Overview

EU citizens living in Scotland (and the rest of the UK) must have a valid immigration status. Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible to apply for immigration status under either the:

• EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• points-based immigration system

Irish citizens do not need leave to enter or stay in the UK. Read about the Common Travel Area arrangement on GOV.UK.

Applying through the EUSS

The deadline to apply to the EUSS was 30 June 2021. You can still apply to the EUSS if you:

• were living in the UK by the 31 December 2020 and
• have a good reason for applying late

Check GOV.UK for full details on immigrating to Scotland through the EUSS.

Reasons for applying late

Whether or not the UK Government will consider your application depends on your reason for applying late. 

You may be considered if you: 

• were under 18 years old in 2021
• had a serious medical condition
• had care or support needs and were unaware of the need to apply

Your reason must have applied at the time of the deadline, 30 June 2021.

You can check the guidance on late applications to the EUSS on GOV.UK.

Applying as a family member

You can apply to the EUSS as the family member of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. All of these must apply:

• they started living in the UK by 31 December 2020

• they have settled or pre-settled status, have applied for it and are waiting for a decision or are eligible for settled or pre-settled status

• you are joining your family in the UK on or after 1 April 2021

Check how to apply to EUSS as a family member on GOV.UK.

Check how to apply to EUSS as a family member of someone from Northern Ireland on GOV.UK.

Applying through the points-based immigration system

Find out how to apply to live in Scotland through the points-based immigration system on GOV.UK.