Family Permit vs Residence Card, EFM switching from points
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 10:17 pm
I was just looking at timelines for both options, and their likely outcomes for EEA EFM, that have never had a EEA type of visa (already in the UK, and switching from a different visa category):
Residence Card:
Application place: Within the UK
Fee: 75 GBP
CoA with NO right to work: around 10-15 days
5yr RC with right to work: around 5 months
Family Permit:
Application place: Outside of the UK
Fee: 0 GBP
6 month visa with right to work: around 10 days
Then, after 6 months, apply to RC, then:
CoA with right to work: around 21 days
5yr RC with right to work: around 5 months
Do you see where I am going?
So... if you are the extended family member of a EEA national, already in the UK and switching from a non-EEA category, it might actually be best for you to go to your home country and apply for a family permit, wait 10 days, then come back to the UK already with the right to work; than to apply in the UK for a RC and wait 5 months, with no right to work!!!
Or am I missing something?
Residence Card:
Application place: Within the UK
Fee: 75 GBP
CoA with NO right to work: around 10-15 days
5yr RC with right to work: around 5 months
Family Permit:
Application place: Outside of the UK
Fee: 0 GBP
6 month visa with right to work: around 10 days
Then, after 6 months, apply to RC, then:
CoA with right to work: around 21 days
5yr RC with right to work: around 5 months
Do you see where I am going?
So... if you are the extended family member of a EEA national, already in the UK and switching from a non-EEA category, it might actually be best for you to go to your home country and apply for a family permit, wait 10 days, then come back to the UK already with the right to work; than to apply in the UK for a RC and wait 5 months, with no right to work!!!
Or am I missing something?