Bringing Japan wife to Schengen
 

In January me (Spanish) and my Japanese wife moved to Spain to start a new life here.

Then Corona happened and before Spain got into full lockdown we came back to Japan temporarily.

Things in Spain look better now and we are thinking about when (and how) we’ll be able to come back to Spain. Originally we had a HND - LHR - VLC flight on BA the 25th of April, but since this flight was cancelled we chose a JAL one on May 6th. Flight has been canceled again and now we are thinking about taking a May 9 BA flight on that same route.

Assuming that the situation in Spain on May 9th is better (hopefully) and that we can fly, I’m worry about our LHR connection. We are married, she is registered as a resident in Spain and has a temporary document showing her NIE number, but because of the corona situation we still don’t have the NIE card. On January we took the direct flight from NRT to MAD and had no problem getting to Spain as both Iberia and the authorities in Spain recognize these documents.

I’m worried that since this is a document in Spanish the BA crew in Japan won’t let my wife board.

im also worried that in case our LHR - VLC segment gets canceled (it’s been happening apparently) we’ll have to spend a night or two waiting in LHR but since it’s not Schengen I’m not sure they’ll allow us to go landslide and spend the night in a hotel.

What are my options?

thank you

Speak to the Spanish embassy in Japan?

haha that’s a good joke there

First, as it currently stands there would be no problem, entering the UK. There are currently no active restrictions for the UK for foreigners. You and your wife could enter the UK if you would need an overnight transfer.

For Spain, the previous poster mfkne is not making a joke. You could speak with the Spanish Embassy in Japan and discuss your options.
By the way, doesn't your wife have a residency permit in Spain as she is an immediate family member of a Spanish citizen ( you )? If so, that should be fine.

Thank you. I’m surprised to find that there are no restrictions to enter the UK right now. That makes things less stressful in case we need an overnight transfer. Way easier.

Spanish Embassy are helpful but they can’t provide any kind of document that would help my wife. She has a document that in the eyes of Spanish authorities it’s fully valid but then I’m a little bit worried that BA Tokyo staff won’t accept this paper as it’s in Spanish and it does not look like a residence card.

I don't understand what is the issue. Japanese passport holders can travel both to the UK and to Schengen/Spain without visa. point.
The fact that she is a resident of Spain will allow her to stay beyond the 3-6 months.

Until further notice, the Schengen area is closed for foreigners. The person traveling to the Schengen area should either be a citizen of one of the EU/EEA/CH countries or should have residency permit/work permit or any kind of other authorization approved by the government.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/undefinedNot entirely correct. EU citizens as well as their family members (which do not need to be EU citizens), as well es citizens of UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland as well as citizens of a third country with a long-term visa or residence permit can enter the Schengen Area.

In addition you need to check specific Spanish regulations. The website of the Spanish Embassy is the best place to start.

For questions regarding the transfer at LHR check https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/ . This is the official source which BA will use to determine if you have all necessary documents. Do you have a marriage licence with you so you can prove that you are married?

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/undefinedYes, thank you, we have a marriage licence book which is OK for the Spanish authorities. My problem was that wife still doesn’t have the valid residence card (although I have a temporary document and a residence registration document) and Tokyo BA staff might not understand this... also I was a little bit anxious that in case our LHR - VLC leg got suddenly canceled they won’t allow us to go landslide and spend one night in a hotel there in case we had to wait for the next available flight.

I’ve been checking and apparently BA is flying Madrid a lot more than VLC so in case I have a problem with that this also could work for me.

If you two are married, I think there is no need to worry about the residence permit. Just bring your marriage certificate/booklet with you and show at check-in if requested. Family members of EU citizens are allowed into Schengen, and even if your wife enters as a tourist, she could apply for a residence permit as the spouse of a European citizen minutes after landing and they would grant it immediately. Maybe allow some extra time for checking-in in case it takes a while for the agent to figure this out.

Air side is closed at night and depending on circumstances they let people out to go to hotels. They only detain people they think won't return to the airport the next day

Not that it would happen to you. Remember the UK is still a member of the EU for the rest of the year so freedom of movement still applies

In worse case scenario, if London to Valencia is cancelled there may be another London- anywhere in Spain.
Once you are in Spain you could rent a car and drive.
The issue for you is getting back to Spain and not be trapped somewhere else, right?

Yes. Actually might end up in a MAD bound flight but that’s ok. I was worried about having to spend one night near LHR and not being able to because of travel restrictions but apparently that’s fine so I’m relieved. Thank you