Non-Eu guy marriage to EU girl and after......

[YQBKHAN]

Hello every body ,I am very new to this board and this is my first posting (question) I have been in the Uk for over 2 years have a 5 years work permit valid untill 2011, (I came here in 2006 and am still working at the same place)me and my slovak girlfriend wish to marry here in the Uk ,I found out that we need COA from home office...... now the thing is that we have been seeing each other for about 18 months, we both work different hours, though we manage to meet 4 or 5 times a week. We have just started to live together. We have been in touch on the phone almost every day since we have met. We do not have any joint bank accounts, nor bills ( phone,gas, electricity) becasue I am given a flat from my job which is a apart of my package, thus I do not pay for any thing. I have my bank letters and other letters that proves I am living at the address but nothing else.
she works as well and she also gets only her bank statements trough this address, nothing else. we are planing to apply for COA in a week's time how are our chances? and whether if I wish to change my emplyer will I be required to transfer my work permit to the new employer as it the general rule? also I travelled with her to Slovakia last month and it was a huge fuss so many pappers required to get a visit visa.. will our marriage make travel easy for me?
I appologise if my questions look to big but as I said it the first time and I am quite confused about all this.
Regards

[John]

we are planing to apply for COA in a week's time how are our chances?

I think you are imagining a requirement that is not actually there. Quite simply nothing in UK, or EU, law insists on a couple living together before marriage.

Just go ahead and apply for the CoA.

I wish to change my emplyer will I be required to transfer my work permit to the new employer as it the general rule?

After the marriage has happened you can apply on form EEA2 for a Residence Card, using EU regulations. That will permit you to work for anyone, without requiring a Work Permit. So free choice as to who you work for, and the prospective employer will not be required to get a Work Permit to employ you.

I travelled with her to Slovakia last month and it was a huge fuss so many pappers required to get a visit visa.. will our marriage make travel easy for me?

You don't give your nationality and it would be useful to know that. If you will still need a Schengen visa to enter Slovakia, or any other Schengen country, then yes it will be easier, and indeed free to get that visa, given that you will be within the definition of "family member of EU citizen".

[thsths]

she works as well and she also gets only her bank statements trough this address, nothing else. we are planing to apply for COA in a week's time how are our chances?

If you do not get the CoA, you can always get married somewhere else.

will our marriage make travel easy for me?

Yes, it does. You can switch to a residence card under European law (caveat: restarts your clock to PR). That gives you more freedom in the UK, and it should make it easier to get a Schengen visa, too.

Tom