UK EEA2 Family Permit visiting Ireland ?

ukeea · Post by **ukeea** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:28 am

Hi,

I've been reading several post on this forum but most of them are contradictions or talks things about 'wording'...but no one really is giving a clear answer to this question:

If I have a valid UK EEA2 Family Permit can I travel to Ireland without a visa? - (I'm traveling with my German wife - we both live and work in the UK for more than 3 years)

- Are the airlines aware of this?

- If I reach the border and I have my passport, marriage certificate, my wife can they still refuse entry?

This are holidays we both have income, jobs, I traveled to several countries in Europe with my Schengen visa and the EEA permit with no problem... but still I want to be sure about Ireland.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:07 pm

Do you hold an EEA Family Permit or do you hold a Residence Card (following an application for same using form EEA2)? Your post seems to mix up the two terms.

Either way, if you and your wife turn up at the border with your passport, her passport (or National ID card) and your marriage certificate, entry cannot be refused unless it is suspected that you or she may be a danger to public health, security or policy.

Hopefully you have a Residence Card in your passport, to satisfy the airline.

ukeea · Post by **ukeea** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:48 pm

Hello Ben,

Thank you for your answer, to reply to your questions:

- I hold an EEA Family Permit NOT a Residence Card

Do you think the only problem would be the airline, are there not aware of the use of an EEA? or they don't care?

Let me know,

Thank you

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:17 pm

What nationality are you?

ukeea · Post by **ukeea** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:22 pm

Hi Ben,

Peruvian with a EEA Family Permit.

Thanks,

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:35 pm

Without a valid UK Residence Card or a visa for Ireland, the airlines are likely to refuse carriage - even though you are legally allowed to enter Ireland together with merely your passports (Nation ID Card in the case of your German spouse) and marriage cert.

To save stress and (likely) refusal of boarding, you need to either:

Get a visa for Ireland (free, must be issued as soon as possible).
Get a UK Residence Card (free, takes six months).
Enter Ireland over land (fly or take ferry to Northern Ireland from Britain).

ukeea · Post by **ukeea** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:42 pm

Hi Ben,

Thank you for your advice, I have one question regarding the residence card, that does mean that I can exchange my EEA permit for a Residence Card?

Another question/update, I called the Irish embassy to ask them about it and they said all in on their website! ... NOT!

They said takes 7 working days to get a visa, I only want to go over the weekend, I can't wait almost 2 weeks!

Is there a way to get the visa faster? calling that 900 number maybe?

Regards,

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:48 pm

ukeea wrote:I have one question regarding the residence card, that does mean that I can exchange my EEA permit for a Residence Card?

Your EEA Family Permit is expired if it was issued 3 years ago, so it's useless. You're not obliged to apply for a UK Residence Card, but it's very useful for many reasons. Your present predicament, for example. Have you never left the UK in three years? Who are you intending to fly to Ireland with by the way? And, equally important, for your return to the UK?

ukeea wrote:Another question/update, I called the Irish embassy to ask them about it and they said all in on their website! ... NOT!

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Fa ... EU_Citizen

ukeea wrote:They said takes 7 working days to get a visa, I only want to go over the weekend, I can't wait almost 2 weeks!

Is there a way to get the visa faster? calling that 900 number maybe?

Not really. By law it must be issued as soon as possible. Seven working days is reasonable.

ukeea · Post by **ukeea** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:14 pm

Hello Ben,

After checking my permit again it says:

"Residence Documentation"

"Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National"

Valid until: 23 Mar / mar 14

So... if it is a residence card, can I go then?

Thanks

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:18 pm

ukeea wrote:Hello Ben,

After checking my permit again it says:

"Residence Documentation"

"Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National"

Valid until: 23 Mar / mar 14

So... if it is a residence card, can I go then?

Thanks

Ah, so you do have a UK Residence Card!

Yes, this can be used for travel to Ireland in lieu of an Irish visa. It also exempts you from the requirement to have a UK visa for subsequent re-entry.

Panic over. Enjoy Ireland. Please bring lots on money. We need it.

ukeea · Post by **ukeea** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:23 pm

Hello Ben,

Thank you, my only concern is that sometimes the airlines are not aware of it, any chance to get a law or directive that will show them I'm allowed to travel?

Thanks a lot, I'll look for the end of the rainbow there might be some gold there

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:35 pm

ukeea wrote:Hello Ben,

Thank you, my only concern is that sometimes the airlines are not aware of it, any chance to get a law or directive that will show them I'm allowed to travel?

Statutory Instrument 146 of 2011.

..and in case that link dies: mirror.

ukeea · Post by **ukeea** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:43 pm

Hey Ben,

Thank you very much, in a couple of years I would like to apply for PR, if you offer some services please PMme your details.

Thank you

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UK EEA2 Family Permit visiting Ireland ?

UK EEA2 Family Permit visiting Ireland ?