New visa to allow UK nationals bring non-EEA family to Ireland

'A Department of Justice statement said UK citizens would continue to enjoy existing arrangements under the Common Travel Area including the freedom to live and work in the State after the transition period following the UK’s exit from the EU ends later this month.' Erin go bragh. Hopefully an option for some impacted by the horrible UK spousal and ADR visa rules.

Digging into this there is an MIR of about 20k euros attached to this, plus a waiting time of up to 6 months, so it's not as good as the Irish Times article makes it sound. However it may be particularly useful for those seeking to sponsor elderly dependent relatives (for example) which is subject to a 'ban masquerading as a rule' in the UK, albeit attached to a minimum income requirement with restrictive conditions.

Surinder Singh for Newbies - 2015 extended edition


Author : David B,

The extended 'Surinder Singh for newbies' is now available for 2015, and it looks great. David has excelled himself once again.

PDF format, on Scribd : 
http://www.scribd.com/doc/231192464/Surinder-Singh-for-Newbies

EPUB format (good for certain mobile browsers), on Scribd :
http://www.scribd.com/doc/238175630/Surinder-Singh-for-Newbies-Exte-David-B

Word format, on Scribd :
http://www.scribd.com/doc/238175692/Surinder-Singh-for-Newbies-Extended-Edition-IRELAND-2014

PDF format, on Hashdoc (for those in jurisdictions which block Scribd, or for people who just prefer not to use Scribd) *** NEW 28/Aug/2015!!!**** :
https://www.hashdoc.com/documents/77893/surinder-singh-for-newbies-pdf

Now including (2014) :

1.       New front cover graphic!
2.       Print out itineraries/hotel accommodation
3.       Visa is free
4.       Cover letter incorporating the old and the new one
5.       Relevant parts of the Directive
6.       If quizzed on entry what to say.
7.       Warning ‘Do not mention ‘Surinder Singh’ on entry
8.       Don’t be alarmed at number of days stamped in passport
9.       Factor in Prices, Health Care, and Transport
10.   New links to Self-Employment
11.   Non EU working without stamp 4
12.   New link for PPS numbers
13.   Opening Bank Accounts /Changes
14.   Submit EU1 earliest opportunity and include cover letter for missing docs.
15.   Centre of Life issues
16.   Family Permit Apps and inclusion of ‘Teleperformance’
17.   Map with locations and distances and times to travel to Dublin
18.   PRTB explained in Family Permit Docs section.
19.   Section 5 on EEA2 app relating to Singh and tick box if you have FP
20.   Warning about planning and lack of planning
21.   Additional useful sites

And for 2015  :

1.      Introduction ‘Who Is Surinder Singh’?
2.      Cain Ruling, with regards to unmarried durable relationships.
3.      Marriage information site regarding getting married in Ireland.
4.      Rewrite and change of fonts to make the guide easier to read.
5.      Info on 30 day limit to submit all documents for C visa.
6.      Travel any time within the validity period of C visa.
7.      Emphasis on irrelevance what is stamped in passports on entry (90 days)
8.      Stress importance of choosing location regarding homes and jobs.
9.      Hidden costs e.g. TV licence, dentistry etc. and how expensive.
10.  When choosing schools, make sure they are not oversubscribed, other costs include school uniforms & books etc.
11.  Extra house rental sites added.
12.  Article 23 from Directive confirming right to work for non EU.
13.  Warnings on costs of living.
14.  Overview of PPSN with added sites for tax & PPSN information.
15.  Sending in EU1 application before resuming work.
16.  Explanatory Leaflet EU1 link.
17.  Check Bank charges with link to comparison websites detailing charges.
18.  Explanation of PRTB.
19.  Suggestions for integration into your local community for COL.
20.  New EEA(FAM) RC application form + new fee and fee for biometrics.
21.  Emphasis on patience will be needed throughout your stay in your host country.
22.  To offset printing and photocopying costs suggest buying a cheap 3 in 1 printer.
23.  Change of disclaimer description to now include people need to consult a lawyer or immigration specialist if needing advice.
24.  New front page cover with new wording and description.
25.  New graphic and vector art to compliment the wording and new site inclusions.
26.  Explanation of abbreviations e.g. FP, COL, RC etc.

It's important to highlight that this is a guide, not a manual, as things change all the time and the nature of these things means that the sphere of knowledge is always growing.


This route is not easy - and preparation is key. But the rewards are great.


EEA visa - EU free movement - A great Facebook support group for people going through the route :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/650212281695959/

A video on one family's experience of the route :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1-v0cV2Y8
 

Country-specific guides by Sonel (Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Poland) :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/surinder-singh-country-specific-guide.html
https://www.scribd.com/doc/239558037/Surinder-Singh-country-specific-guide


Surinder Singh stories (lots of links to various people's personal experiences at the bottom of the post) :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/another-experience-of-surinder-singh.html


Malta in a nutshell by David and Dee :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/malta-in-nutshell-author-david-and-dee.html


Surinder Singh in the Netherlands by Amanda :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/surinder-singh-in-netherlands-by-amanda.html

 

What is the Surinder Singh route and how does it work? Surinder Singh archive by Wayne :
http://surinder-singh-route.info/


More Surinder Singh links :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/surinder%20singh

Good luck.

 

http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/id-like-to-teach-world-to-singh.html

‘Using the Surinder Singh Route’ Research Project

Middlesex University's Research Project on the Surinder Singh route

A research team at Middlesex University is aiming to conduct a research project on the use of the Surinder Singh (SS) route by UK citizens in order to reunite with their family members.

By way of the research they would like to gain a better understanding of both the practical and legal aspects of the process, especially about people’s decision to use or not to use this route, the legal and practical difficulties they experience in the course of the process and what strategies they use to overcome such difficulties. This is especially relevant, as not much attention has been paid in either the media or academic literature to the difficulties experienced before and during the use of the SS route.

This project aims to not only add to the existing academic knowledge on family migration but also contribute to the knowledge base on which lawyers, advice services and eventually the European Commission could draw. As the SS route is a right existing under EU law, this research would support those trying to effectively exercise their right by drawing attention to the administrative obstacles and processes that the UK Government requests people to comply with.

Therefore to know more about the SS route, the researchers would like to undertake Skype interviews with people who:

•     Are either contemplating the use of the SS route; or
•      Have decided not to use the SS route; or
•     Are currently using the SS route; or
•     Have already completed the SS route and remained in the adopted country or returned to the UK.

The interviews would last approximately 60 minutes and will be recorded. Full anonymity applies to the data gained through the interviews. The participants can fully or partially withdraw from the research at any time, if they wish to do so.

The research project has received the ethical approval of Middlesex University.

Members of the research team are:

·         Dr Helena Wray (H.Wray@mdx.ac.uk), lead researcher, her academic profile can be accessed here: http://www.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/staff-directory/wray-helena;

·         Professor Eleonore Kofman (E.Kofman@mdx.ac.uk), her academic profile can be accessed here: http://www.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/staff-directory/kofman-eleonore; and

·         Agnes Agoston (A.Agoston@mdx.ac.uk), research assistant of the project, PhD student at Middlesex University.

The research is not associated in any way with the Home Office.

If you would like to participate in the research, please contact Agnes Agoston or any of the team members who will be happy to discuss any queries you may have related to the research.

EU Ruling to impact on European Free Movement and the right to residence?

Source : BBC News with Analysis by Europe correspondent Chris Morris
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30002138
The ruling

Today the European Court of Justice gave its ruling on a case that could have a wide ranging impact on European Free Movement. 

"The European Court of Justice has said member states are within their rights to refuse to give financial help to unemployed EU citizens who move to that country just to claim benefits".

The most concerning part of the ruling could be the part relating to the right of residency.
"The Court also said Ms Dano and her son could not claim a right of residence in Germany because they do not have sufficient resources to support themselves"

It could pave the way for even more restrictions to be announced before the end of the year.
"The BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith said the government - which has often been at odds with the European Court of Justice in the past - was hailing the ruling as evidence the UK and Germany were on the "same page" when it came to benefit abuses and could pave the way for further restrictions in the coming months."

"The prime minister has said he wants to go further and will set out his plans in a speech before the end of the year, amid pressure from Conservative backbenchers to act."

Since posting this yesterday there are now further sources and links to articles now that the press, legal community and the spin doctors have read the ruling:-

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/11/germany-deny-benefits-welfare-jobless-eu-migrants
http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/nov/11/european-court-benefits-ruling-bolsters-eu-freedom-movement

http://eulawanalysis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/benefit-tourism-by-eu-citizens-cjeu.html

http://openeuropeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/what-are-implications-of-todays-ecj.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/11224615/EU-benefit-tourists-face-being-sent-home-after-landmark-court-ruling.html

http://www.ein.org.uk/news/european-court-justice-rules-states-can-exclude-benefit-tourists-claiming-social-assistance

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-court-moves-against-benefits-tourism-in-landmark-ruling-9853673.html

Update 20 Nov 2014

It has now been a week since this came out and has been widely hyped and spun by the press in the anti-immigration climate that has developed in the run up to the Rochester by-election that happens today.

So how much of this has been hyped or distorted by the press, spin doctors and politicians? 

Our learned friends at the freemovement blog have been spending a lot of time looking at the facts, analysing the possible implications and cutting through the media spin and hype to bring us an objective view of what if any impact this will have.
http://www.freemovement.org.uk/dano-and-the-exclusion-of-inactive-eu-citizens-from-certain-non-contributory-social-benefits/#more-18373

A big thank you to them for making this widely available to everyone.

EuLawAnalysis blog has also done an article about the historical context of the judgement.
http://eulawanalysis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/free-movement-and-social-benefits-for.html

Free movement - references to some key court rulings

Here is a summary of some useful case law and other official documentation which could prove useful to those interested in exercising free movement rights.   Reliance on case law should not be blind as it is not necessarily all that is needed to establish rights.  It may not be appropriate for your situation and showing off how much more you know than the caseworker by OD’ing on case law references is likely to piss them off.  Pride is a strange thing! 

Furthermore, Home Office is notoriously slow in updating UK regulations to reflect recent court decisions it is not happy with.  Sadly, it is also not unknown for the Home Office to adopt the most restrictive interpretation possible, leaving it to another case years down the line, to shed clarity or hold the department accountable. 

There are sometimes inconsistencies between judgments where the more recent judgment could ‘trump’ an earlier one, or provide clarification. 

The key message is based on my understanding.  Links are provided so readers can form their own opinions and as always, when in any doubt, you are strongly advised to seek specialist immigration advice.  

Please send any suggestions and corrections (much welcomed) to BritCits@gmail.com