EUsmileWEallsmile wrote:MissS wrote:Hello all,
Can someone please clarify something for me? I have searched the board and found similar cases, but none quite like mine.
I am non-EEA, holder of a permanent residence card, and am an unmarried partner to an EEA national. We wish to travel to France, and even though I thought that I should not need a visa to travel to France, having read the embassy website, I had resigned myself to the fact that I would need to apply for a visa as my PR does not have those exact words ‘ family member of an EEA national’. I went on the TLS website (who are responsible for French visa applications) and found out from the application form, and also after an enquiry sent to them, that I cannot apply as a family member of an EEA national as I am not married to the EEA national, and therefore need to apply independently as a tourist, thus losing such advantages as accelerated processing time, non-payment of visa fees, and also that I will need to provide proof of funds, get insurance etc. Anyone had similar experience? It seems a bit strange considering the reason I obtained the PR was because I was deemed a family member under Article 3 2(b), does this not matter outside the UK? Do the French not recognise unmarried partners? Any input would be helpful, thank you.
The French do recognise durable partners.
Your PR card is an article 20 residence card and ought to be accepted just like your old article 10 card. You may find that airlines are unfamiliar with this.
If you looked at the German website, it gives a much clearer steer on what documentation would be acceptable.
Thank you for your response. I know they ought to accept the article 20 residence card, but going by what they say on their website, and having read stories on here about people being detained/deported, I thought it safer to just get the visa. Here is the response from TLScontact:
Dear Applicant
Please be advised if your 'family member of EEA national' card was still valid you can only enter France if you can prove your relationship by providing a copy of a valid marriage certificate at the boarder when you arrive in France.
As the holder of a permanent residence card (ILR) you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa to enter France.
As you are not married you need to apply independently as a Tourist. You can only apply a a Spouse of EU if you can provide a valid mariage certificate for the application process.
Kind Regards
TLScontact Team
Now I am sure this is not correct (don't even know why they mention ILR), but what can I do in order not to apply for a tourist visa? Do you think applying directly to the French Embassy might help? thank you.
P.S. I have looked at the German website. While they do mention 'permanent residence card', I read this to mean RC and PR are acceptable only if you are a partner (married or civil partnership) or child to the EEA national?
