What is a Zambrano application?

"Zambrano" is a route available under EU law. It can be used by a parent where they are a primary carer of a British citizen child, where the child would be compelled to leave the UK if the primary carer leaves. The Zambrano route is based upon principles contained in the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union.

A successful Zambrano application will result in grant of a derivative right to reside under EU law. An application under this route costs £65 but does not as a matter of EU law lead to a right to stay in the UK permanently. It does, however, now offer access to the new EU Settlement scheme which can lead to settlement by way of Settled Status, so people who have already benefited from the principle may not be able to make an application to stay permanently even though they did not expect to be able to do this.

A Zambrano applicant has a difficult test to meet - he or she must show that they are the primary carer for a British child and that their departure from the United Kingdom would compel the British child to leave the UK.