EEA Family Visa

The UK is a part of the European Economic Area (EEA). The rules of the EEA permit the free movement of nationals between member states. Thus an EEA national who lives or intends to live in the UK may be eligible to sponsor a dependent relative by applying for an EEA Family visa.

Non-EEA nationals whose family members are EEA members exercising their Treaty Rights in the UK can apply for an initial five-year residence family permit (or 6 month permit on entry clearance, and then extend to the full 5 years once in the UK), allowing the applicant to live, work and study in the UK without restriction. As with all five year residence visas, once that time is up the applicant can then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and ultimately for British citizenship.

An EEA Family visa is initially granted for six months on entry clearance to allow you and your family to enter the UK and settle in. During that initial six-month period, you will be required to apply for an extension of five years.

To qualify for an EEA Family visa you must fulfil basic criteria set out by UK immigration services including:

• Both spouses/partners must be over 18 years of age;
• The relationship must be genuine;
• Applicants must be dependent on their EEA relative.

For more information on the EEA Family visa please call us on 0203 291 2711 or complete the form at the bottom of this page.

Our other Family and Settlement visas: