Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 October 2011.

Visas

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many immigrants from other European Union (EU) countries, who were nationals of non-EU countries and had been granted passports or other visas and travel documents by those countries, came to the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; what are the United Kingdom entry requirements for third country nationals resident in other EU countries; and what estimate they have made of the number of Dutch Somalis entering the United Kingdom for residence purposes.

Answer: The UK Border Agency can not provide statistics on the number of immigrants from other EU countries who were nationals of non-EU countries and had been granted passports or other visas and travel documents by those countries and who have since come to the United Kingdom in each of the past five years. Directive 2004/38, known as the free movement directive, establishes a right of entry and residence in the United Kingdom for EEA nationals. An initial right of residence of up to three months can be extended if the EEA national is, or becomes, a qualified person under the directive as implemented by the United Kingdom by the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006. Permanent residence can be acquired after five years of residence in a qualified capacity. Third country nationals resident in other EU countries who are not EEA nationals are subject in the same way as all other third country nationals to the Immigration Rules unless they are able to acquire a right to enter or reside in the United Kingdom under the directive as the family member of an EEA national. The UK Border Agency cannot estimate the number of Dutch Somalis entering the United Kingdom for residence purposes. However, Dutch nationals clearly enjoy the same free movement rights as all other European nationals.

Secondary information