Immigration to the UK through the Surinder Singh Judgement

Introduction

Recent UK immigration changes have now made it extremely difficult for the spouses, partners, children and other family members of British citizens to move to the UK.

However, one often overlooked route to legally move to the UK is through what is widely referred to as the “Judgement in the Surinder Singh case”.

This route is entirely legal and backed up by EEA regulations and judgements. It cannot be changed at will by the UK government. Little wonder, that the UK Border Agency do not provide much information on this route to the UK as it allows family members in effect to bypass UK immigration. 

 

The Legal Background

Surinder Singh was a British citizen who moved to Germany to work, under his rights as an EU citizen. His wife, an Indian citizen, wished to then move back to the UK with him under EU law – i.e. on the basis that Surinder Singh was already exercising his EU Treaty Rights in Germany. In a landmark court ruling in 1992, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) agreed with him and thereby opened up a whole new world of immigration possibilities.

The basic principle from the case is that if a British citizen is living in another EU member state then he / she is entitled to return to the UK under EU Free Movement Rights and his / her family members are also entitled to enter under the same Free Movement Rights.

In effect, by living in another EU member state the British citizen becomes “European” and has the same rights as say, a German citizen moving to the UK with a non EU family member.

In a further case, the ECJ reaffirmed the Surinder Singh judgement and also clearly stated that it made no difference if the British citizen moved to another EU member state solely to facilitate a Surinder Singh type return. As long as one follows the correct process, one’s motive is irrelevant and cannot be questioned by the UK government.

The most recent set of EEA Regulations (published by the UK government) give legal standing to the Surinder Singh judgement.

The regulations state expressly that if the qualifying conditions are met;

 

“these Regulations apply to a person who is the family member of a United Kingdom national as if the United Kingdom national were an EEA national.”

 

In order words, the British citizen is treated as an EEA national.

 

 

The Advantages

This route of entry allows the family member to bypass all the requirements imposed on family members of British citizens living in the UK.

To keep re-iterating the point – the family member is now treated as the family member of an EEA national.

So, the restrictions of UK immigration law simply do not apply. This means;

·         No requirement to meet the new financial maintenance criteria introduced in July 2012

 

·         No requirement to meet the English language requirement.

 

·         There is very little room for the UK Border Agency to question the legitimacy of relationships.

 

·         A wider definition of family members under EEA law than UK immigration (includes partners, children up to the age of 21 and other dependents such as parents)

 

·         No hefty immigration fees to be paid to the UK Border Agency

 

·         Faster processing times as required under EU law.

 

·         A much more secure legal framework to move to the UK rather than being subject to whimsical changes imposed by UK politicians.

 

·         EEA nationals and their family members are not subject to the “no recourse to public funds” rule under UK immigration.

 

·         No requirement to have a UK employment offer.  

 

 

The Key Requirements

Step 1

The British citizen must move to another EU member state. This includes the 28 member states of the EU itself (not including the UK of course!) and the additional EEA members (Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland) and also Switzerland.

The full list is;

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

 

In order to qualify under Surinder Singh, the British citizen must then “exercise Treaty Rights” in that member state. This means being a worker  or self-employed. It does not include studying or retirement or being self-sufficient.

There is no requirement to earn a certain amount or even to work full-time. The requirement is to be a genuine worker so part-time, temporary work would suffice.

The ECJ in the Surinder Singh case stated a minimum period of 6 months is required to be exercising Treaty Rights in another EU member state. The regulations themselves do not specify a minimum period but 6 months is still seen as the general “rule of thumb”.

Most applications we have processed have been where the British citizen has exercised Treaty Rights for 6 months. There have been cases where 3 or 4 months have worked but we still recommend 6 months.

The British citizen should retain sufficient records of working and of their residence in the EU member state.

The spouse or partner of the British citizen should then move to that same EU member state and live with the British citizen.

However, the spouse or partner does not have to obtain a full residence visa to live in that EU member state (although often it is good to do so). However, it is perfectly possible to enter as a visitor, live with their British citizen spouse / partner and then apply for entry to the UK.

 

Step 2

The family member now needs to apply for a UK visa – or termed an “EEA Family Permit”. This is the most important part of the whole process – i.e. to ensure the applicant is categorised as the family member of an EEA national as defined in the Surinder Singh case.

It is vital to produce all the right evidence and to specifically address the Surinder Singh case in your application.

Normally, family members of British citizen cannot apply under EEA law. So, make sure the application is very specific in highlighting the Surinder Singh case and this is the category that one is applying under.

The application is usually made to the British Embassy in the EU member state that one lives in. Processing times vary but 3 weeks is the normal maximum time it takes. Some applications can be approved in a few days, if prepared properly.

If approved, the EEA Family Permit will be issued for 6 months and state that the applicant “MRS NAME” is the EEA Family Member of “MR NAME”.

Congratulations – you have now successfully used the Surinder Singh case and you are categorised as the family member of an EEA national. This now defines your immigration status on entering the UK and how you stay in the UK.      

   

Step 3

After moving to the UK, an application is then made for an EEA residence card for the family member. Much of the key material submitted in the EEA Family Permit application is still required, together with more evidence after moving to the UK.

An EEA residence card is then issued for 5 years.

 

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© Tim McMahon 2013

Email           tim@commonwealthimmigration.com

 

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