Any spouse permit that covers European travel?

[apoplectix]

Hi,

I am British and my wife is a Chinese citizen with an indefinite leave to remain in the UK permit. We were planning to spend a week in France and in accordance with Schengen visa requirements bought the plane tickets and booked the hotel. Then the cretins at the French consulate denied her a visa as there is a tiny scratch on page 2 of her passport. A page which just says "The Chinese government request that you be nice to our citizens", in my mind not an important page and the scratch was caused by an airport worker sticking a baggage receipt on that page and us peeling it off.

So, after my rant, my question is is there any type of permit she could have that negates the need to apply for a Schengen visa, if we ever attempt to broach Europe in future. As I said she has an indefinite leave to remain Uk resident permit, but that has no meaning outside of the UK. I have looked at things like the EEA family permit, but from what I can gather that is not relevant to us as we live in the UK. Though I may be wrong, it's all seems designed to confuse and not amuse.

Is there any way she could travel with me to Europe with no visa?

p.s. I am aware that by EU law, she shouldn't need a visa anyway and should be able to rock up at the airport with a marriage certificate and a couple of passports, but seems this law is not respected by Johnny French.

thanks,

Jake

[MPH80]

No - without relocating to Europe you can't get a permit which satisfies those conditions.

[Amber]

Technically no visa should be required, just your passports and marriage certificate.

[Casa]

The problem is with the airline who may deny boarding.

[Amber]

Indeed, therefore asking in advance may be helpful. Although, such action may be unlawful and should be challenged.

[MPH80]

Indeed, therefore asking in advance may be helpful. Although, such action may be unlawful and should be challenged.

But when it's done by a gate agent who refuses to let you board the plane - it's not going to get you very far ...

[Wanderer]

Indeed, therefore asking in advance may be helpful. Although, such action may be unlawful and should be challenged.

But when it's done by a gate agent who refuses to let you board the plane - it's not going to get you very far ...

This ^

Depends on whether you want a nice relaxing holiday or a trip from Hell with the looming fear of conflict all along the way...