If you're from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
Updated 15 July 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/entering-the-uk-under-the-eu-settlement-scheme-and-eu-settlement-scheme-family-permit/if-youre-from-the-eu-iceland-liechtenstein-norway-or-switzerland
If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
You can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents:
- a passport
- an Irish passport card
- a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
Your passport or identity card should be registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account. You may be delayed at the border if your passport or national identity card is not registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account.
If you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme but are waiting for a decision
If you were living in UK by 31 December 2020
You can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents:
- a passport
- an Irish passport card
- a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
Your passport or national identity card should be registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account. You may be delayed at the border if your passport or national identity card is not registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account.
Your certificate of application to the EU Settlement Scheme can be confirmed at the border if needed, but you can also bring a copy with you when you travel.
You may also be asked to show evidence that you qualify for status under the EU Settlement Scheme, such as evidence that you were continuously resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have remained so since. Without such evidence, entry to the UK may be refused.
A certificate of application to the EU Settlement Scheme is not evidence of a visa or visa exemption document.
If you were not living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme as a joining family member
You can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents:
- a passport
- an Irish passport card
You can enter the UK with a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if either:
- you also hold a valid EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- you have made a valid application to the EU Settlement Scheme that is awaiting an initial decision and you have an expired EU Settlement Scheme family permit.
Your passport or national identity card should be registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account. You may be delayed at the border if your passport is not registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account.
Your certificate of application to the EU Settlement Scheme can be confirmed at the border if needed, but you can also bring a copy with you when you travel.
To enter the UK with a pending joining family member application to the EU Settlement Scheme, you will normally be required to hold an in-date EU Settlement Scheme family permit involving the same sponsor. If that family permit has expired, you can still rely on it for this purpose where you are awaiting a Home Office decision on your EU Settlement Scheme application (but not where that application has been refused and you are awaiting the outcome of an administrative review or appeal). Otherwise, without such evidence, entry to the UK may be refused.
If you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme while in the UK as a visitor and you leave the UK, you may not be permitted to re-enter the UK pending the outcome of your application, including any appeal.
A certificate of application to the EU Settlement Scheme is not evidence of a visa or visa exemption document.
If you have not applied to the EU Settlement Scheme and have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
You can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents:
- a passport
- an Irish passport card
- a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
You may also be asked to show your EU Settlement Scheme family permit which can be in date or expired. If your permit is expired, you may be asked to show evidence that you’ve applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, such as a Certificate of Application, or provide reasons why you have not yet done so.
If you intend to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit but have not yet done so
You should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit from outside the UK if you’re eligible and wait for a decision before travelling to the UK.
Otherwise, you should check if you need a visa.
If you have a document issued under the EEA Regulations 2016
You should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you have a:
- registration certificate
- document certifying permanent residence
You should apply even if your document has not expired.
The deadline for most people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021. You can still apply after the deadline if you can show reasonable grounds for your delay in applying, and provide supporting evidence.