Post
by sagareva » Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:31 am
EHIC is just evidence of coverage that exists under an EU treaty, not coverage -- the letters should have been accepted
this is a known problem and has been covered in some policy papers
it is also known that some A8 countries did not actually issue ehics immediately after accession
if you were a student then your residence was temporary in nature so this should have worked
this is like most of teh time an unenlightened caseworker mistake
if this was a PR application you could appeal, but since you applied straight to nationality you can't
however asking for reconsideration may be worth it
i have an ILPA/AIRE paper on this somewhere here, cant give a link because it is saved on my computer... but basically there is no more difference between your letter and EHIC card, than there is between having a certificate of residence and not having it (eg evidence of a right, not a right). as we all know many HO ppl have trouble understanding this concept
2. EEA nationals temporarily staying in the UK who are habitually resident elsewhere in the EEA
Such individuals will be able, under Article 19(1) of Regulation 883/04, to get in-kind sickness benefits (i.e. NHS care) in the UK ‘which become necessary on medical grounds during their stay, taking into account the nature of the benefits and the expected length of the stay’. The NHS can send the bill to the social security institution of the State where the person is habitually resident. The UK Border Agency now recognises that such individuals meet the sickness insurance requirements inasmuch as UK Border Agency will accept a European Health Insurance Card. However, it is important to note that the European Health Insurance Card is only evidence of a right; if an EEA national temporarily staying in the UK can prove that (s)he is habitually resident in another Member State and covered by that Member State’s healthcare system by some other means, that too must suffice.
**Please note, you can no longer contact me by PM because owners of this board accused me of using it to recruit clients, and disabled my ability to read and send PMs.**