Title: EEA permit or tourism visa for a vacation in the UK? Post by: sebalex on May 03, 2017, 11:55:48 am hey everyone!
I live and work in Barcelona. I am married to a spanish citizen and have an article 10 residence permit (residence permit for family of EU national). I can see that this gives me the option to enter the UK with an EEA permit, however, for some reason from what I understood, that is only the case if I want to move and live/work there. Which i'm not, I just want to visit for a week or two. An EEA permit is free of charge and a toursim visa is 107 euros even though as the partner of a european citizen I should be able to enter the UK free of charge. Not only am I not understanding if I can use the EEA permit for tourism, but I'm also not finding where I can apply for it! any help would be appreciated, thanks! seb Title: Re: EEA permit or tourism visa for a vacation in the UK? Post by: bugibar on May 11, 2017, 03:24:33 pm An EEA family permit is an immigration document that assists the holder to enter the United Kingdom as a family member of a citizen of a contracting state to the European Economic Area agreement. An EEA family permit is valid for 6 months, and it does not distinguish whether your intention upon entering UK is to live there or to just visit the Big Ben. You can leave and enter the UK as many times as you need within that time. You apply for an EEA family permit on the VAF5 form
Code: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/270530/vaf5.pdf The application is to be submitted to the UK Border Agency and can be applied online at: Code: https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa See here for more details on the EEA family permit: EEA Family permit (http://www.euro-dollar-currency.com/EEA_family_permit.htm) http://www.euro-dollar-currency.com/EEA_family_permit.htm Good luck to you. Title: Re: EEA permit or tourism visa for a vacation in the UK? Post by: sebalex on May 11, 2017, 03:54:38 pm thank you for your help.
On tripadvisor, where i asked the same question, i got the following answer: The EEA Family Permit is indeed for spouses of EU nationals moving to the UK, not for visitors. It's the same as the document that was issued to you in Spain. If you are travelling to the UK with your partner then you do not need to apply for anything at all from the British authorities - your Spanish residence permit doubles up as your visa for the UK. So I understand that EEA is needed no matter WHAT the case is, for me to enter the UK ? Or can I just show up with my partner and show my article 10 residence permit as European national's partner? also, if given an EEA permit, does my partner have to be traveling with me for me to enter the UK? thank you Title: EEA family permit Post by: bugibar on May 12, 2017, 10:24:18 am The EEA family permit is defined in The Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations No. 1003 of 2006. See PART 2, EEA RIGHTS.
Code: Right of admission to the United Kingdom Then, the regulation defines what happens if you do not have an EEA family permit: Code: (4) Before an immigration officer refuses admission to the United Kingdom And if you read further in article 12: Code: 12.—(1) An entry clearance officer must issue an EEA family permit Not having an EEA permit before you head to the UK - you might not get a boarding pass when entering on board of your carrier, and you could experience major delays without one. Depending on the setting at the border, you may be refused entry into the UK if you don’t have an EEA family permit. An EEA family permit makes it easier and quicker to enter the UK. It is free of charge, so considering the fact that you are eligible for one, I would not hesitate to apply. Your partner needs to travel with you. The code defining the EEA family permit does not reflect purpose of travel. Title: Re: EEA permit or tourism visa for a vacation in the UK? Post by: danisara on May 12, 2017, 10:29:25 am By the way, see here for more details:
Code: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eea-family-permits-eun02/eea-family-permit-eun02 Let us know how your travel went and whether you had any issues entering the UK. Title: Re: EEA permit or tourism visa for a vacation in the UK? Post by: sebalex on May 12, 2017, 10:41:44 am Thanks again for your time and help!
Yes, yesterday I started filling out the application. I just read the articles you shared. I was kind of worried about whether or not airlines would let me board without a visa even if by law I am allowed to enter the UK with my partner and my spanish residence card. I do think having the EEA permit is better to play it safe and avoid complications. However, while filling out the EEA permit application, there was a question that asked if my EEA national partner will be accompanying me. You mentioned they have to, so how come they ask a yes or no question, instead of saying ''you can't enter unless they're with you''. I ask this because I'm traveling mostly to visit friends and family members living there, and not only does she not know them, she's also not so good in english, which can make the trip less exciting for her, so I obviously prefer traveling alone. Do you think if I apply for the EEA permit and say my spanish partner is not accompanying me, I will get refused? Because I don't understand why they'd put that option to being with... thanks again for all the help:) |