Wife (Venezuelan)has Family Visa, Husband & Baby are Bri

[malbajones]

Hi there,

I'm having trouble finding out some straight answers, and was wondering if anyone has already been through something similar and can help?

My wife is from Venezuela and is living here in the UK with our baby son and myself on a Family Visa. The visa is due to run out in 4 years - what can she do to stay?

I've heard that she may have to take a test - but what if she fails? We have recently had a baby here in the UK, does this effect her status?

Thank you for any help, or links to answers!

[Wanderer]

Can u clarify the visa she is one? Sounds like it maybe a EEA FP, ae you a BC/ILR holder?

[malbajones]

Hi there,

Thanks for the reply. My wife has a Family Visa for the UK, 5 years, not sure if it's a special type - sorry don't know what those codes mean!

[Wanderer]

Hi there,

Thanks for the reply. My wife has a Family Visa for the UK, 5 years, not sure if it's a special type - sorry don't know what those codes mean!

Are you British? Or from another EU state?

If the latter must be an EEA Family Permit, I think after it 'expires' ur wife automatically has residency, no need for a sticker.

But if ur British born and bred, never lived in another EU state, or don't have another EU (Irish?) ancestry then it can't be an EEA FP.....

[malbajones]

Hi there,

I'm British, have lived in Spain for 5 years, but in full time work in the UK now, living here permanently.

[Casa]

Can you post the codes? The issue and expiry dates?..and old Wanderer and me will have a look at it between us.

[malbajones]

Hello again.

On my wife's Visa it says:

Type of Document
Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National

Valid Until 19 OCT 12

...actually yes, there is a code: EEA FP

[yankeegirl]

As Wanderer said, she will automatically become a permanent resident after 5 years residence. However, if she chooses ( and probably a good idea just to have the bit of proof) she can submit an application for Permanent Residence using form EEA4 from the UKBA website. It isn't mandatory to do so, but does make day to day life (proving entitlement to work etc) a bit easier if the sticker confirming her status is in the passport.

Since you are a British citizen, she will be eligible to apply for British citizenship as soon as she is a permanent resident. She does not need to take the Life in the UK test before permanent residence, but will need to take and pass it for naturalization if she chooses to apply for citizenship.

Having a baby doesn't have an effect on her status. But congrats on the new arrival!

[malbajones]

Hi there - thank you both for all the info, that's exactly what I needed to know! And thank you for the congrats!... 9 weeks old, and can't wait to hear which language his first word will be... or a gurgle somewhere between spanish and english