Family permit thread.

Hello Scouse,

I have an Irish passport, a Thai wife and a 2 year old son plus a stepson(9) and stepdaughter(6). We have been together for 3.5 years and married for 1.5 years.

Do I apply at the British embassy (in Bangkok or could I do it once in the UK) for a family permit and do I need to do it in person with my wife, (in Thailand)? How long is the family permit valid for or do you need to use it within a specific time frame?

Under these circumstances is there any additional advice you can offer?

What paperwork do they require?

Lot's of questions :-) Many thanks in advance.

Stuart,

Applications for family permits are made to the embassy in Bangkok via the application centre. You don't need to be present. You need to demonstrate that you are married, and that you are a citizen of an EEA country other than the UK. In relation to the step-children, they can apply for family permits, too.

As a citizen of an EEA country, you have an initial right of residence for three months in the UK during which time you do not need to demonstrate that you are a "qualified" person. However, for the sake of an easy life, you may wish to provide evidence that you are/will be working in the UK or that you are self-sufficient or that you are actively seeking work.

The relevant UK legislation gives the visa officer the right to apply the Immigration Rules to such an application as your family's but the immigration Tribunal has established that this has no foundation in the actual European directive (EC/2004/38) which is the primary legislation. However, again for the sake of ease, you may wish to supply the embassy with evidence of accommodation and that you have been living together.

A family permit is valid for six months. Once in the UK, the holder is not obliged to seek any extension and, whilst still considered to be a family member, will be lawfully in the UK. However, s/he may make an application to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) for a residence permit which will be valid for five years and helps to facilitate travel abroad. This application is again free and the UKBA is legally obliged to make a decision within six months of having received it.

Scouse.

Stuart,

Applications for family permits are made to the embassy in Bangkok via the application centre. You don't need to be present. You need to demonstrate that you are married, and that you are a citizen of an EEA country other than the UK. In relation to the step-children, they can apply for family permits, too.

As a citizen of an EEA country, you have an initial right of residence for three months in the UK during which time you do not need to demonstrate that you are a "qualified" person. However, for the sake of an easy life, you may wish to provide evidence that you are/will be working in the UK or that you are self-sufficient or that you are actively seeking work.

The relevant UK legislation gives the visa officer the right to apply the Immigration Rules to such an application as your family's but the immigration Tribunal has established that this has no foundation in the actual European directive (EC/2004/38) which is the primary legislation. However, again for the sake of ease, you may wish to supply the embassy with evidence of accommodation and that you have been living together.

A family permit is valid for six months. Once in the UK, the holder is not obliged to seek any extension and, whilst still considered to be a family member, will be lawfully in the UK. However, s/he may make an application to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) for a residence permit which will be valid for five years and helps to facilitate travel abroad. This application is again free and the UKBA is legally obliged to make a decision within six months of having received it.

Scouse.

Many thanks, Scouse.

The application centre, this is in the Embassy?

Stuart

The UK Visa Application Centre is located at:

Regent House, 2nd Floor,

183, Rajdamri Road,

Kwaeng Lumpini,

Khet Pathumwan,

Bangkok 10330

The UK Visa Application Centre is located at:

Regent House, 2nd Floor,

183, Rajdamri Road,

Kwaeng Lumpini,

Khet Pathumwan,

Bangkok 10330

Many thanks!!

The UK Visa Application Centre is located at:

Regent House, 2nd Floor,

183, Rajdamri Road,

Kwaeng Lumpini,

Khet Pathumwan,

Bangkok 10330

Many thanks!!

Hello Scouse,

I have a British passport and an Irish one. Obviously I will make the application using my Irish nationality. What do I say re my British passport - i.e. travel in the past 10 years etc?

Regards,

Stuart

Explain that you are a dual national and for the purposes of the applications at hand, you wish to present yourself as being Irish. If your travel history is contained on your British passport, you can submit a copy.

Scouse.

Explain that you are a dual national and for the purposes of the applications at hand, you wish to present yourself as being Irish. If your travel history is contained on your British passport, you can submit a copy.

Scouse.

Again,

Many thanks Scouse

Stuart