EU family permit visa - Studio flats

[eddiek]

Hi guys,

As you may have gathered by now, myself and Levin are planning on getting married in Nov 2014/Jan 2015 - 2 stage approach.

I am currently trying to get everything in order, and one of those things happens to be accommodation.

I am currently living in shared accommodation.

I currently live with 2 others. We live in a 2 bed terraced house in Uxbridge. However, the living room has been turned into a bedroom - leaving us with a bedroom to call our own.

I am sure this accommodation would be ok for the purposes of Levin's visa application (landlord would be OK about this). I would rather move into a place of our own.

For this reason, I am currently looking around for a place to rent, ideally a 1-bedroom apartment.

I would also consider a studio flat, but I am not sure if a studio flat would suffice for the purposes of the visa application, since there isn't a clear divide between the bedroom, and the rest of the apartment, such as the kitchen/living room area.

Source of data:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maintenance-and-accommodation-maa/maintenance-and-accommodation-maa--2#maa6-accommodation-general-requirements

--> Do you guys agree/disagree that studio flats DO NOT qualify as adequate accommodation for EU Family Permit visas?

Thanks

See text highlighted in blue below:

Just on a side note, the EEA family permit application format does seem to require information on accommodation, as seen below. This suggests to me that shared accommodation could pose an issue, or may not represent the application well.

Thanks

[Terpe]

Why do you think you need to comply with UK Immigration rules?

Where in your EEA Family Permit research have you encountered anything about adequate accommodation?

[joebloggs]

--> Do you guys agree/disagree that studio flats DO NOT qualify as adequate accommodation for EU family permit visas?


You're applying for a Family Permit and not a spouse or fiancée visa.

[joebloggs]

Why do you think you need to comply with UK Immigration rules?

Where in your EEA Family Permit research have you encountered anything about adequate accommodation?

Maybe there should be thou, but you're right no need for Family Permits..


Does the EEA National or his/her family member need to meet the Accommodation requirement?

No. Similar to the income requirement, this is only a requirement for applicants that apply as family members under the UK Immigration Rules. EEA Family Permits are governed by the EEA Regulations, not the UK immigration rules. There is no such requirement in the Regulations and therefore there is no such requirement for EEA Family Permits.

http://ukimmigrationspecialist.com/2012/10/22/eea-family-permit-faq/

[Terpe]

Ed,
No offence intended, but you should focus your attention on actually getting married.

I'd also strongly advise you stop digging around in the UK immigration rules since in principle they do not apply.

[eddiek]

Thanks for the quick responses guys.

It turns out I will need to move into a place of our own, as my current landlord will not allow me to share the room with anyone else.

For this reason, I will need to find a place of our own, as I would not be comfortable living in shared accommodation with my wife at that point.

Since I need to give proof that I am actually residing in the UK, the Council Tax bill, my voting card, my utility bills will all act as proof of me actually:

residing at this address where Levin will also stay
Confirm that I am actually residing here in the uk already

By the way, the link you posted above Joebloggs is excellent, I will review this - thanks very much.

On top of this, Levin needs to declare where she will be staying when she arrives in the UK, and must also provide evidence that the landlord has consented her to stay at the address along with me in my case..

For the reasons mentioned above, I honestly believe that I need to move into my own place a couple of months before Levin applies for the visa.

@Terpe: I agree entirely with your advice concerning the focus needed on the wedding at this point. However, accommodation is something I need to sort out now, so as to have it sorted by Feb 2015, since I thought a place of our own was required for the application.


http://i58.tinypic.com/2n8wif5.png

http://i58.tinypic.com/2rp9nup.png

[tiger31]

Do you meet the £18,600 income required?

[SimonH]

I'm a bit confused here :Erm:

Is this the right form? Clue being EEA national, where is your future wife from?

[Terpe]

Do you meet the £18,600 income required?

Not required for Family Permit.

[Terpe]

I'm a bit confused here :Erm:

Is this the right form? Clue being EEA national, where is your future wife from?

- It's the correct form for Family Permit.
- The second screenshot image concerning details of accommodation and permission to stay is not part of the EEA FP form and has no bearing at all to the application.
That's a mistake on Ed's part.
- It doesn't matter where Ed's non-EEA wife is from as long as Ed is an EEA national exercising treaty rights.

[eddiek]

- It's the correct form for Family Permit.
- The second screenshot image concerning details of accommodation and permission to stay is not part of the EEA FP form and has no bearing at all to the application.
That's a mistake on Ed's part.
- It doesn't matter where Ed's non-EEA wife is from as long as Ed is an EEA national exercising treaty rights.

Hi Terpe, you are correct in saying that the 2nd screenshot is not part of the EEA FP form. However, it was taken from a guide issued by the UKBA on supporting documents for the EEA FP form.

Please find the source here (bottom of page 2):

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/261446/eea-family-permit.pdf

[Terpe]

Hi Terpe, you are correct in saying that the 2nd screenshot is not part of the EEA FP form. However, it was taken from a guide issued by the UKBA on supporting documents for the EEA FP form.

Please find the source here (bottom of page 2):

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/261446/eea-family-permit.pdf

Ed,

Have you reviewed the application form so far ?

I'm doing my best to help guide you.

You may consider seeking professional advice to help you.
I believe that's your safest future strategy

Whatever your decision, I wish you good luck

[eddiek]

Hi Terpe,

I'll be honest, with you, I have only jetski'ed over the application form, and have also gone through that supporting document overview pdf file above.

Thanks very much for your help Terpe - I really do appreciate your help mate - I know you're doing your best. :smile::smile:

Once the wedding is out the way, I will then focus 100% on the EEA FP application.

However, the only reason I needed to review the EEA FP was to understand the accommodation details, since that is the only factor that requires forward planning right now.

[joebloggs]

However, the only reason I needed to review the EEA FP was to understand the accommodation details, since that is the only factor that requires forward planning right now.

If you're exercising your treaty rights, you have virtually a legal right to bring your partner to the EU country you're in.

The only major reasons they could refuse the visa for, is if they believe it's a marriage of convenience, or you were not exercising your treaty rights

[mike1]

if you're exercising your treaty rights, you have virtually a legal right to bring your partner to the EU country you're in.

The only major reasons they could refuse the visa for, is if they believe its a marriage of convenience, or you were not exercising your treaty rights


:Erm: Has Ed got to be exercising his treaty rights for a continous 5 yr period, or not?

[Terpe]

:Erm: Has Ed got to be exercising his treaty rights for a continous 5 yr period, or not?

To do what?

[mike1]

To do what?

For his wife to be, initially to get her family permit and then to get her residence after 6 months.

[Terpe]

For his wife to be, initially to get her family permit and then to get her residence after 6 months.

No.

Technically the EEA national does not even need to be living in the UK at the time of application. They could be travelling together.
Technically there's even no need to actually have a job.

In connection with residence permit it's much better to make application for that immediately following arrival to UK. Although not mandatory to even have a residence card it helps hugely to smooth out many issues.
The 6 months validity of EEA Family Permit is only for entry purposes. Once in UK there's technically no expiry.

[eddiek]

@Mike & @ Terpe.

Thanks for yer input on the topics above, some interesting points there..



No.

Technically the EEA national does not even need to be living in the UK at the time of application. They could be travelling together.
Technically there's even no need to actually have a job.

In connection with residence permit it's much better to make application for that immediately following arrival to UK. Although not mandatory to even have a residence card it helps hugely to smooth out many issues.
The 6 months validity of EEA Family Permit is only for entry purposes. Once in UK there's technically no expiry.

[gm47]

For this reason, I am currently looking around for a place to rent, ideally a 1-bedroom apartment.

a 1 bed flat in Uxbridge is pricey, you may have to try Hayes or West Drayton :(

[eddiek]

you're right mate, im thinking about moving to aylesbury instead.

i know it's miles away, but i can get a really niec place out their for 650 quid.

for the same standard of accomodation in uxbridge, i would need to spend about 900quid!

[gm47]

you're right mate, im thinking about moving to aylesbury instead.

i know it's miles away, but i can get a really niec place out their for 650 quid.

for the same standard of accomodation in uxbridge, i would need to spend about 900quid!

yes that is about right :( depends on where you work ? if you have to travel back in every day then you will have the cost of petrol or trains :(

cheaper to live in the Phils :)