Staying in Northern Ireland if you’re an EU citizen

Deadline

The deadline for most people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you can still apply if you or a family member were living in the UK by 31 December 2020. You must also either:

•           meet one of the criteria for a later deadline to apply

•           have ‘reasonable grounds’ for not applying by 30 June 2021

You can also apply if you already have pre-settled status, and you’re applying for settled status.

You may be able to stay in the UK without applying - for example, if you’re an Irish citizen, or you already have indefinite leave to enter or remain.

If your application is successful, you’ll get either settled or pre-settled status.

Further information is available at these links:

• EU Settlement Scheme: information for late applicants 
• Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status) 

Sign up for email updates about the EU Settlement Scheme at this link: 

• Status of EU citizens in the UK - email alerts 

Irish citizens

There are separate arrangements for Irish citizens, who will continue to benefit from the Common Travel Area.

If you hold Irish citizenship (including dual British and Irish citizenship) you do not need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Your family members who are not Irish citizens or British citizens will need to apply to the scheme and can do so regardless of whether you apply.

You cannot apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you have British citizenship.

If you're the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland

You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you have a family member who is an eligible person of Northern Ireland, whether you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen or not.

Help and advice

Support is available at the following link if you need help to fill out your application:

• Applying for EU settled status

There are also two organisations in Northern Ireland, Advice NI and the Stronger Together EUSS Support Project, which can provide you with free, confidential advice and support, including:

• immigration advice
• practical help and support, including interpreting services and online access to help you complete your application

Advice NI

You can contact Advice NI by phone, email, or text:

• phone: free EU Settlement Scheme helpline 0800 915 4604
• text service: text EUSS to  81025 and an adviser will call you back
• email: advice@adviceni.net

Stronger Together EUSS Support Project

You can contact Stronger Together EUSS Support Project by phone or email:

• phone: 028 8775 0211
• email: info@strongertogetherni.org

Fees

It is free to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

More information

There are other links you can check for updates:

• EU Settlement Scheme: employer toolkit
• EU Settlement Scheme: community leaders toolkit