Immigrationboards.com

Maybe I should simplify my question from below.

What I really want to know is: does the EEA-member of the family have to go to the UK first and "exercise treaty rights" there before the non-EEA partner can apply for a visa?

Is there any way to apply for an EEA visa BEFORE either partner has entered the UK, and then go there together if successful?

I could be naive in all this, but in an ideal world, why would one partner (the EEA citizen) go over there and start working when it is not certain that the non-EEA partner can join them?

See Guidance. For entry you'll need an EEA family permit to either accompany or join the EEA national.

Amarine wrote:I could be naive in all this, but in an ideal world, why would one partner (the EEA citizen) go over there and start working when it is not certain that the non-EEA partner can join them?

But that's exactly how family reunifications work nowadays in Europe.