http://news.sky.com/story/1393951/brits-can-bring-foreign-family-to-uk-ruling

[toffo]

Good news   NO more waiting

[mike]

This ruling only applies residents of the EU who would normally of had to apply for an EEA family permit to travel to the UK with their spouses.

Here is the more balanced report from the BBC. Still of course very good news. :-)

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30528189

Mike

[CO-CO]

I am not sure it makes a scrap of difference to those of us living in Thailand.

I think the ruling just confirms that anyone who is resident in the EEC can take their (Thai) foreign wife to the UK under the 'freedom of movement of people' principle - and that by-passes immigration rules. If WE want to take wives to the UK, they have to apply for a visa.

[Starman]

For how long must you be a resident in an EU country? I seem to remember a loophole being found and used before. A Brit took his Thai wife to Europe on a Schengen visa. They stayed in France for a while, I think 30 days, and then he took her to GB.

Can't remember where I saw or heard it so no link, sorry.

[mike]

What this ruling applies to is non EU foreign nationals that have a residence card based on marriage to an EU national, whether they a British or not.

In France they call this a "carte de sejour" and gIves  permission to live and work in France and travel freely throughout the EC for visits. Except the UK.

I hear on other forums that you need to be resident for 90 days, I do not know if it is true or not, however my wife travelled to the UK on a family permit (based on our residence in France) within this timeframe back in 2009. It was approximately 60 days, but the application was made after 15 days of receiving the residence card.

From my perspective this ruling is great as even though the Family Permit is free it still costs 500€ each time to travel to  Paris, hotel, visits, meals, beer, wine..... As well as an application form and all of the usual supporting documents.

This ruling is of course still not bring followed by the UK, it just goes back to the jig courts now for consideration and judgement.

Mike