Forum Immigration UK

[intmuse]

Hello to all,
My boyfriend of two years who's French is going to work in the UK very soon and we are applying for the EEA visa (although it is not clear what the advatages are of the UK Settlement visa other than that it costs alot of money). We are putting together our documents to prove our relationship and living together. But it is hard to attest for the first few months since we didn't share an adress or bills at that point. We want our friends and landlord to write a letter but I am worrying that this isn't enough. Also since I am quitting my job to go join him I will get letters from parents that they will support mefinancially. We were thinking of opening a joint bank account and putting about 4000 euros in it for now - again I dont know if this is enough.
So we're a little worried. Can anyone who knows more tell me what is best to submit? We don't have shared bills but have bills coming to the same adress.

All advice is welcome and I'd be great to hear from someone who's been successful at getting this type of visa.

Best

...

[ben_ifa]

If he's French he doesn't need a visa. Doesn't even need a passport for that matter.

[intmuse]

Hello, I did mean for me - US citizen. Little update, we've found a new option. If you are a national of a country like the US, you can travel to the UK without a visa!!! and apply from within the country for the EEA2 family permit, which if granted is for 5 years. It takes a long time - 6 months officially but I've been reading they are behind. But within 10 - 15 days they send you a certificate which can theoretically permit you to work in the meantime - it is not granted automatically though.

Crossing fingers.

[wellingtonkiwi]

Hi there, this is a bit belated probably, but as far as I’m aware the right to work in the UK while the EEA2 application is being considered is limited to ‘Family Members’ and does not apply to ‘Extended Family Members’, which an unmarried partner is considered to be.
You could consider applying for an EEA Family Permit before entering the UK. You can apply from most (or all?) British Embassies abroad and it gives you multiple entry to the UK and right to work for up to 6 months. Then you could enter the UK, put in an EEA2 application and work while it is being considered.
I obtained an EEA Family Permit in late October from the British Embassy in Dublin, and it only took 3 days to come through (there are processing times shown on the UKBA website for all of the visa offices outside of the UK, and they’re updated every month I think). I then returned to the UK and put in a comprehensive EEA2 application (unmarried partner) which was approved in only a month – though I’m aware of other cases where people wait 6 months to over a year.... Happy to give more detail on this if you want it, otherwise, good luck 