I Need advice on benefits in the UK.

Non-EEA living in UK ,need advice on Schengen visa.?

• I am a non eea family member of a dutch national. We have been living in UK for 2 years now on family permit. Before coming to UK i was living in Holland , overstayed my visa and left holland because i was pregnant and couldn't settle with my husband over there. Immigration officer took photocopies of my passport and said i am banned from NL now but didn't tell that how long i was being banned for. Now i want to visit my brother in holland just for 2-3 days. Can they reject my Schengen visa application? or ban me forever from Schengen states? and do i need to apply for the visa from UK or my home country? Thanx!

• Answer:

  I think your case is very specific and unusual and hence the chance of getting a correct answer on here is slim. If immigration authorities ban you then normally it is a permanent ban unless otherwise stated. You need official advice. That is clear. Therefore I am not sure exactly which authority can answer you but you can check a number of options (1) Best thing is to check with the immigration service directly here in the Netherlands as they will have your case notes and thus are in the best position to give you advice. You can contact them by calling +31 20 8893045 or by post/Email on the adresses given here http://www.ind.nl/EN/algemeen/contact/informatielijn/index.asp?lang=en&subhome=&title=&origin= If they are unable to help then ask them whom to approach. If they cannot give any advice then I would contact either the Dutch or your home (whichever passport you hold) embassy in the UK Good luck with this either way