Is a UK Visa Needed

A common situation but difficulty in getting a ‘’yes’ or ‘no’ answer to a simple question. I am married to a Ukrainian lady with Spanish residency; the lot.

I have British and Irish nationality but my UK passport is out of date as I don’t need two. Will she need a visa to visit the UK for a few days if she is with me? She is free to go where she wishes in the Schengen Area. The UK Border Agency (online) is unhelpful largely due to its complexity.

If she doesn’t it raises the question, if my UK passport is out of date how do I prove my UK birth and nationality: Birth Certificate one supposes; take everything and be prepared to try reason if there is a ‘step this way, sir’ query.

A long shot but maybe someone on here is in a similar situation and has the tee-shirt.

Hi Mike

According this Website she will need a Visa.Correct me if I am wrong here.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/general/visa/

Good Luck

Regards

Thanks Nigel….. The topic was covered a month or so back and there was an erudite response. Sadly, typically Spain (or bureaucracy everywhere), ask 10 people one question and you get 10 different answers all of which are right.

Britain’s loss: if a visa is required (£150 for a visa to visit Gibraltar) we will choose from the competing 28 EU nations to spend our money in. Cheers, my friend. - Mike

Mike,   My wife (Asian) and I are in the situation as you.  From everything I have read as a UK national, even with dual nationality, you cannot take your wife to UK, unless you are (may have) worked in EU outside UK.  However, if you were just Irish, or any other EU National other than British,  you probably can.

We went to Gib a couple of times with my Irish passport, I did not mention I had dual nationality, .  No problem.  Then I wrote to the Immigration in Gib and said I had worked in Spain as a voluntary translator with the Police for many years, they said it that case I could take my wife to Gib.  We gave it a go and the guy at the border said even with just my British PP she could go in. He did not ask about working.  I tried to show him the email from the Immigration Service but he did not want to look at it,   So maybe it depends on who checks you.

I spoke to British Airways about taking my wife to UK using the Irish  PP   (The Surrender Singh route;  http://blogs.kent.ac.uk/eu-rights-clinic/2013/12/08/uk-changes-rules-on-surinder-singh-route/) but they said they would not let my wife check in  unless she had a visa.

I believe you should be able to get a Family Permit,  which I understand is free.   Info here:-   http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/eea-family-permit/

Good luck, Mike

Thanks John…. The EEA seems the way to go. As soon as I have a little stash will give it a whirl. Thanks so much. Have a good day! - Mike