NATIONALS OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EEA)

The following paragraphs explain how nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA nationals) and members of their family can enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom. 

Your rights

Am I a national of the European Economic Area (EEA)?

You are a national of the EEA if you are a national of one of the following countries.

 

Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU). However, the European Economic Area Agreement gave nationals of these countries the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.

Although the United Kingdom is also a member of the EEA, in general the information on this page is not relevant to British citizens and their family.

Do I have a right to live in the United Kingdom?

European Community law gives EEA nationals a right to live and work in the United Kingdom. This is called a right of residence.

You have a right of residence in the United Kingdom if you are an EEA national and:

you are working in the United Kingdom; or 

you do not work in the United Kingdom but you have enough money to support yourself throughout your stay without help from public funds. 

Public funds include Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

Do I need to show my passport or national identity card when I enter the United Kingdom?

Yes, you need to show your passport or national identity card when you enter the United Kingdom. When you arrive at major ports and airports, you should use the separate channel marked 'EEA/EU' where it is available. Immigration officers will check your passport or national identity card to make sure that it is valid and belongs to you.

What rights do I have if I want to work in the United Kingdom?

You can:

accept offers of work; 

work (whether as an employee, in self-employment or in business); 

set up a business; 

manage a company; or 

set up a local branch of a company. 

You do not need a work permit.

You should not be discriminated against because of your nationality in terms of conditions of employment, pay or working conditions.

Can I live in the United Kingdom if I am not working?

You can live in the United Kingdom as a student, as a retired person or if you are not working, as long you have enough money to support yourself throughout your stay without needing help from public funds.

Can I work in the United Kingdom if I am studying?

Yes, you can work in the United Kingdom during or after finishing your studies.

Do I need to apply for a residence permit or register with the police?

No, if you have a right to live in the United Kingdom, you can stay here for as long as you want without getting a residence permit or registering with the police.

But, if you want, you can apply to us for a residence permit. A residence permit simply confirms that you have a right to live in the United Kingdom under European Community law.

You will need to apply for a residence permit if your family members want to apply for a residence document 

How do I apply for a residence permit?

Our firm can assist you in obtaining the residence work permit.

How long are residence permits valid for?

A residence permit is normally valid for five years. However, residence permits may be issued for a shorter period if you are working or studying in the United Kingdom for less than 12 months.

We will not normally give you a residence permit if:
 

you are in the United Kingdom for a short visit; 

you are looking for work; 

you will work and live in the United Kingdom for less than three months; or 

you do not work in the United Kingdom and cannot support yourself without help from public funds. 

Your family's rights

If your family are EEA nationals, they have the same rights to live and work in the United Kingdom as you. The information in this section will be most relevant to members of your family who are not EEA nationals (non-EEA family members).

Can my family join me in the United Kingdom?

Yes, if you have a right to live in the United Kingdom, your family may join you.
Under European Community law, your family includes:
 

your husband or wife; 

your, or your husband's or wife's, children or grandchildren (if they are under 21 or, if they are over 21 and dependent on you); and 

dependent relatives, for example, your husband's or wife's parents and grandparents. 

If you are a student, only your husband or wife and your dependent children can join you.

What about my other relatives?

Your other relatives (such as brothers, sisters, cousins and so on) do not have an automatic right to live in the United Kingdom with you.

However, we will consider applications for your other relatives to join you if you are working in the United Kingdom and:
 

they are your dependant; or 

they were living with you before you came to the United Kingdom. 

How can my family come to live with me in the United Kingdom?

Non-EEA family members must get an EEA family permit before they travel to the United Kingdom if they are coming to live with you permanently or on a long-term basis. If they try to enter the United Kingdom without an EEA family permit, we may refuse them entry.

Does my family need to get an EEA family permit if they are coming to visit me in the United Kingdom?

Yes, they will need to get an EEA family permit if they normally need a visa to travel to the United Kingdom.

Members of your family who are not visa nationals do not need to get an EEA family permit to visit you as long as they will be staying in the United Kingdom for less than six months.

What is an EEA family permit?

An EEA family permit is a form of entry clearance (like a visa) that you are given, free of charge, so members of your family who are not EEA nationals can travel to the United Kingdom.

Will my non-EEA family members need to do anything when they arrive in the United Kingdom?

Non-EEA family members do not need to register with the police.
Your non-EEA family members can, if they want to, apply to us for a residence document. 

A residence document simply confirms that they have a right to live with you in the United Kingdom because you have a right of residence. The residence document we give your family member will be valid for the same period as your residence permit.

Non-EEA family members who have a valid residence document do not need to get an EEA family permit each time they enter the United Kingdom after travelling abroad.

How can my family member apply for a residence document?

Our firm can assist you in applying for a residence document.

We will require the following from you:
 

your passport or national identity card; 

your residence permit (you will need to apply for one if you do not already have one); 

proof that you still have a right to live in the United Kingdom; 

your family member's passport; and 

proof of the relationship between you and your family member (if your husband or wife is applying, we will need to see proof that you are legally married, for example, your marriage certificate). 

All documents should be originals.

Can my family work in the United Kingdom?

Yes, your family can work in the United Kingdom. They do not need a work permit.

Could my family lose their right to stay in the United Kingdom?

Your family could lose their right to stay in the United Kingdom if you:
 

no longer have a right to live in the United Kingdom; 

leave the United Kingdom permanently; or 

are not working in the United Kingdom and either you or your family need help from public funds. 

Your husband or wife may lose the right to stay in the United Kingdom if you divorce.

How can I apply for permission to stay in the United Kingdom indefinitely?

Permission to stay here indefinitely means that you may live in the United Kingdom legally, with no time limit or conditions on your stay, under the United Kingdom Immigration Rules. It is not a right under European law unless you have retired from working or have stopped work permanently because of ill health.

You may apply for permission to stay here indefinitely if you:

have had a residence permit for five years; 

still have a right to live in the United Kingdom; and 

have been working in the United Kingdom, or have been supporting yourself financially, for at least four years, and are still doing this. 

The Home Office generally does not grant  permission to stay here indefinitely if you are a student.

Different conditions for permission to stay here indefinitely apply if you have recently retired from working or have recently stopped work permanently because of ill health.

Case Study

	SURINDER KAUR
	JASVIR SOGI