EEA Residence Cards

Who can apply for EEA Residence card?

An EEA residence card is issued to the family members of EEA nationals who exercise their treaty rights in one of the following ways:

  1. Working in the UK on PAYE basis
  2. Working as self-employed person
  3. Being self-sufficient and maintaining comprehensive sickness insurance
  4. Studying in the UK and maintaining comprehensive sickness insurance

The applicant and his EEA family member need to provide documentary evidences of the genuineness of relationship, of the fact that the EEA national is genuinely exercising treaty rights and the original identity documents, in support of the application. Once approved, the EEA residence card is issued for a maximum of five years` time. EEA Residence card holders get full rights of working in the UK and can apply for permanent residence upon completing five years of residence in accordance with the EEA regulations provided their EEA national family member continues to exercise their treaty rights in the UK.

Family Member of An EEA National

Family member’ is defined in Regulation 7 as meaning:

  1. spouse / civil partner (excluding a person who is party to a marriage or civil partnership of convenience)
  2. children of the EEA national or of his/her spouse / civil partner who are under 21 years of age or are dependent. (This includes stepchildren or adopted children provided that the adoption is recognised by the U.K.)
  3. dependants, in the ascending line (i.e. parents, grandparents) of the EEA national or of his/her spouse / civil partner.

Note that slightly different rules apply where the EEA national is a student. In that case, after the initial three month period of residence, (i) the children of the EEA national student (or of his/her spouse or civil partner) must be dependent on the EEA national in order to be treated as family members, and (ii) his/her dependents in the ascending line (or those of his/her spouse or civil partner) are not to be treated as family members.

Extended family members

  1. Children above 21 years of age
  2. Siblings
  3. Cousins
  4. Aunts
  5. Uncles
  6. Unmarried partners

The difference in both of these categories is that the immediate family members have got right to reside in the UK on the basis of their EEA national`s exercising his / her treaty rights in the UK while the extended family member have to meet a more strict criteria of prior residence with the EEA national out of the UK, financial dependency and other requirements.

Prior legal residence in the UK is not a requirement of this application and as such any one residing in the UK is able to make an application to obtain residence card, provided he can provide all the necessary documentary evidences to establish the relationship and the fact that his EEA national family member continues to exercise his / her treaty rights in the UK.

It is important to note that even a small mistake / omission may result in refusal or rejection of the residence card application or dismissal of the appeal / judicial review claim, resulting in making it even more complex. It is therefore strongly advised to take professional representation and leave this matter in our capable hands.

Why You Should Contact International Immigration Regarding This Case?

Ms Maeda Mobayyen, Principal Solicitor at International Immigration, is an expert Immigration Solicitor in London who has been dealing with UK Immigration Laws.

Whether you are a small to medium sized business in need of skilled workers in your UK office, or a global corporation that need to transfer staff from one country to another, our specialist team of immigration solicitors can help.

We have the benefit of regulation with the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).


Our solicitors combine an in-depth knowledge of the law and its practical application to your case, with a firm belief in your right to legal assistance and to committed representation throughout your matter. Our solicitors place service to the public above all else and are able to advise on the best possible course of funding in the event you do not qualify for legal aid. Our rates are competitive and we can also explore the opportunity to fund your case on a fixed fee basis.

Our Immigration Solicitors will provide the best possible Immigration advice / consultation under direct supervision of Maeda Mobayyen. 

  1. After consultation, if you wish us to start preparing your case, you can expect the followings from our us:
  2. Our immigration solicitors will discuss the details about your immigration case, assess and advise you on the law, procedure and other requirements for the process.
  3. Our immigration solicitors will liaise with the immigration officer for expeditious decision on the application;
  4. Our immigration solicitors shall keep you updated on the progress of your immigration matters.
  5. Our immigration solicitors will advise you about the implications of the Home Office decision on your application.
  6. Our immigration solicitors will advise you about the documentary evidence to be submitted in support of your application for retaining your right of residence;


    Our immigration solicitors are specialist immigration solicitors who are able to handle all types of immigration work including

    1. Immigration bail applications 
    2. Immigration Appeals
    3. Judicial Reviews
    4. Indefinite Leave to remain applications, 
    5. further leave to remain applications,
    6. EEA applications 
    7. Settled and Pre-settled applications 
    8. entry clearance applications, 
  7. Our immigration solicitors are some of the best solicitors in London.
  8. Our immigration solicitors will advise you about the documentary evidence to be submitted in support of your application for retaining your right of residence;
  9. In International Immigration we have been teamed up with the some of the best immigration barristers in and outside London who are specialist in immigration matters.
  10. We will help you pay the spouse visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for the spouse visa application;

You can reach International Immigration on 07587691074 or info@internationalimmigration.co.uk

We Will Handle Your Case As If Its Our Own!