I am american and my wife is bulgarian. Does being married to a member of the EU make it easier to work in UK?

Question

I just married a beautiful Bulgarian woman. We would like to move to England from the U.S.. Does the fact that she is a citizen of a country in the EU make it easier for us to obtain visa's to relocate to the UK.

Answer 1

Yes. She can get a work visa, while you can live in the country as her spouse. While in the United Kingdom, you can also apply for a work permit.

btw, South England is an expensive place to live - try North England, Scotland, Wales or Northen Ireland.

Answer 2

Oh yes. EU citizens have more rights than UK citizens.

Answer 3

Absolutely!

Answer 4

The UK has restrictions on the amount of Hungarian and Bulgarian immigrants as too many wanted to move here. However if you can get in it will make it easier on you.

Answer 5

I agree with neill USA.  One of the freedoms of being a citizen of the EU is the free movement of persons as laid down in Article 39 in the Treaty Establishing the European Community.  The rights of family arent spoken about in this Article but Directive 2004/38 deals with this in some detail.

The treaty does put a legal definition of a "family member" at Article 2 (2) (a).  You can read all these articles and directives at the European Community website (the address of which I have forgotten - sorry).

Answer 6

Whilst being a member of the EU entitles your wife to live in the UK, you will have to apply for a visa - marriage gives you no rights just to come and live here.

I am from the UK and my spouse is not from an EU country - he wasn't able to come here without a visa so ignore the people who seem to think you can. Contrary to popular belief emigration to the UK from outside the EU is a difficult and expensive process.

Answer 7

yes. as long as she is exercising her treaty rights (working or studying)in another country like UK. you will become her dependant and luckily she doesn't need to prove that she can accomodate and maintain you. :)

Answer 8

no being married to a bulgarian does not make it easy to get int the uk

Answer 9

I would think so as different rules of entry apply to Europeans & usa citizens.Being married will help,I am not sure what restrictions apply but having a skilled trade or profession which we have a shortage of or "wanted"by the government will help.

Answer 10

Come on over - there's plenty of work.  We already have about half a million Americans working here in London alone and heaven knows how many UK wide altogether.

These links should help. . . . .

American Expats In The UK - bringing the American community ...If you are planning to move to the UK to work, you must get your work permit before arriving in the UK. You cannot apply for a work permit yourself, ...

http://www.americanexpats.co.uk/workvisa...

Not sure if this next site is applicable - but hey!. . . .

How to Get an EU Work Permit  Acquiring a work permit in Europe comes down to doing your homework and plenty .... and UK citizens have the normal rights of any EU citizens, e.g. can live ...

http://www.thetravelersnotebook.com/feat...

Have a read but don't fill anything in unless you're 100% sure etc.  You might prefer to take professional advice first. . . .

http://www.migrationexpert.com/uk/visa/w...

What is UK like?

I'm a Londoner and can only really talk sensibly about London, which I know well.

Here are some 360-pans of London

http://www.urban75.org/photos/london/pan...

Central London - Trafalgar Square webcam refreshes every 5 seconds

http://www.camvista.com/england/london/t...

Yes, it's all true.  London is a mad city - here's what we do on St. Georges's Day here in London - patron saint of England.

http://www.camvista.com/england/london/t...

London Pride by Noel Coward

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-pYvloAA...

Queen's Birthday Parade - Massed Bands - Brigade of Guards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zofhv9KWo...

Here's how we do business in the House of Commons

House of Commons PMQs November 2006

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpVycRpa2...