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visa fee for family members or no fee
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:52 am
by Punjab
Guys,
I will like to ask a question. Let's say I have British citizenship and the British passport. Now if my parents and brother wish to visit me for 2-3 weeks will they be free from visa fee restrictions for UK and Schengen visa fee for being the family member of an EU/EEA national? Will they have to fill family permit or a tourist visa?
Now if they have to pay for their visa fee then how long will the visa be valid for? I heard that in old times UK used to issue a multi visa for 10 yrs for the family members of British citizens?
Many Thanks for your answers in advance.
Re: visa fee for family members or no fee
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:58 am
by bobobo
they will have to apply for tourist visa to come and visit you, ideally they ssould get the visa for 6 months, unless they specifically apply for 10 years. If they need to travel to Europe then they will need to apply for Schengen Visa(s) as well.
Punjab wrote:Guys,
I will like to ask a question. Let's say I have British citizenship and the British passport. Now if my parents and brother wish to visit me for 2-3 weeks will they be free from visa fee restrictions for UK and Schengen visa fee for being the family member of an EU/EEA national? Will they have to fill family permit or a tourist visa?
Now if they have to pay for their visa fee then how long will the visa be valid for? I heard that in old times UK used to issue a multi visa for 10 yrs for the family members of British citizens?
Many Thanks for your answers in advance.
Re: visa fee for family members or no fee
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:59 am
by Lucapooka
Punjab wrote:Let's say I have British citizenship and the British passport. Now if my parents and brother wish to visit me for 2-3 weeks will they be free from visa fee restrictions for UK and Schengen visa fee for being the family member of an EU/EEA national? .
No. They apply and pay for visit visas under UK immigration rules
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:26 am
by Punjab
guys thanks for your reply and I am highly disappointed ;-( they should be granted a free visa as a family member of eu/eea
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:36 pm
by Greenie
Punjab wrote:guys thanks for your reply and I am highly disappointed ;-( they should be granted a free visa as a family member of eu/eea
why? the fact that they want to vist you for a holiday is nothing to do with your right of free movement as an EU citizen
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:46 pm
by Punjab
world is not fair
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:52 pm
by Greenie
that's true but your parents having to pay £78 for a visa to visit you is hardly the height of the unfairness now is it.
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:38 pm
by fysicus
If you apply for a UK visa for the first time, it will be extremely exceptional if they would grant for more than the standard six months. Only when you have built up an immigration history of consistently complying with all visa requirements, you may become eligible for a longer duration visa.
Although parents and brothers are of course considered family members by most people, to benefit from Directive 2004/38 (e.g. Schengenvisa free of charge) they also need to satisfy dependency requirements.
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:49 pm
by Punjab
dear All
Many thanks for your replies.