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EEA marriage and family members
EEA Marriage and Family Members
As is well known, EEA nationals coming to the UK, can enter without the need for prior immigration permission or the help of an immigration solicitor.
Our Immigration lawyers can assist EEA nationals with any immigration matters, but most of our work involves cases where a foreign migrant wants to remain in the UK as a family member of an EEA national.
The 2006 European Economic Regulations allow a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland to bring or keep any foreign migrant of any nationality in the United Kingdom as their family member, subject to certain conditions.
If the application is successful, the family member will usually obtain a residence card for 5 years from the date when it is issued.
Then at the expiry of the 5 year period, the foreign national can then apply for permanent residence in the UK. As immigration solicitors and those interested in immigration issues are aware, permanent residence is the equivalent of Indefinite Leave.
Who is a family member?
EEA national can “sponsor” the following persons who are foreign migrants:
1. husband;
2. wife;
3. civil partner (a gay spouse);
4. children or grandchildren
5. children or grandchildren of the foreign migrant as long as they are under 21 years of age or are dependents
6. The parents or grandparents of the EEA national or the foreign migrant;
Immigration solicitors and lawyers are often asked about other relatives, usually extended family members such as brothers or cousins. These can make an application, but it is not automatic and there needs to be pre-existing dependency shown.
These applications are considered in Liverpool at the UKBA, not in London. Immigration lawyers have noted that this has led to a different culture being adopted at these parts of the UKBA.
If you and your partner are not married or in a civil partnership, please see our EEA unmarried partners page).
Please contact our immigration lawyers for an appointment
London
W1S 1HT
United Kingdom
© 2011 Westkin - London Immigration Lawyers
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