Your Ultimate Guide to Applying for an EEA Family Permit

The process for applying for an EEA family permit is pretty straightforward. Yet, many people are surprised when their application ends up getting rejected by the UK Visa and Immigration Offices.

So, let’s focus on the basics; what are the requirements for the EEA family permit and what this permit can be used for!

The Purpose of the EEA Family Permit

According to the Immigration Regulations of 2016, the EEA Family Permit can be used to allow overseas nationals from countries outside of the EEA to enter the UK. But this is as long as they are:

• A family member of that EEA National or
• An extended family member of the EEA National

What Must the EEA National Provide?

The EEA national in the UK must prove that they are:

• In the UK already, or
• Are planning to travel with the applicant to the UK within the following 6 months of the date written in the application

If this EEA national has been living in the UK for more than three months, they must:

• Either show that they are a qualifiedperson i.e. they are looking for work, are self-employed, are studying or are self-sufficient
• Show that they have the right of residence to live in the UK

Who Qualifies as a Family Member?

Several family relations do qualify for the EEA Family Permit, including:

• Spouse or civil partner
• Direct relatives of the EEA national or their spouse or civil partner that’s under 21
• Dependent direct relatives of the EEA national, their spouse or civil partner that’s over 21
• Dependent direct relatives in the ascending order i.e. parents and grandparents

Costs and Documentation

Applying for the EEA Family Permit is free.

As for the documents, while there isn’t an exhaustive list, the crucial documents that must be submitted alongside the application do include the following:

• Current valid passport
• Evidence of your relationship with the EEA family member. This includes documents that clearly state the nature of your relationship, such as a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, birth certificate, or any proof that you’ve stayed together for the past 2 years.
• The family member’s current valid passport or identity card (You may also submit a certified copy)
• Proof of dependency if you are dependent on the EEA family member

Additional documents on behalf of the EEA family member include:

• Evidence that the EEA national has been living lawfully in the country
• They either have permanent residence
• Have been in the country for over three months
• Any evidence of employment, such as an employment contract, letter from the employer or wage slips
• Evidence if self-employed such as bank statements, contracts, invoices and audited accounts
• Proof of education via a letter from the college or university
• Evidence of being legally financially independent via bank statements

More Information

According to the expert immigration solicitors at Wembley Solicitors, the EEA family permit is valid for up to 6 months. However, family members do not need to leave the UK after it expires, since this permit is only meant to facilitate their arrival in the country. Although to strengthen their case, these family members can apply for the Residence Card so they can prove their status in the country.

Thinking about Applying?

Contact Wembley Solicitors at 020 3417 3700. Our expert solicitors will make applying for the EEA permit all the more easier!