EEA Family permit and next step

Dear All,

I have recently joined this forum and it provided me very helpful information I need. First I want to thank you all who share their experience and news. Great help.

Now I do have a few questions regarding my EEA family permit visa, love to hear your advice.

1. I am from China, my husband is Irish/ Australian. We met in Australia and got married in March 2014. As he was offered a job in UK as designer( he is Architect ) then we decided to live here for a few years. He was born in Ireland and has Irish passport. So I came to UK on 3rd of June with EEA family permit which valid for 6 month. From my understanding next step I need to do is to apply for EEA2 visa and valid for 5 years, am I right ? Is there any visa valid for 2 years ? or is it the only option ?

2. When is the best time to apply for this Visa? shall I send my application as soon as possible? I heard it takes more than 6 month. My FP visa expires 1 December. or a week before the expire date is better option? will it be legal if I stay in UK after my FP expires and my application is being processed

2. Does my husband need to apply for EEA1 as well?

3. My husband and I have already registered in local GP. Does it mean we both need to have the comprehensive sickness insurance? any advice for that? which company is better and cheaper to buy?

4.Is it legal to work with FP visa if I find job? I am an accountant. I do want to a job to learn the UK Taxation system.


Thank you in advance for every one of yours great advice.

Tulnay

Some answers to your questions:
1. EEA2 residence card is the best option if your husband is working in the UK. Why would you want a visa for 2 years when you can get one for 5 years with minimal hassle?

2. You can apply any time after you husband can prove that he is working in the UK, e.g. after he has pay slips, a contract of employment etc. You will see the required information/evidence listed on the EEA2 application form (from the Home Office website; a simple Google search brings up the form). IT doesn't necessarily take 6 months, recently they have been processing applications quite quickly and you can always request your passport back if you need it for travel. Although, leave plenty of time of its return to you.

3. He does not need to apply for EEA1 at all, but, of course, if he wants to that's fine.

4. If he is working you don't need to consider medical insurance. This is a requirement for EEA citizen students and self-sufficient people - both of which your husband is not.

5. It is legal, but the problem is proving it! The best thing to do it to apply for the EEA2 residence card mentioned above in 1. as soon as possible. After applying your should get a certificate of application (COA) which states that you have the right to work. With this, it will be much easier to find a job. When you get your 5-year residence card (which is actually a sticker on your passport or an A4 sheet of paper if you ask for your passport back) then you will be able to work as long as it is valid. That's the best way to do it.

Good luck
C

Dear chaoclive,

First,thank you very much for your reply. I very much appreciate with your detailed information your provided.

Again, I do have a quick question to ask. I hope you can answer if you can .

I was hoping to lodge my EEA2 application early August but I have two exams in middle of Sep and October. So I am not sure it is good idea to ask my passport just after one month lodgement . Or it is best to wait for finishing my exam then lodge it at the end of Oct. My current EEA family permit will expires on 1 Dec.

Plus my husband also moved to different company and staring in August. So he wont have payslips from new company until Sep I guess.

Can anyone on this discussion board give me some advice .

Thank you

It doesn't matter when your EEA Family Permit expires, you have the right of residence in the UK even without it so long as your husband is exercising Treaty rights i.e. working, self-sufficient, etc. You don't even need an EEA2 to be legally resident in the UK, as an EEA2 merely confirms the rights you have already. An EEA2 is only useful in the respect that it proves to UK employers that you have the right to work. You should do whatever you think is most practical for you.

Thank you very much rose bead ,

The reason I am applying for EEA2 visa to get 5 years visa which allows me to stay in the UK. My Family permit will expire on 1st Dec 2014. As I am not from EU countries . So I need EEA2 visa to stay longer , right? Thanks.