Student Visas -vs- EEA/Swiss Nationals

I am an American going to school in England but my wife is Swiss (dual citizen, actually).

I know that I'm going to have to have a student visa to stay in school longer than 6 months...(I think) but my wife can either apply for a student dependent visa to work while we're there or she can enter as a Swiss National.  I know I can work in the UK as my wife is a Swiss National...but will that allow me to go to school for more than 6 moths?

Does anyone know the draw back or benefits to either of these?  Should she apply for a work (student dependent visa) or try the Swiss door?

Why doesn't she apply through the Swiss dorr, and you apply as her dependent.  Much easier application, free to make, and leads to ILR in 5 years.

Vicky

I'm certainly open to do that.  Can I go to school for more than 6 months doing it that way?  I've not been able to get much information on that.

If it's easier and free - then I'd rather do that. 

I'm certainly open to do that.  Can I go to school for more than 6 months doing it that way?  I've not been able to get much information on that.

If it's easier and free - then I'd rather do that. 

ooh, definitely easier. And yeah, you can study as long as you want, no problem. Entering as a family member of a Swiss national will also free you from the work restrictions placed on student visas (so you'll be able to work for more than 20 hours/wk during term, if you choose to work.)

I think the key for EEA applications is just proof of sufficient funds to survive.

Here are the relevant forms and links:

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/eeaeunationals

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/applicationforms/

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/11406/eea1.pdf

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/11406/eea2.pdf

You would likely not be eligible for home fee rates until you have lived in the EU/EEA for three years. See

http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/images/tuitionfees_ewn.pdf

http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/images/tuitionfees_scotland.pdf

The EEA / EU route defintely offers the most flexibility with the least stress.

Good luck with what you decide.....

The best bet is to look at www.ukvisas.gov.uk which has info for those applying outside of the UK.

If you'd like any assistance with the application, you might be best off posting questions in the immigration boards, or you can just PM me.

Vicky

OMG!  This is amazing!  I had no idea.  Thank you guys so much.  You just made my day.

I'm going to look more into this an will probably take this option.  Thanks, Vicky - I may take you up on the PM as I go along.
This frees me up from so much.  My course of study is a MFA in acting.  Under the Student Visa I'm not allowed to work as an entertainer and I have to leave after my studies are complete....with this I can do ANY job (which will be great for my resume) and stay as long as I want after school.

This is great!  I was really disappointed when I found out I couldn't take a summer job as an actor.  (that's just what we do in the summers)

Who knew my wife being Swiss was going to help so much? 

OMG!  This is amazing!  I had no idea.  Thank you guys so much.  You just made my day.

Who knew my wife being Swiss was going to help so much? 

Hurrah!  I love it when visa questions have happy endings.

Just a shot in the dark here....

is there a website like this for Swiss living in the UK?

Nevermind....I found one for Swiss People in General -

For those others who may be interested:
www.englishforum.ch

(sorry, I know this probably belongs somewhere else )

well, it looks like it's too late to begin this process for now.  We have too many documents that need processing to be complete before we leave.

Oh, and the website www.englishforum.ch  is for people living in/moving to Switzerland.  I tried posting a question there and they were very rude and completely deleted my post because I'm not planning to move to Switzerland.

I must say, this forum has been so nice and polite - even when one makes a mistake and posts in the wrong place...

Thanks for your help and support in this thread.  Maybe we can change our status for my second year or something.

I don't know why you can't apply from within the UK, providing your Swiss [corrected spelling, am horrible typist] wife secures a place / job / proof of funds to live for an EEA application for you from within the UK?

Isn't this possible? Or am I wrong?

I don't know why you can't apply from within the UK, providing your Swiis wife secures a place / job / proof of funds to live for an EEA application for you from within the UK?

Isn't this possible? Or am I wrong?

You know....you're right.  I'm 99% sure that it is possible to do the EEA2 from within the UK while on another visa- can't believe I didn't think of that! 

west_0515 - It's definitely good to get confirmation of that fact from a professional as I'm not 100% sure, but if you need to come over on a student visa you should be able to still take advantage of the EEA route when you're ready.

I think the key for EEA applications is just proof of sufficient funds to survive.

Here are the relevant forms and links:

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/eeaeunationals

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/applicationforms/

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/11406/eea1.pdf

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/11406/eea2.pdf

You would likely not be eligible for home fee rates until you have lived in the EU/EEA for three years. See

http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/images/tuitionfees_ewn.pdf

http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/images/tuitionfees_scotland.pdf

The EEA / EU route defintely offers the most flexibility with the least stress.

Good luck with what you decide.....

I think the links above will provide what you need. Perhaps someone else can confirm this for sure?

That's fantastic.  Thanks, guys...sooooo much.  I feel a lot better now.
Even though I'll have to spend all the money for a visa and go through that - it's nice to know that we can possibly change it later and take advantage of the benefits of being Swiss national.

Thanks again!

I'm going to look more into it over the next couple months and as I get more solid info I'll post it here for the next person(s) who have this problem.