Any advice on EEA1 and EEA2, please?

[katli]

Hey guys,

the whole application process for the EEA family permit looks rather complicated and expensive, so it would be great if someone could help us and clarify a couple of things.

My husband (EEA) and I (non-EEA) are married, and living in the UK. He's currently studying for his PHD and I'm unemployed at the moment. Do we both need comprehensive health insurance to apply for EEA1 and EEA 2(family permit)? If yes, can we buy a year insurance or 5 years (duration of EEA 2 permit)? I am looking for a new job so I don't think 5 years insurance is needed really, as I will be eligible for NHS as soon as I am working again. Also, my husband has comprehensive, private health insurance in Germany already, which is tied to his father's insurance. It is rather confusing for us.

Also, can we apply for EEA1 and EEA 2 at the same time, that is, send the application documents at the same time?

Thank you very much in advance!
K.

[Jambo]

I wouldn't say applications under EEA regulations are expensive compared to other visa the UK offers (you can easily spend over £1000).

RC is optional but recommended.

If he has insurance from Germany that covers him in the UK, that's fine.

See EEA FAQs - Common Questions - Read before posting - Residence Card.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

It's more expensive than it used to be...

There is no real advantage in the EEA1 - save yourself £55.

Check very carefully that the German insurance extends to the UK.

[katli]

I wouldn't say applications under EEA regulations are expensive compared to other visa the UK offers (you can easily spend over £1000).

RC is optional but recommended.

If he has insurance from Germany that covers him in the UK, that's fine.

See EEA FAQs - Common Questions - Read before posting - Residence Card.

Thanks for your help. I am referring to the comprehensive health insurance which is expensive rather the the application fee.

Are you saying that my husband does not necessarily need the Registration Certificate and that I should apply for EEA family permit straight away? Do you by any chance know that if I need the comprehensive health insurance as I am currently unemployed?

Thanks a lot.

[katli]

It's more expensive than it used to be...

There is no real advantage in the EEA1 - save yourself £55.

Check very carefully that the German insurance extends to the UK.

Thanks a lot for your comment. I don't understand why it is not neccessarily to obtain EEA1 for my husband as it is stated on the UK Border Agency website that he should be exercising his treaty rights (by applying for EEA1?) in the UK in order to support my application (EEA2) for a residence card.

If his German insurance does not extend to the UK, does he have to buy comprehensive health insurance as well? If yes, for a year or 5 years?

Many thanks!

[Jambo]

Rights under the EEA regulations are obtained automatically. You exercise treaty rights by the activities you do (working, studying). Not by having a paper from the Home Office. The Home Office just confirms those rights following an application. For the EEA national this confirmation is meaningless.

[katli]

Rights under the EEA regulations are obtained automatically. You exercise treaty rights by the activities you do (working, studying). Not by having a paper from the Home Office. The Home Office just confirms those rights following an application. For the EEA national this confirmation is meaningless.

Thanks a lot Jambo! I know what you mean. I will apply EEA2 straight away. Do you by any chance know about the length of insuance my husband and I should obtain for the application?

Many thanks.

[Jambo]

You need to have an insurance at the time of application. There is no requirement to show it will be valid in future (but of course, if you want to obtain PR after 5 years you better make sure he is covered during the whole duration of studies).

If he has EHIC from Germany or the German insurance covers him in the UK, that would be fine.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Thanks a lot for your comment. I don't understand why it is not neccessarily to obtain EEA1 for my husband as it is stated on the UK Border Agency website that he should be exercising his treaty rights (by applying for EEA1?) in the UK in order to support my application (EEA2) for a residence card.

The UK chose not to make the holding of residence certificates mandatory. Other EU states have. It is possible to obtain residence card (EEA2) without having applied for residence certificate (EEA1). The key point it that the EU national is exercising treaty rights and can evidence that.