What is written on EEA4 PR?

[J'enaimarre]

Hello everyone!

I have appied for my EEA3 and EEA4 back in June, and got quite a positive reply over the phone. Apparently both our applications will be done in 2 or 3 weeks, which is great.

So I decided to prepare for Christmas... and searched whether my husband needed a visa to go to France (I am a French national). The French embassy replied me saying that he does not need one, but that his PR MUST have the mention "Family member of an EEA National".
Will this be written on the PR sticker?

And just in case the lady talked rubbish and that we have to request our passport back for our holidays, will we receive a PR card instead of a sticker in the passport?

Thank you!

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

No, it does not state family member of an EU citizen. The residence card does, the permanent residence card doesn't.

[J'enaimarre]

Hi and thank you very much for your help. My husband's EEA2 will still be valid until May 2014, is it ok to use it for travelling without a visa, even though he will receive his EEA4 soon?

Thanks!

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

A permanent residence card is just as valid as a residence card. The directive did not specify a wording for the former. There is little consistency in the format used in member states. Hence there may be confusion.

One can always enter under article 5.4 of the directive if one can demonstrate entitlement. Carriers may cause problems.

[J'enaimarre]

Hi EUSmile,

Sorry if that sounds a bit thick, but if my husband uses his EEA2 residence card for going to France for Christmas then it should be fine?

Thanks!

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

if my husband uses his EEA2 residence card for going to France for Christmas then it should be fine?

Thanks!

Yes, should be.

[J'enaimarre]

Hello everyone,

Just an update on our applications. Both my husband and I have received our EEA4 and 3 today.

Application sent: Mid-June 2013
Received: 2 days later
COA: 1 week after sending application
Received: 09/10/13

Documents included:
My passport (French)
husband's passport (Bangladeshi)
our French livret de famille (proof of marriage transcribed by French consulate in Dhaka)
Bangladeshi marriage certificate
My 5 P60
husband's 5 P60
Mortgage letter with our two names
Bank statement covering 5 years (one copy for each year)
2 Emails showing I was looking for work and replies from employers, highlighting the dates
2 pics of me and husband

and a copy of each original document.


However my husband has had his EEA2 "cancelled", so we cannot use the "Spouse of EEA National" sticker any longer. Guess we'll have to have a trip at the French embassy again for visa!

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

See the ohter place you posted. A visa is not required, you may have some problems with airlines, but you can demonstrate that you are a family member.

[J'enaimarre]

Just called TLS, and the person I spoke to told me that my husband does need a visa to travel to France, as it is not written that he is the spouse of an EEA National.

I don't want to risk not being able to enter the Eurostar. We already faced enough problems even with my husband's Schengen visa, when it was still valid.

[lake1]

Just called TLS, and the person I spoke to told me that my husband does need a visa to travel to France, as it is not written that he is the spouse of an EEA National.

I don't want to risk not being able to enter the Eurostar. We already faced enough problems even with my husband's Schengen visa, when it was still valid.

I must say France has been the best country I have dealt with Visa wise.

I have no less than 2 times traveled via France without a visa, the last time they didnt even check my passport on entry but checked it on exit without any question asked, the problem you might have will be because you are a French national but as you are living in the UK you should be covered.

The French immigration / boarder guards seems to be quite knowledgeable and laid back so I dont see you having problem. Remember to print any document from the French website stating your spouse does not need a visa if there is any on their site and take along your marriage certificate too.

I have traveled with my PR via France without any problem and by the way my RC wasnt cancelled when I got my PR but it was in another passport - I submitted my old passport for my PR application too - I guess your husband's RC was in the same passport as the PR hence why it was cancelled.

[sheraz7]

Even two EU countries very clearly showing the samples of permanent residence card as well for visa free travel as under:

http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/london/visas/d ... -need-FAM/

http://storbritannien.um.dk/en/travel-a ... nationals/

[J'enaimarre]

Thanks for your help guys. Actually i did not find anything on the French embassy website showing that only PR is ok.
I have also received an email from TLS on behalf of the embassy confirming what i was told on the phone. I have nothing to back up my husband and moreover the embassy keeps referring me to TLS.
Im really fed up with this as we leave quite far away from London. If someone finds a useful link please let me know.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Thanks for your help guys. Actually i did not find anything on the French embassy website showing that only PR is ok.
I have also received an email from TLS on behalf of the embassy confirming what i was told on the phone. I have nothing to back up my husband and moreover the embassy keeps referring me to TLS.
Im really fed up with this as we leave quite far away from London. If someone finds a useful link please let me know.

If you phone TLS, they will default to a visa is required.

Article 10 and 20 cards can be used in lieu of visa. The format of the cards is not uniform across the EU. Therefore, there will be confusion at times.

If travelling by train, you may encounter French immigration prior to boarding. You can always enter under article 5.4 of directive 2004/38/ec.