Many thanks for the replies - especially as they feature the answer I hoped - though I may not be saying that when the UKBA Liverpool office holds on to our passports for eternity next year.
Daddy, we lived in Barcelona for two years having married in Peru in early 2009. Once we decided we were moving to the UK and wanted to pursue the EEA entry clearance route we gathered the following documentation:
Original Peruvian marriage certificate as well as the official
legalized translation of that document which we obtained from the Births, Death and Marriages office in the UK - having lodged the same papers via the British Embassy in Lima in 2009.
My entire Spanish work history, including payslips, joint tax returns and the local empadrimiento (Padron) documents for two years (as we changed flats after one year), as well as my Spanish residence certificate (showing my NIE), plus my wife's Spanish residence card (if only it was as easy to obtain here in the UK!).
A
legalized photocopy of the biometric page of my British passport. I had this done at the British Embassy in Barcelona and it cost about 40 euros for two minutes of their time.
We also supplied a one paragraph letter on headed paper from my employer confirming I was in full-time employment and based in the UK.
In addition, I sent my last three UK payslips and a siigned letter from the friend with who I was lodging saying he was prepared to let my wife lodge with him until we found a place of our own. I also included two recent bills in his name showing the address.
Finally, I supplied a signed letter of invitation briefly explaining why we were leaving Spain and moving to the UK.
Once we completed the visa application form online my wife visited the British Embassy in Madrid and handed over all the above paperwork (copies and originals must be taken along).
Unfortunately, the first time she went she didn't hand over my work history so our application was rejected.
Another flight/hotel stay later she repeated the process and the visa was issued within 5-10 working days, with confirmation sent via email.
Hope this info helps, any further questions please post them below. In my experience with embassies and consulates, it's always better to supply too much paperwork than too little.
Regards,
Beany
