Travel with Residence Card - Success Stories

[craxy1102]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share a experience with you with travelling with my EEA2 for the very first time.

I was travelling with my wife to Germany for Christmas. I did not have time to apply for the German visa, so me and my wife tried to enter Germany on the account that I was a spouse of a EEA national, entering for a short stay in the country.

WHILE LEAVING THE UK
================
The airline told us that we are boarding the flight on our own risk, as they were not aware of any rule that a non-EEA could enter a EEA country without a visa. (Even though the embassy said we could) I told the lady, we would take our chances.
While entering Germany, my wife was quizzed a little bit, but no major hurdles and we entered Germany without a problem. We showed him our two passports and marriage certificate.

WHILE ENTERING BACK INTO UK
======================
While leaving Germany, the custom officer stopped us for a long time, trying to determine why I was in the country without a visa, and why was my passport not stamped when I entered the country. He also said he had never seen a EEA2 RC ever in his life, and then he went on to take the passport to his colleague, and they whispered a little bit, and he said he had never seen this type of UK RC before, but his colleague confirmed it was legit. He then asked my wife a few questions, etc.
When entering UK, ofcourse there were no problems.

Hope this helps.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share a experience with you with travelling with my EEA2 for the very first time.

I was travelling with my wife to Germany for Christmas. I did not have time to apply for the German visa, so me and my wife tried to enter Germany on the account that I was a spouse of a EEA national, entering for a short stay in the country.

WHILE LEAVING THE UK
================
The airline told us that we are boarding the flight on our own risk, as they were not aware of any rule that a non-EEA could enter a EEA country without a visa. (Even though the embassy said we could) I told the lady, we would take our chances.
While entering Germany, my wife was quizzed a little bit, but no major hurdles and we entered Germany without a problem. We showed him our two passports and marriage certificate.

WHILE ENTERING BACK INTO UK
======================
While leaving Germany, the custom officer stopped us for a long time, trying to determine why I was in the country without a visa, and why was my passport not stamped when I entered the country. He also said he had never seen a EEA2 RC ever in his life, and then he went on to take the passport to his colleague, and they whispered a little bit, and he said he had never seen this type of UK RC before, but his colleague confirmed it was legit. He then asked my wife a few questions, etc.
When entering UK, ofcourse there were no problems.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for posting this success story.

What airline did not recognise the residence card? The main thing was that you boarded.

The German IO on entry was correct not to stamp your passport. The IO on leaving was not correct to hold you up.

It is worth noting that one never needs an exit visa (see article 4 of directive).

Good to see that you didn't have any issues entering the UK.

[craxy1102]

it was lufthansa

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

it was lufthansa

Well, the main thing is that you boarded of course. I'm glad you stood your ground.

[MarksGrace]

hi I just want to share my experience in using my RC a few times after receiving it... I got my RC last November 2012... as an UNMARRIED PARTNER OF AN EU (IRISH) NATIONAL...

First trip is to IRELAND... we were told by the Irish embassy that I needed a tourist visa to go to Ireland and they only accept RC's with "FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU NATIONAL" and to ask ukba if its the same with the RC that they issue, I was told by the ukba that it's the same, I would have applied for a visa to be sure but because of time restrictions we decided to rely on my RC... we drove to Ireland for xmas and surprise surprise NO IMMIGRATION OFFICER at the port not sure if they checked my passport when we handed our ticket though... going back was a breeze too passport was checked but all's ok.

Second trip is to BULGARIA around January 2013... we were held up at the check in desk by the easyjet staff who rang her supervisor to check if my RC is acceptable and was asked if my partner and I are travelling together ... which we are together with our son... we brought our sons' birth certificate just in case they ask for proof of our relationship... we were allowed to board the flight... in Bulgaria the immigration officer asked me LOADS of questions like where we're staying, for how long, what's the purpose of our stay and then STAMPED my passport with my return date to the UK as well... I knew he wasn't supposed to do that but with a tired baby I just didn't complain....

GOING BACK TO THE UK... A lady in Gatwick asked me to fill out a landing card because I am not EU... I filled out one but was told by the immigration officer that I don't need to do that in the future as long as my partner and I are travelling together....

FEB 20 my son and I went home to the Philippines for a long holiday and we will go back to the UK with my now HUSBAND around June... I hope all goes well....

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

@MarksGrace, Good stories, thanks for posting.

As an point of information, for the UK, you do not have to fill a landing card irrespective as to whether you are travelling alone or with partner. You have a residence card.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Another success story

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... 923#826923

[too old]

Thanks to all the members of the this thread who been posting and educating us about the whole process. would any one please shed some light on this, what if i am going back to my non EU home country alone with a residence card. will i need to prove to the airport officials on my way back to UK that who am i and how did i get my RC. ? does it matter if spend more than a month or any amount of time less than 6 months?

Thanks A lot

[szandi1990]

hi guys,

My husband hold a residence card, and I am a Hungarian citizen. We are planning to go and visit my family... Does he need a visa, or are we fine travelling?

[Adel123]

Hello all

I have read most of the posts regarding my situation, yet I am a bit confused.

I am a non EEA family member, I got my EEA2 Residence Card in my passport and I am married to my Belgian wife.

she will be in spain from 20 to 30 June. I can't spend 10 days in spain, so I am planning to go there somwhere between 20-30 (say 22-27 June)

so, do I need to apply for schengen visa ? what I am thinking of, is it considered as joining my wife, thus i can use my RC? can you guys please advise.

Thanks

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

hi guys,

My husband hold a residence card, and I am a Hungarian citizen. We are planning to go and visit my family... Does he need a visa, or are we fine travelling?

You should be fine travelling, but complication if entering your own county may be that they want to see that you've lived in another member state first.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Hello all

I have read most of the posts regarding my situation, yet I am a bit confused.

I am a non EEA family member, I got my EEA2 Residence Card in my passport and I am married to my Belgian wife.

she will be in spain from 20 to 30 June. I can't spend 10 days in spain, so I am planning to go there somwhere between 20-30 (say 22-27 June)

so, do I need to apply for schengen visa ? what I am thinking of, is it considered as joining my wife, thus i can use my RC? can you guys please advise.

Thanks

In theory, there is nothing wrong with what you propose, but you may be expected to sow that you are joining spouse.

[Adel123]

would her tickets to spain, copy of her passport, marriage certificate and evidence of living together in the UK (bills ..etc) will suffice in your opinion? is there anything else I should show ? any EU laws..etc?

thanks a lot

Hello all

I have read most of the posts regarding my situation, yet I am a bit confused.

I am a non EEA family member, I got my EEA2 Residence Card in my passport and I am married to my Belgian wife.

she will be in spain from 20 to 30 June. I can't spend 10 days in spain, so I am planning to go there somwhere between 20-30 (say 22-27 June)

so, do I need to apply for schengen visa ? what I am thinking of, is it considered as joining my wife, thus i can use my RC? can you guys please advise.

Thanks

In theory, there is nothing wrong with what you propose, but you may be expected to sow that you are joining spouse.

[askmeplz82]

Hello all

I have read most of the posts regarding my situation, yet I am a bit confused.

I am a non EEA family member, I got my EEA2 Residence Card in my passport and I am married to my Belgian wife.

she will be in spain from 20 to 30 June. I can't spend 10 days in spain, so I am planning to go there somwhere between 20-30 (say 22-27 June)

so, do I need to apply for schengen visa ? what I am thinking of, is it considered as joining my wife, thus i can use my RC? can you guys please advise.



Thanks

In theory, there is nothing wrong with what you propose, but you may be expected to sow that you are joining spouse.

When i went to poland with my wife i had to apply for Schengen visa even though i had residence permit as family member of eu national

and i thought they don't stamp the passport in the airport but they did both entry and exit

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

When i went to poland with my wife i had to apply for Schengen visa even though i had residence permit as family member of eu national

and i thought they don't stamp the passport in the airport but they did both entry and exit

What is wife's nationality? Who made you apply for the visa?

[askmeplz82]

When i went to poland with my wife i had to apply for Schengen visa even though i had residence permit as family member of eu national

and i thought they don't stamp the passport in the airport but they did both entry and exit

What is wife's nationality? Who made you apply for the visa?

My wife is Polish. They said i need VISA even if i'm going with my WIFE together and hold EEA2 5 years resident permit .

Correction: entry and exit stamp in POLISH AIRPORT not UK

i thought they don't stamp in any EU country

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

In general, EU citizens cannot benefit from directive 2004/38/ec in their own country. If, however, they lived in another member state, then they may in certain circumstances benefit.

It may be that the people who advised you to obtain a visa (you don't say who) were misinformed or had not got the whole picture.

Residence card holders do not have their passports stamped, but if you had a visa, they may not have noticed it.

[thatluckyguy]

Here is my situation in a nutshell :

My wife is a Polish citizen settled in UK for the last 7 years.
She has UK residency. I am an Indian citizen with an Indian passport.

We were married in London in Oct 2012. In May 2013 I moved permanently from India and joined my wife here in London and in June 2013 I applied for a UK residency card as a EEA spouse. I was promptly given a 5 year UK residency card by UKBA valid till 2018. The residency card clearly states " RESIDENCE CARD OF A FAMILY MEMBER OF A EEA NATIONAL"

5 days ago we booked a holiday to Italy (Genoa). Flying via Ryanair from London Stansted Airport to Genoa Airport in Italy and then back via the same route. My wife and I were traveling together on this holiday.

My younger brother works in Amsterdam and I may visit him in the future by myself. So while checking in at the Ryanair check in counter in London I asked the staff if, at a future date, I was flying Ryanair to a EU destination (likely Amsterdam), by myself and if my wife was NOT with me, would I be denied boarding? She said yes, Ryanair would NOT let me travel to a EU destination from UK if my wife did not accompany me on the trip.

Question : Was she right ? Can I not travel to a EU country by myself ?

Next, when we landed into Genoa airport, the lady at Genoa Passport Control saw my UK residence card and then STAMPED my passport with the date of entry. I then went to the Passport Control Office behind her desk where a few men in uniforms were looking important and busy and said 'This lady stamped my passport. My passport is not to be stamped as I have a UK residency card' and everyone became very aggressive and I could make out they were making racially insulting statements among themselves about me (I understand a bit of Italian and pretended not to then) and kept saying "You have Indian passport. We stamp Indian passports. Don't argue!" Even the seniors there joined in harassing me and did not let me finish a sentence. After about 10 minutes my wife was in tears and we decided not to argue and just head out of the airport.

When we left Genoa today (27/10/2013), another officer at departure passport control stamped my passport with the date of departure.

After this ugly little incident, as we were exiting the airport, a customs officer suddenly stopped us and questioned me on the purpose of my visit, how long we were going to be in Italy, how much funds I had and if I had any credit cards with me. He then took both my wife's and my passport and left and came back after 10 odd minutes and allowed us to leave. I felt very harassed by this, esp when I saw no one else stopped by this officer from the entire plane of 200+ people.

Question : Can I be stopped and questioned in this manner by officials in the EU at the airport ? What are my rights in this case ? What is my best recourse in such situations where we are being intimidated by people in uniform ?

I would really appreciate some clarity on these 2 questions as I am unsure what the EU law on these incidents are and any clarity will help tremendously.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

You need to be accompanying or joining EU family member in order to benefit from visa free travel.

Your passport should not have been stamped.

[Ayyubi72]

Passport should not be stamped, but if it is stamped, its not the end of the world really, .

[bluecole2]

Surely not end of the world. But weldone for standing up and educating them. Nothing will change if we keep quite when things like this happens. The more people that complain the more the likely they'll get the message.

Better still, for future reference politely tell them they may not stamp your passport when you hand it to them.

[chaoclive]

Is the reason for not stamping a passport because they are allowed to stay in the country (UK or Ireland) or the area (Schengen) indefinitely as long as their recognized family member is with them?

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

I believe it is essentially not allowed because a stamp could be construed to mean leave to enter or perhaps imposing conditions.

[matt234]

Hi guys,
Just thought I'd share my latest experience travelling from and back to the UK with EEA2 RC.
I got a Schengen visa as my wife wasn't traveling with me.
Boarded a KLM flight to Berlin and had stopover at Amsterdam.

At Amsterdam:
Dutch Immigration officer: Where is your final destination today?
Me: Berlin
Dutch Immigration officer: What is the purpose of your trip?
Me: To see a friend
He then flips through my passport, while doing that, I told him my wife is an EU national and I live in London. He then noticed and scanned my data page and RC to check if they were genuine.
Dutch Immigration officer: Do you have a return ticket to London (I wonder why he asked, maybe he thought I'd prefer to stay in the Schengen area illegally)
Me: Yes, I do.
He stamped my passport and let me through.

On my way back, at London City Airport:
UK Border officer: Hello
Me: Hi (handed my passport over to the Border officer)
UK Border officer: So you're married to an EEA national? (closely examining my residence card)
Me: Yes, I am.
UK Border officer: What nationality is she?
Me: Spanish
UK Border officer: Thank you and welcome back.
Me: Thank you.

So easy. No stamp on my passport and I didn't fill landing card, although I was armed with my marriage certificate, reference letter from my wife's employer and UK Border force Operations manual prohibiting border officers from endorsing my passport etc.

I think it all depends on how confident you are at the entry port. If you know what you're doing, then all will go well by God's grace. Good luck to those who want to travel with their RCs.

[steve.watson]

Hi, please could I get some advice. My wife and step daughter are Thai nationals, who have recently been granted 'Residence Permits'. I see a lot of mentions of EEA Residence Cards and am wondering if these are the same thing? The cards are valid for 3 years and have printed on the front 'Leave to Remain' and underneath 'Work permitted'. We are planning a trip to Germany to see friends in the summer. When we last went, they had to have schengen visas and I'm wholly confused if we still have to have them. (PS, we also have 2 British children and myself travelling on British passports). Thank you in advance.