Hello everyone.

I'm an EEA citizen married to a Japanese woman, and we are currently travelling around in Europe, aiming to make the UK our final destination and to settle down there to look for jobs and a home.

Whilst preparing for going to the UK, I've searched the highs and lows to find information about which visas/permits we need to obtain. What confuses me the most at the moment, is the seemingly big gap between the Home Office and the Border Agency in terms of process. Where the Border Agency has the 'apply from country of residence and then wait for the papers to come through'-approach, the Home Office seems to have the 'come to the UK, apply, and wait here for you papers to come through'-approach. Is my understanding of the broad differences between the two somewhat accurate?

I found this quote in a stickied post on these forums;
"4.4. Right of residence in the UK
EEA family permits issued abroad are usually valid for six months. The family must travel to the UK during this time. Once in the UK, an application should be made by the European spouse/partner to the Home Office", and now I am not sure whether this means that one HAS to have applied from abroad before going to the UK with the intention of settling down, or if one can 'choose' to go to the UK first and apply from within?

As we are already in Europe, it is 'too late' to apply to the Border Agency in Japan, and we are thus hoping that it is possible for us to go to the UK without the permits and apply from within, with me being an EEA citizen and her being Japanese and thus not in need of a visa to enter the UK. Is this assumption accurate, or will she not be able to go to the UK without the permit from the Japanese mission?

As our situation is somewhat unusual, I have had some difficulty finding our exact options on the internet, and I would appreciate it greatly if someone could enlighten me and/or guide me to a proper source of information.

I thank you for your time and your helpful answers.

Regards,

Carl.

 

Hi,

Thank you for your answer and confirming what I thought.

Does anyone else know how the HO will 'respond' to this?

Kind regards,
Carl

 

Hi again Tom,

As mentioned, we won't have time to apply for the EEA permit, as we're already in Europe where we've been travelling and never really been in one place long enough to make an application.

I was wondering though, supposing we're both able to enter the UK, upon making the application(s) (EEA2 in her case), will she be able to work until waiting for the Residence Card to be issued? I remember reading about a confirmation letter from HO saying something about the application being processed, and also, whether employers actually allow this as proof?

Thanks again.

 

Hi all,
Just a little update and a new question from me.

My wife and I are now living in London. I am working here, and she has just started looking for work.

Now, we're about to submit the EEA2 application next week, and I have a question about this which might seem a bit silly.

In the application leaflet, is it the non-EEA resident that fills out the main section of the form, ie. section 1, page 5 onwards, 'Applicant's details'?

If yes, then I assume that Section 2 is for 'others' such as children and other family members?

Furthermore, if yes to both above questions, I would have to (being the EEA national) fill in section 3 (Sponsor)?

I would appreciate a confirmation, just to make sure we fill in the form correctly.

Kind regards,

Carl.

 

Thanks so much,
You've been very helpful indeed!