EEA Residence Card

If you have recently arrived in the UK and hope to settle down, it makes sense to secure your position by holding a document which states when you arrived.

Likewise, if you are worried about the outcome of the Brexit negotiations and want a document that states you are a resident of the UK, the EEA Residence Card is ideal.

The card lasts for five years, after which time it is expected that applicants will apply for EEA Permanent Residence.

No, the EEA Residence Card refers to EEA immigration law. A visa, on the other hand, is for people who are subject to UK immigration law, such as those from outside the EEA.

You may apply for the card from inside the UK, but you do not need it in order to be able to visit, live or work in the UK. If you are from outside the EEA and do not meet the requirements of the EEA Permanent Residence in the UK, you may need to apply for another UK visa.

There is currently no change to the law for EEA residents hoping to live and work in the UK. Until the rights of  EU residents living in the UK have been guaranteed, some people are choosing to apply for their Residence or Permanent Residence Card.

The Home Office has not stated that this is necessary, but they have stepped up their efforts to streamline the process through the online system and the European Passport Return Service. There has been increased demand for EEA PR and Residence Cards, which suggests some people are applying for these early, in anticipation of them becoming mandatory.

At this stage, it is not mandatory to apply for a Residence Card, but we can help you with your application if you choose to do so.

Applications such as this one can seem very daunting and time-consuming; those considering applying for Residence Cards or PR Cards are often unsure of whether they are mandatory, whether they qualify or what they can be used for.

At IAS we can answer any questions you have, simplifying the EEA Residence Card application process for you, should you decide to apply.

One of our experienced immigration lawyers will:

• Meet with/contact you within a day of first-contact
• Walk you through your next steps and requirements
• Ensure you are eligible for the Residence Card
• Perform a full document check to ensure that you have sufficient evidence for your application
• Consult with you in person, via phone or Skype at a suitable time
• Prepare a Letter of Representation which states your case details and its merits in support of your application. This letter also references relevant UK immigration laws, regulations and cases to support your application
• Liaise with the Home Office for the duration of your application
• Complete your application form in full to the highest standard.

Contact us by calling 0333 363 8577 or making an enquiry online to discuss your application for an EEA Residence Card with one of our immigration lawyers.