Non-EU Spouse Visa for the UK

[Allie]

I'm a British citizen married to a Mexican and we would like to move to Spain in the near future. He will only have been in the UK for a few months when making the move. Will he be able to work in Spain straight away? What is the best way to process the paperwork - which visa will he need to apply for, etc?

[John]

An application needs to be made to the Spanish Consulate in London for a Spanish-issued EEA Family Permit. There will be no application fee ... in accordance with EU regulations.

Armed with an EEA Family Permit in his passport your husband will be able to exercise the same Treaty Rights as you, including the right to be employed or self-employed.

When the two of you get to Spain, in what way will you be intending to exercise your EU Treaty Rights? Work? Study? What?

[Allie]

I'll be working out there. I'm trying to find a job before I go but if not I will look when I'm out there. I have already enquired and there seems to be quite a lot of work in my field.

[John]

Allie, that is good, you will clearly be exercising your EU Treaty Rights in Spain.

Your Mexican husband should hopefully not encounter a problem getting his EEA Family Permit at the Spanish Consulate in London. The people working there in the visa department ... at least when they are dealing with Schengen visa applications for visitors .... well let's just say their reputation precedes them and they are said to be not the most polite people living on this planet Earth! Hopefully your experience will not be too unpleasant.