FAQs 4 - The United Kingdom and Europe

Q: Can I get a visa for another European Union or European Economic Area country from a UK visa office?
A: No. You should contact an embassy or consulate for the country that you wish to visit.

Q: I have a Schengen visa. Can I use it for the United Kingdom?
A: No. The UK is not part of the Schengen group of countries and if you need a visa for the UK, you must apply for one at a British visa office before you travel to the UK.

Q: I am an EU/EEA/Swiss national. My wife/husband/child is a visa national. Do they need a visa to visit the UK?
A: She/he will need an EEA/Swiss Family Permit issued at a UK visa office overseas before she/he travels. You must either travel to the UK together, or your family must be joining you in the UK. Family permits are issued free of charge.

Q: I am an EU/EEA national. My wife/husband/child is a visa national. Do they need a visa to join me permanently in the UK?
A: She/he will need an EEA/Swiss Family Permit issued at a UK visa office overseas before she/he travels. You must either travel to the UK together, or your family must be joining you in the UK. Family permits are issued free of charge.

Q: How do I get a family permit?
A: A family permit can be applied for at any UK Overseas Mission. Your family must apply for one prior to travelling to the United Kingdom.