or else it cannot be accepted.
We cannot stress enough the importance of seeking legal assistance, especially when a family is complicated or one has an immigration history.
Speak to Our Immigration Solicitors
If you’re a non-EEA family member of a person from Northern Ireland and want to secure your status under the EU Settlement Scheme, our solicitors can help.
We’ll ensure your application is clear, accurate, and fully supported, giving you the best possible chance of success.
Call us today or contact us online to arrange a confidential consultation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an eligible person of Northern Ireland?
Someone born in Northern Ireland who has British, Irish, or dual nationality, and had at least one parent who was British, Irish, or both when they were born.
What if our relationship started after 31 December 2020?
Unfortunately, relationships that began after that date do not qualify under this route.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. Applications under the EU Settlement Scheme are free of charge.
Can I include my children?
Yes, but each child must have a separate application with their own supporting documents.
What happens if my application is refused?
You can request an administrative review or submit a new application with improved evidence.
Will I be allowed to work in the UK?
Yes. Both pre-settled and settled status allow you to live, work, and study in the UK.
