Immigration: Tearing our family apart channel 5

I don't see why. The above is the EU's opening negotiating position and there are countries such as France, Spain and Malta who, from a lesser to greater extent, rely on us Brits who bring a lot of money but cost little or nothing. Malta would be especially badly hit and would likely look at its other alliance as a means of keeping the Brits.

The SS route has to remain open until 29th March 2019 and probably a lot longer than that.

so--the UK has to drop its kecks--bend down and take it--with a big smile.

It really is an interesting one to keep our eye on, I really don't like EU citizens having better rights than us in our own country.

Yep, punishment for historically being "bad Europeans" in their eyes and then to bail-out ... too much for the poor dears!

Yes.. how wicked of us... interfering with the German takeover in 1914 and 1939.

I feel the same Timmers, but if our own government makes it so difficult and costly to bring our bone fide spouses to live with us legally in UK, then it is inevitable that people will look better legal options are available to them. For me the Surinder route is the only viable option.

what i dont know about surinder singh--is--if you do bring your wife into the UK after living in a EU country for a time-------what happens if you decide to go and live out of the UK again for a while---which i understand is your intention. will you still be able to bring her back into the UK ?

Hi Bigmac
Well I am no expert of this subject, still carrying out my research. Markham and Chris will be better qualified to answer. However, it is my understanding that having established a life within a EU country, which can take somewhere between 3 months to a year, depending on the country, you are entitled to a residence card, for your non EU spouse also. I believe this is valid for 5 years renewable. Once you have this, you have a right to move to and live in UK, again with a 5 year renewable residence card. Not sure exactly what benefits, health cover etc. that the foreign wife is entitled to, but again I believe that you should have access to the NHS system. As I understand it, there are some restrictions on how long you can be out of country and keep the residency, but it is more flexible than the FLR route and certainly a lot easier and costs almost nothing. No exorbitant visa charges, no TB tests, no English tests etc etc. All to be verified, so don't take my word on anything yet.

You and your wife are can apply for Residency as soon as you arrive, assuming you have all the documentary requirement. In practice, you won't be able to do that for about a month or so. It will take you between 3 months and a year to amass sufficient documentary evidence that your 'centre of life' is in that EU country. Then you can apply for a Family Permit to take your spouse to the UK where she can apply for a Residency Permit. Caveat: As you have spent much of your life outside the UK, you may not be entitled to NHS medical treatment.