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How long will it take for my husband to receive a EEA Family entry clearance permit to join me and kids in the UK? I'm Swedish citizen, he's American. Does he need a current passport to begin this application, or can he apply before? His passport is expired, and his new one will arrive in 4-6 weeks.

I had looked into this question previously and had been told that this entry permit takes a short time, approximately 6 weeks, but upon my recent arrival in the UK, on way to Sweden, I was told in customs that such a permit takes 6 months currently. I'm wondering if he was referring to the permit that one must apply for AFTER arriving in the UK, to secure continued residence. I'm aware that customs officials all over Europe do not always know current regulations.

Can anyone enlighten me about this? My husband is currently in the US and we hope that he will be able to join up with us within the next few months, sooner the better.

Also, I need instructions on how to apply for this permit from the US. I tried checking the UK Embassy there, but I could only find a link to applying for a visa, which would not apply to our situation.
Who initiates the application--me, him, both?

Thanks!

swedeinus wrote:I had looked into this question previously and had been told that this entry permit takes a short time, approximately 6 weeks, but upon my recent arrival in the UK, on way to Sweden, I was told in customs that such a permit takes 6 months currently. I'm wondering if he was referring to the permit that one must apply for AFTER arriving in the UK, to secure continued residence. I'm aware that customs officials all over Europe do not always know current regulations.

Yes, customs told you about the processing times of residence cards (not a permit!) which BTW does not need to be applied for though for pratical purpose your husband better gets one. The EEA family permit which just serves as an entrance clearance should be issued much faster. I would think that 6 weeks is quite a long time.

If your spouse "belongs" to the UK NY consulate the processing times can be found here: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/processingtimes

That list will show that 31 percent of all EEA Family Permits applications were resolved in 5 days and 100 percent in 10 days.

Sooo....... 6 weeks? 6 Months??? Far from both.


Enjoy,

Michael

Hi there,

To apply for the EEA Family Permit, your husband should apply. Go to the Worldbridge site:
https://www.visainfoservices.com/Pages/Welcome.aspx

It will tell you how to apply from the US. The general procedure is, your husband has to submit an online form (you can do it in stages and save the application). Once it's submitted it will let you make a biometrics appointment - your husband has to take the printed complete form, supporting documents, to the relevant British embassy, and submit them in person as well as having fingerprints and eye scans done.

Then you just wait - they'll notify you when a decision has been made .... under EEA regulations they are supposed to treat Family Permits as priority.

Good luck!