EEA permit: what if I don't have a 6 months bank statement?

Question

I am an EEA member and have settled in UK a few weeks ago, so my bank account is a fresh one. In order to let my husband, who is Kenyan, have the EEA permit I need to show my bank statements starting from 6 months ago. What can I do? I think the EU directive would allow my husband to enter the UK with or without any bank statement, this is just a UK adjustment to the EU directive according to its immigration rules. However, if I was coming for the first time to settle in the UK, together with my husband, they would not ask us anything of that kind. So it's an obvious contradiction! Can somebody help me? I DESPERATELY NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS SUCCESSFULLY GOT THE EEA PERMIT in order to have some advice!!! Thank you

Answer 1

When you say 'permit' I am assuming you mean residence card. You do not say where you are from. If you are from one of the new accession countries that require YOU to have a work permit, your husband will not be able to apply for a residence card until you have completed 12 months continuous employment in this country.

However he can apply for a residence stamp (it's confusinfg as both come as an addition in a passport). Either way, as I understand it, your husband does not NEED to have a stamp or card, but it is handy to have one to CONFIRM your entitlement. Be warned they are required to complete applications within 6 months, however they are currently dealing with applications received in Jan 08.

I've looked at the forms and neither one (card EEA2 or stamp FMRS) requires you to provide 6 months worth of bank statements.

If you want to take advice go for one of the voluntary sector organisations or check if there is something local to you, but they are inundated and may not be able to take you, private solicitors cost of course. Unfortunately one key agency JCWI is not currently undertaking any casework. Advice from the UK Borders Agency is:

If you engage an immigration adviser, take care when choosing

one. The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner

(OISC) regulates immigration advisers. Their website at

www.oisc.gov.uk contains a list of authorised advisers.

Your question suggests that your husband is currently outside the UK. He has every right to be let in without any permit, card or stamp.In fact he can only apply for a card or stamp from within the UK.

Check out the link yourself - good luck