EEA Permit

[eddiek]

Hi gang,

As you may or may not already know, myself and Levin are currently planning on getting married next year.

We are currently in the planning stages, and have identified EEA family permit as the route of choice.

However, it has come to my attention that the EEA family permit is potentially only available to EU citizens who have resided here in the UK for 5 years or more?

I have been here in the UK since about 2.5 years already.

For this reason, I need to establish whether or not this is a viable route for us or not.

I have searched the internet high and low, but could not find anything on this 5 year rule, however this piece of information did come from a very good source....

As you know guys, it's better to be safe than sorry, so just making 100% of this, hence opening a new topic!

Any feedback on this topic would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys,
Ed :xxgrinning--00xx3::xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Terpe]

The EEA Family Permit is available to all family members of EEA nationals who are exercising EU treaty rights.
It applies to anyone applying to join or who are intending to accompany their EEA National family member to UK.

As an Irish Citizen you are an applicable EEA National providing you are not also a British Citizen.

The visa is free. No risk at all. Decisions are very quick.
Just review the links previously posted.

[Donutz]

Indeed Terpe, the EU/EAA permit applies to all applicants who are a family member of an Eu/EAA national traveling together to any EU country except the one the EU national is a national of (that would be Brits returning to the UK for inatance). Though in specific cases it also applies to them: those who exercised their freedom of movement right in an other EU/EAA country and returning, this is known as -among other names- as the Surrinder Sighn route.

The UKVI page on EAA permit should tell you all you need to know, if in doubt or you wish to read more you could check the EU webpage on travel to the EU with family members:
http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-family/index_en.htm

And if you really wish to dig into it you could read the EU directive that this all is based on: freedom of movement (2004/38/EC).

Short answer: if you are not a British national but just Irish (or any other EU nationality) your wife id eligible for this free and swiftly issued visa. :)

[eddiek]

Thank you very much for your help Terpe.

I have looked through all links already posted on this topic, and nowhere does it mentioned regards this need for the EU citizen to be residing her win the UK for >= 5 years....so should be fine..

Thanks for your help again Terpe.

[Terpe]

....... those who exercised their freedom of movement right in an other EU/EAA country and returning, this is known as -among other names- as the Surrinder Sighn route.......

If you really want to understand more about the 'Surinder Singh route' check out the latest immigration rules. You'll find some huge challenges. Whether EU legal or not it's the judge to decide.