At First Law Solicitors, we provide specialist immigration advice to family members of eligible persons of Northern Ireland. This route, introduced to protect families after the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, allows certain family members to live, work, and settle in the United Kingdom without relying on the general Appendix FM requirements.
Our solicitors bring together detailed legal knowledge and compassionate representation to ensure that your application fully meets Home Office criteria under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules and the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) transitional protections.
The Family Member of a Person of Northern Ireland route recognises the unique status of Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement. It ensures that family members of people from Northern Ireland are not disadvantaged compared to EU citizens and their families.
An eligible person of Northern Ireland is someone who:
This route allows such individuals to sponsor certain family members under conditions similar to those that applied before Brexit.
A person may qualify if they are the spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, child, parent, or dependent relative of an eligible person of Northern Ireland.
Applicants do not need to meet the same minimum income thresholds that apply under other Appendix FM categories, making this a more accessible and humane option for many families.
You can apply whether you are already in the United Kingdom or are joining your family member from overseas.
This route was initially implemented under the EU Settlement Scheme in 2020 and has since been fully integrated into domestic immigration law. As of 2026, it continues to be governed by Appendix FM and Appendix Family Member of a Relevant Person of Northern Ireland.
Following the 2025 reforms to the Data Use and Access Act (DUAA), all applications are made digitally using the UKVI online portal. This includes digital proof of identity, electronic evidence submission, and the use of Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) to verify legal documents.
To succeed under this route, you must show that:
Evidence may include passports or birth certificates proving Northern Ireland birth and parental nationality, marriage or partnership documents, proof of cohabitation, and correspondence showing a genuine relationship.
Where the relationship is between a parent and child, evidence of dependency and shared residence is essential.
Our solicitors ensure that every piece of evidence is presented clearly, correctly formatted, and compliant with Home Office evidential standards.
The Family Member of a Person of Northern Ireland route provides significant benefits compared to standard family visa options:
These features make the route particularly attractive to families seeking stability and long-term settlement in the United Kingdom.
Even where an applicant cannot meet every technical condition, our solicitors often present additional arguments under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This ensures that the best interests of any children and the right to family life are fully considered in line with modern Home Office guidance.
We draft compassionate and strategic legal representations that highlight the real human context behind every application.
As of January 2026, the Data Use and Access Act 2025 governs how immigration documents and personal data are managed.
At First Law Solicitors, all applications are filed digitally, using secure encryption and QES authentication to guarantee full compliance with the DUAA and Home Office digital identity standards. This protects your family’s information while ensuring a faster and more reliable processing experience.
Local Expertise: Our solicitors understand the unique political and legal context of Northern Ireland and its connection to both Irish and UK law.
Legal Precision: We anticipate Home Office scrutiny and address it through detailed evidence and legal reasoning.
Cross-Border Strategy: We provide coordinated advice for families divided between Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain.
Digital Assurance: All submissions meet DUAA standards for data integrity and identity verification.
At First Law Solicitors, we combine expert legal strategy with empathy and professionalism, ensuring that your family’s path to settlement is both secure and dignified.
If you are the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland and wish to secure lawful residence in the United Kingdom, contact First Law Solicitors today for confidential, expert advice.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to arrange a private consultation with a senior immigration solicitor.
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