I get the impression that an international citizen Spouse to a UK citizen whom has obtained UK Family Member Visa and resides together in the UK can immediately apply for UK residence card (UK residence for 5 years is not a requirement). https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...aDjplJIiozXFycQ&bvm=bv.77161500,d.ZGU&cad=rja https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-uk-residence-card/overview Once your non-eea national spouse has both UK Family visa and UK residence card, then are they free to travel in the EEA area without having to apply for a EEA Schengan Visa? They are the entitled to the same freedom of movement as a UK citizen in the EU? So having a residence card cover the immediate period between your spouse being granted Family Visa and eventually being entitled to apply for UK citizenship after 5 years? Is this the case????
It also seems that a UK Residence permit obtained in the UK has a greater status than a EEA Family permit? https://www.gov.uk/family-permit
I can vouch, through personal experience that a Non-EEA spouse of an EEA national cannot enter an EEA country without the EEA spouse being present. The permanent Residence card allows the Holder(Non EEA) to unlimited entry into the UK on her/his own. But extended absence from the UK of 2 years invalidate the Residence, thus having to restart the Visa process from scratch...
It seems, sadly that the EEA UK residence card is not honored by all EEA countries. Spain refuses to acknowledge the UK issued residence card, but does accept cards issued from other Schengen countries. I don't blame spain for doing so, as the UK only accepts UK issued cards and no others.
Just discovered this about UK residence card and Spain visa requirement Under Directive 2004/38/EC and according to Real Decreto 240/2007, 16 February, family members of an EU/EEA national in possession of a valid UK Residence Card specifying its condition as a family member do not require a visa to enter Spain when travelling with the EU/EEA National or joining him/her in Spain. Otherwise, a visa will be still required (Real Decreto 1161/2009, 10th July 2009). Please note, that the UK Residence Permit must state literally that the holder is a family member of an EU/EEA National. If not, a visa is required. http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/LONDRES/en/Consulado/Pages/CheckPassport.aspx
Example UK residence card found on the internet with the critical wording, so might be used in lieu of schengen visa (Check with specific embassies)
My wife's UK Spouse visa states "Spouse/CP of (my name)" instead of "Family member of an EEA national". Does this also qualify for Schengen visa exemption?
