EEA2 and proof of dependency

[ollie56]

Good Morning,

I am an European (French citizen) and I have been living in the U.K for more than 10 years. This is where I met my wife, from Cameroon, which I married.

We make her children come to the UK about a year ago now and we send all the documentation required together with the form EEA2 when their visas were due for renewal.

We provided original documentation to prove that they are depending on me and my wife including the proof that they are at school, are registered with a GP, that we are both working...

We received a letter recently asking them to provide further evidence that they are living under the same roof than us.

They are only 17 and 14 years old and I can't think of anything else I can add to prove that they are living with us, the problem being that they don't have any bank account or do not claim any child benefit.

We are thinking therefore to use a solicitor to help us and I believe that swearing a oath in front of witness(es) should be sufficient.

Could you confirm if it is a valid option or if there is any other way to prove that they are living with us (photos, medical appointments...)


Thank you

[sakura]

Do you have any school letters, letters from the GP, council letters (I believe you need to declare how many people live in the house??)?

Also, if you have settled status in the UK, why not apply under the UK immigration route for a dependent visa? What visa is your wife currently on?

[ollie56]

Thanks for your advices. We send already the medical cards proving they are registered at a GP as well as letters from school with their adress.
My wife have a 5 years visa as the spouse of an European exercing the treaty rights in the UK

[sakura]

Thanks for your advices. We send already the medical cards proving they are registered at a GP as well as letters from school with their adress.
My wife have a 5 years visa as the spouse of an European exercing the treaty rights in the UK

Then I'm not sure what else can be sent. Maybe you can ask the school or GP to write an official letter for you, if you haven't already got one. Or try opening a bank account for them.

As for the visa - I asked because your wife could have applied for the UK spouse visa, meaning she would obtain indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in two years, rather than (permanent residency) in five years with the residence card.

[John]

the problem being that they don't have any bank account or do not claim any child benefit.

Any reason why you are not claiming Child Benefit for them? Or, for that matter, Tax Credits?

[ollie56]

Thanks for your question. Quite frankly, there is no particular reason for claiming child benefit, we are both working and are able to provide for the children.
As foreigners, we do not know very well how the system work and we are anyway very reluctant to abuse the system.

[John]

You are certainly entitled to claim. Child Benefit is not means-tested in any way, so the ability to claim is not related in any way to income.

Tax Credits? They can vary, dependent upon income, but unless the total family income nicely exceeds £50000 per year, there is undoubtedly an entitlement to claim.

Details of how to claim both benefits on the www.hmrc.gov.uk website.