Working in UK with family permit as an extended family member of EEA citizen

[Nemanja1987]

Good afternoon to everybody,

Hope you are all well.

My name is Nemanja and i am writing from Belgrade, Serbia.
I will try to explain my situation in several sentences and try to be as clear as possible.
I have an enquiry regarding visa application, in short i have a girlfriend and we are together now for 5 and a half years, she moved to UK 2 months ago as she is a EU citizen and now i am planing to come as her partner, we are not married but we are in relationship as mentioned and we lived together in Belgrade for almost 5 years.
She has rented an apartment in London and has a job there. I have visited her about 3 weeks ago and we were together for 9 days.

During these 2 months i've been collecting various documents, pictures and other paperwork which i plan to give to immigration office as a proof of our relationship and to ask a family visa as her partner.

What i wanted to see with you is:
- What are your experiences in general with similar circumstances ?
- I saw that i have to proof my knowledge of English is mandatory, i had classes through my entire life since kindergarten till college days and masters so i wanted to see if i can give the immigration my college BSc and MSc diplomas or i need to give them IELTS test results as an English knowledge proof?
- Also do you have any specific advises how to apply for the visa or something i can prepare that will insure that i get the visa?

Thank you all in advance and your answers will be much appreciated.

Best regards,
Nemanja

[at12]

Hi Nemanja,

If she has a job (that is, she is exercising treaty rights), you might want to consider applying for for an EEA Family Permit before entering the UK. This is free of cost and valid for 6 months. Then, once in the UK, you can apply for a residence card that is valid for 5 years (or until Brexit).
I am not sure why you say you need to give evidence of proficiency in English; normally this is not a requirement.
Did you look at the following page?
https://www.gov.uk/family-permit

As you are not married, you are considered an ‘extended’ family member of your EEA partner.

Good luck!

[Nemanja1987]

Hello,

Thanks a lot for the fast response.
I saw now that i have to fill 2 questionnaire/inquiry lists i guess i was looking at something else, than when i fill them both i am redirected to www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk to fill some forms there again is it correct or i missed something ?

What also i wanted to check is this, when i apply for family permit (family visa) and as you say i will get it for the period of 6 months, can i apply to work during that period or i have to wait that these 6 months are over and when i extend my stay for 5 years than i can apply for work?
Because honestly we are planing to live together and work in UK, actually she is already i just have to join her.

Thank you and best regards,
Nemanja

[Hamlette]

If you are married you have rights ie work, as an extended member you are unlikely to get work permission until your application is decided that can take up to 6 months, once you are in the uk. you will also need to produce 2 years evidence of cohabitation ie joint/bank account, joint bills and tenancy agreements

[Nemanja1987]

Hi everyone,

I got today my family permit as an extend family member of an EEA citizen and you guys helped a lot with suggestions, my visa application was done in 1 month, even few days less than 1 month.
Once i arrive in UK it will be in about a month i will apply for my residence card.
What i wanted to ask you is, with this family permit can i work or i need to apply for work permit or something similar ? My girlfriend is already working in London.

Thanks in advance.

Best regards,
Nemanja

[Nemanja1987]

Hi guys,

Few days back I have got a family permit for extended family member of a EEA citizen.
I am from Serbia and my girlfriend is a EU citizen, Hungarian.

Since now i have a vise, is it enough for me to work in UK or i need to apply for work permit?
I am planing to come by the end of the month and my girlfriend is already working there for 3 months.

I would really appreciate your help about this.

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,
Nemanja

[Richard W]

Once i arrive in UK it will be in about a month i will apply for my residence card.
What i wanted to ask you is, with this family permit can i work or i need to apply for work permit or something similar ? My girlfriend is already working in London.

Legally, you will be able to work as soon as you arrive, and according to Directive 2004/38/EC, having a residence card cannot be made a precondition of employment.

In practice, while some employers will accept the family permit as evidence that you may work, many will insist on a residence card. You should therefore apply for one as soon as you arrive.

The residence card is issued under Article 10 of the directive, and is evidence that when you applied you were as a family member and, in particular, are permitted to work. It also serves as a type of visa. It would become invalid immediately if you and your girlfriend ended your relationship. In the UK it has the effect of converting you from an 'extended family member' to a family member, but only so long as the relationship continues.