The EU Settlement Scheme, two days to go
Continuing our week-long countdown to the public launch of the EU Settlement Scheme, today we are looking at the rights of family members.
Once you have settled status, any of your children born in the UK while you are living here will automatically become a British citizen.
This automatic right to be a British citizen does not apply to children born in the UK if their parent has been awarded pre-settled status. They will be given pre-settled status too. The child cannot become a British citizen unless they qualify for it through their other parent.
Applying on behalf of your child
You can apply for settled or pre-settled status for your child if they’re under 21 and either:
- an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
- not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen but you, your spouse or civil partner are.
Your children can also apply for themselves if they are able to.
If you have already applied for yourself, you will be able to link your child’s application to yours, using your application number. You can do this at any time after you’ve applied – you do not need to wait for a decision. You will need to do this for each child on whose behalf you want to apply.
If your own application is successful, your child will get the same status as you.
Bringing family members to the UK
If you receive settled or pre-settled status, your close family members can join you in the UK before 31 December 2020 – they’ll need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme as your family member.
You’ll be able to bring close family members to the UK after 31 December 2020 if both of the following apply:
- your relationship with them began before 31 December 2020 and
- you are still in the relationship when they apply to join you.
You will not be able to bring them to the UK under the Scheme if your relationship with them began after 31 December 2020, but they will be able to come here on a family visa. You can find out more about that here.
See also:
The EU Settlement Scheme: how to get settled status
Pre-settled status: what you need to know
