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a question about entering on a EEA Family Permit
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:57 am
by rufus23
Hi there,
Just a quick question.
My wife has obtained an EEA Family Permit and we are going to travel together from Ireland to the UK this weekend.
We are planning on residing permanently in the UK.
Anyway, we will be getting a flight from Ireland to the UK - and often times, when arriving in the UK, all passengers are ferried off the plane and not put through an immigration check. Now, given that there is usually no immigration check, I am concerned that my wife will not have her passport stamped with the date we entered the UK together.
Is not having a date of entry in my wife's passport going to cause us a potential headache in the future? If so - should I request that my wife be put through an immigration check on arrival in the UK?
Thanks.
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:25 am
by Jambo
Better to get it stamped in case she will need to travel alone next time and you are not in the UK.
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:43 am
by rufus23
Jambo wrote:Better to get it stamped in case she will need to travel alone next time and you are not in the UK.
Thanks for this...was under the impression that everytime she entered on the EEA Family Permit, she would need to be accompanied by me? You appear to be saying that isn't necessarily the case - and that only the first time she enters the UK does she need to be accompanied. Is this correct? May I trouble you for you a link?
Thanks very much.
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:50 am
by rufus23
rufus23 wrote:Jambo wrote:Better to get it stamped in case she will need to travel alone next time and you are not in the UK.
Thanks for this...was under the impression that everytime she entered on the EEA Family Permit, she would need to be accompanied by me? You appear to be saying that isn't necessarily the case - and that only the first time she enters the UK does she need to be accompanied. Is this correct? May I trouble you for you a link?
Thanks very much.
That other thing I wanted to mention was that, if she is going to apply for PR after 5 years in the country, does her initial date of entry into the UK therefore become vital to prove continuous residence?
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:45 am
by Jambo
The EEA Family Permit is a multi entry visa. The requirement to accompany you or join you is just for the initial entry. She is allowed to travel alone if you reside in the UK and exercise treaty rights even if you are not physically in the UK when she travels.
A stamp in the passport is not vital for PR as there are other means to prove residence but it can be useful.
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:50 pm
by rufus23
Jambo wrote:The EEA Family Permit is a multi entry visa. The requirement to accompany you or join you is just for the initial entry. She is allowed to travel alone if you reside in the UK and exercise treaty rights even if you are not physically in the UK when she travels.
A stamp in the passport is not vital for PR as there are other means to prove residence but it can be useful.
Thank you very much for this

Re: a question about entering on a EEA Family Permit
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:36 pm
by EUsmileWEallsmile
rufus23 wrote:Hi there,
Just a quick question.
My wife has obtained an EEA Family Permit and we are going to travel together from Ireland to the UK this weekend.
We are planning on residing permanently in the UK.
Anyway, we will be getting a flight from Ireland to the UK - and often times, when arriving in the UK, all passengers are ferried off the plane and not put through an immigration check. Now, given that there is usually no immigration check, I am concerned that my wife will not have her passport stamped with the date we entered the UK together.
Is not having a date of entry in my wife's passport going to cause us a potential headache in the future? If so - should I request that my wife be put through an immigration check on arrival in the UK?
Thanks.
I'm not very sure that you can wander off and find an IO? Email UKBA and ask. The first stamp could be jolly useful as proof of first entry later on (you may be in temporary accommodation to begin with). It could end up being stamped another time (example if you enter from France).
With all the entries under the directive, the non-EU is meant to be either accompanying or joining. The EU national can be "joined by" even if they are temporarily out of the UK (for example on business). I would be more cautious doing this until you are settled into the UK (working and having an address for example) in case it causes you inconvenience.
Re: a question about entering on a EEA Family Permit
Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 10:58 am
by Amo2012
rufus23 wrote:Hi there,
My wife has obtained an EEA Family Permit and we are going to travel together from Ireland to the UK this weekend.
I wonder if you would like to share the timelines of getting the EEA family permit......when did you apply and when was permit granted?
thanks
Re: a question about entering on a EEA Family Permit
Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 5:02 am
by marco_m
ultragujar wrote:rufus23 wrote:Hi there,
My wife has obtained an EEA Family Permit and we are going to travel together from Ireland to the UK this weekend.
I wonder if you would like to share the timelines of getting the EEA family permit......when did you apply and when was permit granted?
thanks
I applied on a Weds, April 18th and got it back approved the following thursday.
Re: a question about entering on a EEA Family Permit
Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 9:18 pm
by EUsmileWEallsmile
marco_m wrote:
I applied on a Weds, April 18th and got it back approved the following thursday.
In terms of days, that's eight. Is that what you meant?
Re: a question about entering on a EEA Family Permit
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 11:07 pm
by rufus23
EUsmileWEallsmile wrote:marco_m wrote:
I applied on a Weds, April 18th and got it back approved the following thursday.
In terms of days, that's eight. Is that what you meant?
My apologies for the delay in responding.
It took 10 working days for the EEA FP to be issued and returned to me by post.