How easy is it to get an EEA Family Permit?
An European Economic Area (EEA) Family Permit Visa permits entry into EEA countries for non-EEA family members of those who are EEA nationals. The UK in particular, requires non-EEA family members to obtain this Permit Visa, in order to reside in the country for a short period of time.
An EEA Family Permit is valid for six months and you will need to apply for a new permit if you intend on staying in the country longer than this period. Additionally, families of EEA nationals can apply for an EEA Family Residence Card which will formalise your right to remain in the country for longer.
In this blog, we have outlined some of the key requirements you need in order to obtain an EEA permit.
What are the requirements of an EEA Family Permit?
To qualify for an EEA Family Permit you must show that:
One, You are a family member of an EEA national who already resided in the country or will be travelling with you within 6 months of your application.
A family member is defined as:
- A spouse
- Civil partner
- A partner who you have lived within a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years (this includes same-sex partners)
- A dependent child or grandchild under 21 years, or;
- A dependent parent or grandparent
Secondly, You will remain in the same household as your EEA national family member as their dependent.
And lastly, If your family member (EEA National) is already in the UK and has been for 3+ months, they must be exercising their Treaty rights as an employee, self-employed person, student or self-sufficient person.
How do I apply for an EEA Family Permit?
Applications for an EEA Family Permit can be done online and there are no fees charged by the government to process your application.
If you are applying from North Korea, you are unable to do so online. If you are applying from this area and need assistance please contact our team for more information.
Which documents do I need to include in my application?
For a successful application, you will need to provide the following documents:
- A valid passport
- Evidence of your relationship to your EEA family member, for example a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, birth certificate, or proof that you’ve lived together for two years if unmarried
- Your sponsor’s valid passport or national identity card (or a certified copy if you can’t provide the original)
- Proof of your dependency if you’re dependent on your EEA family member
- Proof that your EEA family member has permanent residency status or, if they have been in the country for more than three months, is exercising their Treaty rights
What are the advantages of having a EAA Family Permit?
Obtaining an EEA Family Permit allows you to travel to the UK, or any EEA country with peace of mind, ensuring you do not encounter any problems between borders. The process to obtain an EEA Residence Card is also made a lot smoother if you have already had an EEA Family permit, as most of the requirement steps have been completed already.
Bridgeway Trust offers both UK Residency and Citizenship by Investment programmes. If you are interested in finding out more about either of these programmes, get in touch with one of our agents today.
