I AM MARRIED OVER TWO MONTHS NOW AND UNFORTUNATLY DUE TO WORK AND MONEY COMMITMENTS I HAVE HAD TO RETURN TO NORTHERN IRELAND WITHOUT MY WIFE. WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED A DATE FOR HER INTERVIEW WHICH IS ON THE 13 DECEMBER WHICH I FIND CRAZY.IS THERE ANY WAY TO REQUEST A SOONER INTERVIEW? ANY REPLIES WOULD BE HELPFUL

THANK YOU

Hi Darren,

Were you born in N. Ireland? If so, then you will be entitled to both a British and an Irish passport. If you have an Irish passport, then you can withdraw your wife's settlement application and make an different application for a family permit. This means that your wife would be making an application on the basis of being married to a European Union citizen rather then a British citizen. Family permits are free, and should be issued on the day for which it's applied with no prolonged interview.

If you want to apply for a family permit for your wife then please post here and I'll tell you whay to do.

Scouse.

Darren, as i said in your other post "TURN YOUR CAP LOCK OFF"

Edit/ Scouser posted at the same time

Yes scouser i was born in nortern ireland. I would like to know more about the family permit and also thanks about the advice about my wifes baby she has declared that on her application

OK Darren,

As you were born in N. Ireland you are British but, because the Paddies also believe it to be part of Eire, you are also entitled to an Irish passport. European law dictates that a citizen of a European Union country is able to freely work in another EU country AND is allowed to be accompanied by any immediate dependants (in your case, your wife).

Therefore, if you haven't got one already, get your Irish passport and make a second application to the British embassy, but this time present yourself as being Irish rather than British. Accompany the application with a letter stating that for the purposes of your wife's application you wish to be considered as Irish and give them a copy of the passport, explain that you are working in the UK (enclose evidence) and prove that you are married by providing your marriage certificate (plus translation if married in Thailand). Also state that you wish to withdraw the previous settlement application and ask for your money back (you're not guaranteed to get it, but you might).

The instructions issued to visa officers state that such applications should be dealt with at tier 1; i.e. without a formal interview, and can only be refused in very limited circumstances. For further information, here is a link to the relevant instructions. The appropriate application form can be downloaded from here. When completing section 1 tick the box that says "non-EEA dependant of EEA national.

If you follow this route, your wife could be with you within the week.

Any further questions, then post them here.

Scouse.

Thanks scouser dont have irish passport but will apply tomorrow mate.

Excellent news man will keep you updated

Thanks again

Darren,

When your wife makes her family permit application, I'd include in your accompanying letter a reference to the procedures the visa officer must follow. Something along the lines of, "I fall within the provisions of section 21.7 of the Diplomatic Service Procedures and would be grateful if you consider my wife's application for a family permit at tier 1 as stipulated in section 21.5.1 of the DSPs. As can be seen from the supporting documentation, I am an Irish national exercising my treaty rights in the UK and am married to the applicant."

Best of luck,

Scouse.