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Monday, 16 September 2013

Applying for an EEA Family Permit

For EEA nationals who wish to live with their families and work in the UK, it is recommended that any relative of the EEA national that is not from one of the 27 countries that make up the EEA, files for a family permit UK.  The person must be a family member of an EEA national to qualify, and in effect this acts as a visa, giving the family member clearance to reside permanently in the UK while the claimant works or searches for work.

Dependant family

The term ‘family member’ is defined as being a child or grandchild under the age of 21 who is dependant on the claimant, a husband, wife, or civil partner, or grandparents that are also dependent on the claimant.  Anyone who is not immediate family must show that they are dependent on the claimant in order to be considered for access, and non-dependent family members are not eligible for free residence in the UK.  There is no application fee required in order to apply for a family permit, and any doubts as to the eligibility of a person for this process should be directed to our immigration solicitors. 

Documents must be provided to prove that the non EEA national family member is related to the claimant, and it is advisable to provide everything that is requested in order to process the application smoothly.  As immigration lawyers, we are well versed in the procedure and will provide assistance at all levels of the application.  The passport of the EEA national is needed in order to prove that the non EEA member is related to them, and the passport should also be endorsed by the embassy of the country of the EEA national’s place of residence.  A birth certificate or marriage certificate is also needed in order to prove the relationship between the non EEA member and the EEA national; if these are not accessible some other kind of proof of the relationship of the family member is required. If in doubt as to what kind of certification is needed, then our immigration law firm can provide the answers.

The EEA national must also provide a letter confirming that the family member is travelling with them, or travelling to join them in the EEA member’s country of residency.

Document evidence

The EEA national should also provide a range of documentation to prove that they are deemed as a ‘qualified person’.  Firstly, the person must have been living in the UK for at least three months, and if the person is a worker they must provide their contract of employment, wage slips, and/or a letter from their employer.  Students must provide evidence from their college or university of their enrolment and completion dates.  Evidence that the EEA national has sufficient funds to support the dependant family member must also be provided.  Although the whole process may seem challenging, our immigration lawyer firm specialises in all things that come underneath the immigration umbrella, so if a person has any doubts, do not hesitate to contact our experts.

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