Home Office guidance updated on 15 October 2026 records the closure of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) travel permit under HC 584 and sets out how staff consider EUSS family permit applications from 8 October 2026.
Key facts
- Who: Applicants for an EUSS family permit, and the sponsors they rely on
- From: 8 October 2026 (the date from which the guidance sets out how to consider EUSS family permit applications)
- Source: EU Settlement Scheme: family permit and travel permit (accessible)
What changed
The guidance says it has been updated to reflect the closure of the EUSS travel permit by Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 584, laid on 3 September 2026. Version 23.0 was published for Home Office staff on 9 October 2026. The text gives no separate closure date for the travel permit.
The guidance tells staff how, from 8 October 2026, to consider applications for an EUSS family permit under Appendix EU (Family Permit) to the Immigration Rules. The permit is an entry clearance for an eligible family member of a relevant European Economic Area (EEA) citizen.
What the guidance says about family permits
A permit is valid for 6 months from the date of decision, with unlimited entries in that period. There is no application fee and no Immigration Health Surcharge. Applicants who must use a UK visa application centre to verify identity may pay a commercial partner for that service.
For applications made on or after 8 April 2026 as a family member of a relevant EEA citizen, the applicant must provide specified sponsor evidence, with the application or while validity is considered. This covers evidence of the sponsor's EUSS status and of the applicant's family relationship to the sponsor.
All applicants must provide a passport-style facial photograph. Those relying on rule FP6(1) or FP6(2) must also give fingerprints at the visa application centre. Children under 6 give a photograph only.
Where an applicant gives some but not enough evidence that the sponsor is a relevant EEA citizen, caseworkers must write by email and allow 10 calendar days. The same period applies where the declared family relationship is inconsistent with, or not supported by, the evidence.
The guidance also says the EUSS closed on 8 August 2023 to applicants as a family member of a qualifying British citizen, with exceptions. A holder who arrived in the UK on or after 1 April 2021 and wishes to apply to the EUSS as a joining family member has 3 months from arrival, unless there are reasonable grounds for delay.
What this means for applicants
The guidance records the EUSS travel permit as closed under HC 584. Applicants for an EUSS family permit as a family member of a relevant EEA citizen must provide specified sponsor evidence with the application or during the validity check. If a caseworker sends a write-out about missing or inconsistent evidence, the applicant has 10 calendar days to respond.
Related guide
EU Settlement Scheme family permit
Sources
- EU Settlement Scheme: family permit and travel permit (accessible), Home Office, updated 15 October 2026
- Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 584, referenced in the guidance