FAQ

I have (pre-) settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, but I’ve been told I can’t sponsor a family member to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Do I have any other options?

Some people are unable to sponsor a family member to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, for example because one of the following applies:

• You’re not an EEA/Swiss citizen yourself; or
• You weren’t living in the UK before 31 December 2020; or
• The family member you want to sponsor wasn’t already a family member before 31 December 2020 (for example they weren’t already a durable partner or spouse by then); or
• The family member you want to sponsor is not a close family member

If this is the case for you, then you should contact a legal advisor (see a list of some organisations on our website) to explore whether other routes of the UK immigration systems might apply. In most cases this involves applications under “Appendix FM”.

For some information about Appendix FM, see these articles on the FreeMovement website:

• Sponsoring a spouse or partner under Appendix FM
• Financial requirements for UK spouse and partner visas
• People with pre-settled status under the EUSS can sponsor family members under Appendix FM

See also a Note published on our website about family member applications for EU citizens, covering both applications under the EU Settlement Scheme and applications under Appendix FM.