Advice for Family Permit Applicants

I had a very positive experience applying for a UK family permit with the British Consulate in New York City and would like to share some advice for other Americans who are applying.

Within just three business days, I received an email message with the good news! An envelope with my passport and other documents a few days later. My spouse and I did it ourselves. Here's some advice that I'd pass along:

- First, be honest and forthcoming when filling out the application. As an example, we didn't have accommodation in the UK and I explained where we planned to move, what our rent range would be, and what websites and services we planned to use to secure a flat.

- Second, I would say to provide as much information as possible to support each aspect of the application without overwhelming the people who will be handling it. For example, I attached the business card of my banker to bank statements. To support my financial information, I included my own business card and one recent check from my employer. Why not?

- Third, I would organize the application very neatly. There are a lot of documents from you and your spouse that you will be mailing. I used post-it notes with simple bold headings to clarify documents that belonged together (and held them together with paper clips). I also used colored folders to separate my documents and my spouse's documents. The people at the consulate have to deal with a lot of applications and documents and if you can make their lives easier in any way, they will probably appreciate it and you will give a better impression.

Good luck!

Just an FYI here all that EEA Family Permit requires in terms of supporting documents is quite simple and can be done with 3 items:

What supporting documents should my family members include with their application?
They should include all the documents they can to show that they qualify for an EEA family permit. If they do not, we may refuse their application.

As a guide they should include:

*a copy of your EEA national passport (endorsed by your embassy in the country of application); and
*proof of their relationship to you (for example, their birth certificates or marriage certificate); and
*a letter from you declaring that you are travelling with them or that they are joining you in the UK.

...

If they are applying as your unmarried partner, they should provide proof that they have been living with you in a relationship akin to marriage for over two years. It is unlikely that we would consider a shorter relationship as 'durable', in accordance with the EEA Regulations.

If you have lived in the UK for more than three months they must provide proof that you are a 'qualified person'. This could include:

*Worker: your contract of employment, wage slips, letter from your employer.
*Self-employed person: evidence of your National Insurance contributions, Construction Industry Scheme card (if applicable), lease on business premises, contracts, invoices, audited accounts, bank statements.
*Student: school/college/university letter confirming your enrolment and completion date of the course, bank statement or evidence of a grant or scholarship.
*Self-sufficient person: evidence that you have sufficient funds to maintain yourself and your family members for the period of your residence in the UK.

If you are a British citizen, they must provide proof that you are working or you are self-employed in another EEA State or were doing so before returning to the UK. In the case of a spouse or civil partner, they must provide proof that they are living with you in the EEA state or were living with you as a spouse or civil partner before you returned to the UK.

Maintenance & Accommodation requirements and the age 21 requirements that are found when applying for a UK Visa do not apply as EEA FP's are issued under EU law not UK law.

ETA link to the guidance.