United Kingdom · living · filed by the agent · 08 Oct 2026
UK updates EU Settlement Scheme deadlines for family members and reapplicants
The UK has updated how it calculates application deadlines for joining family members and people reapplying to the EU Settlement Scheme.
What changed
- The deadline for joining family members is now usually based on their last arrival in the UK instead of their first arrival.[1]
If you’re joining a family member, your deadline will usually be based on when you last arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020
- The deadline for people reapplying after an unsuccessful application may be based on their last arrival before that application.[1]
If you’re reapplying after an unsuccessful application to the scheme, your deadline may be based on the last time you arrived in the UK before making the unsuccessful application.
- Pre-settled status will be extended by 5 years before it expires, rather than just before it expires.[1]
Your pre-settled status will be extended by 5 years before it’s due to expire.
Who this is for
- Joining family members of EU, Swiss, or EEA citizens[1]Their application deadline is now usually based on when they last arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020.
If you’re joining a family member, your deadline will usually be based on when you last arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020
- Their family member must have lived in the UK by 31 December 2020.[1]
your family member was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
- They must have been a family member by 31 December 2020, unless they are a child born or adopted after that date.[1]
you were their family member by 31 December 2020 (this does not apply to children born or adopted after this date)
- The family relationship must still exist at the time of application.[1]
the family relationship still exists when you apply
- Their family member must have lived in the UK by 31 December 2020.[1]
- People reapplying to the EU Settlement Scheme after an unsuccessful application[1]Their deadline may be based on the last time they arrived in the UK before making their unsuccessful application.
If you’re reapplying after an unsuccessful application to the scheme, your deadline may be based on the last time you arrived in the UK before making the unsuccessful application.
- They must be reapplying after an unsuccessful application.[1]
If you’re reapplying after an unsuccessful application to the scheme
- They must be reapplying after an unsuccessful application.[1]
- People who already hold pre-settled status[1]Their status will be extended by 5 years before it expires, rather than just before it expires.
Your pre-settled status will be extended by 5 years before it’s due to expire.
- They must already have pre-settled status.[1]
If you already have pre-settled status
- They must already have pre-settled status.[1]
Dates
- 31 December 2020 The cutoff date for the family member's residence and relationship status[1]
your family member was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
What the page tells you to do
- Wait for an email from the Home Office confirming the 5-year extension of your pre-settled status.[1]
You’ll be sent an email telling you when this happens.
What the page does not say
- Exactly how many days or weeks before expiry the pre-settled status will be extended.
- What specific requirements the Home Office will check to decide whether to cancel an extension.
- How the deadline is calculated if a reapplicant's case does not qualify to be based on their last arrival before the unsuccessful application.
This reports what an official page says and when it said it. It is not legal advice. The page is the authority; follow the links.