picosam wrote:I've asked this before but I've never got a satisfying answer; I hope I will this time. I'm an Egyptian getting married to my Belgian girlfriend in Egypt. We have no problems in getting married in Egypt and we got the list of required documents from the Belgian Embassy in Egypt. We will be staying (and living) together in Cairo until September of 2008. At that point, she has to travel to Syria to finish her PhD for a year. I would like to go to Europe then, work, setup a decent home until she returns back a year later.
1. Would they allow me to reside in Europe even though my wife is in Syria?
2. What kind of proof of relationship should I be preparing that would be useful later? For example, the contract of the flat we're renting currently, is only in my name. Should she, for instance, register the same address in the consulate?
3. How about if I want to go to Europe (alone) for a couple of weeks at some point before she leaves Egypt (and before I apply for residency), would I get that VISA easily? Or would she still have to be traveling with me?
Thank you,
Sammy
I'm not 100% sure about this, so others are free to chip in and offer clarification, but I'll give it a shot!
Using your numbers;
1. Which part of Europe are you referring to (i.e. which country)? And exactly how long (in months or years) will she be out of the EU? Is she planning on returning home in-between Egypt and Syria?
Generally, you need to enter (the EU country) with your wife if you wish to reside here, or enter to join her in the country. You normally cannot live in the country without her being present with you, especially if she is going to be away for a long time. Now, it depends on what country you're referring to - Belgium or any other EU/EEA state?
If it is Belgium, you need to read up about Belgian immigration rules re spouses from non-EEA countries. If it is any other EEA country, then you need to read about the EEA family permits, but I don't think you can live in any EU country without your wife, especially if she's going to be out of the EU for a good year or two.
2. Not sure - maybe the marriage certificate, and then some, but it depends on the country in which you wish to reside.
3. If you're going alone, you certainly won't be granted a spouse visa or EEA family permit if you're not going to
join your wife in the EU. If she's still abroad - you have to stay with her, I think. You can apply for a visit visa, but that's on your own accord.
AFAIK, it would be difficult to secure a long-term settlement visa if she isn't going to be in the EU/country with you for so long. It's hard in the UK (only short absences or absences for work are possible, I'm not sure about 12+ months), so maybe the same elsewhere.
