Visiting the UK as EEA resident (spouse of UK citizen)

[armagod]

Hello

I'm facing a bit of dilemma and was wondering if one of the experts could help.

I'm a UK national married to an Indian. My wife obtained her UK spouse visa in May 2012 and moved to Britain to live with me soon after.

Soon after, however, I received a job offer from Denmark and accordingly, in Oct 2012, however, we moved. My wife obtained her 5-year Danish (EEA) spouse residence permit before we got here.

We have family and friends in the UK and visited a few times since our move without issue. However on our last trip back, we were informed by the immigration officer at the UK port of entry that my wife's Entry Clearance (Multiple) is in fact invalid for this sort of travel. We were told, after the officer consulted his superiors, that she would instead need to obtain a separate visa to enter the UK on such family/tourist visits. Such a visa would apparently be free for her as an EEA resident.

This was puzzling as it had not been raised as an issue on our previous UK visits. However, we had obtained a similar sort of a Schengen visa from France while resident in the UK before our move to Denmark, so this didn't seem too unusual.

There seems to be some anecdotal advice/information/responses on forums regarding such a visa. However, I have been unable to find any information on the UKBA site or on various forums regarding such a special visa for EEA residents. Worldbridge, who have a Biometric centre to handle UK visa applications in Denmark, have just quoted the UKBA site in response to my enquiries. There is a lot of info out there regarding EEA entry clearance but that would seem to apply only for the case where my wife and I would be moving back to Britain.

I am contacting the Consular services in Copenhagen as well, but would like to see also if any of the experts here has a view.

Thanks


PS: Apologies if this is not the correct forum for this question. Please redirect as appropriate.

[vinny]

See also British Citizen Visiting the UK with non-EEA Spouse.

[armagod]

Vinny, thanks. So it would seem the EEA Family Permit (with renewals) is the way to go then.