There is a sticky about this topic. Please read this as it may answer some of your questions. There is another thread discussing this matter as well. Please do some reading first prior to posting some questions to prevent duplication of issues.

 

Samiu,

Take a look at this sticky...
http://www.easyexpat.com/forums/ftopic_11904.htm

I've posted that Jan 2007, so I believe that should be new enough. You gave your papers Oct 2006. I gave mine end of Oct 2006 and got a response (Home Office letter acknowledging application) a week after in Nov. Like you, my wife was looking at the Home Office website for timelines on processing, and we were not expecting a reply till this year, but instead got our residence cards Dec 2006.

What is in that sticky is what I did, to the letter. If I was lucky, hard to tell. Assuming that your application has been filled out properly with ALL the necessary documents, and hopefully you have no prior record of overstaying, then I don't see any reason why anytime soon you do not receive your residence cards.

Home Office website may say they are processing for example September 2006 applications, but I am living proof that the information on the website is for a general purpose and to manage applicant's expectations. They would rather quote a delay and be faster than your expected timeline, rather than quote we can do it in X number of months, you start counting, and after that period, still end up with nothing. That I believe is more frustrating.

 

Hi Samiu...

Seem we are sadly in the same predicament. see my post on http://www.easyexpat.com/forums/sutra_37072.htm#37072#

I just saw STEYN9 is also in October... he noted in a post on 18th december that they were processing EEA2 for August then, but now it only says September, nearly 3 months later (today being march!!!). There is some serious issues, but i am at a loss on what else to try!

Keep in touch! and let me know how its going and what youve tried... ive outlined my struggle in the rather long post availble at the above link...

PM me if you want a MSN chat maybe... we should start a support group! lol... driving us all insane.

Regards,
Andrew

 

helo there,

Before I made my application, I rang up the homeoffice and a gentleman there advised me my hubby needs to make application before mine and I need to give references to his application. In my application, I sent a photocopy of my hubby's acknowledgement letter. Upon submission of my EEA2 in early November, acknowledgement letter arrived two weeks later. Hubby is french, got his card within 3-4 weeks. I am still awaiting mine. Maximum app time, said to be 6 months.

Reckon its 'be patience period'. As mentioned in other forums, you do not necessarily have to make the app. It is just a form of certificate of entitlement.

In the same boat.

Regards, Vimi

 

Hi Vimi... Thanks for your reply...

Ive read many a time, that the EEA1 and EEA2 is able to be sumitted together, in which instance both are usually processed in around 6 weeks.

An now that wever done it this way (EEA1 first and subsequently EEA2 application), yep its just a matter of waiting and a lot of patience. I know it is not neccessary and only a document of proof, but try telling that to employers and agencies who get to a certain stage then want to photocopies of passport/visa to cover their asses basically, and to prove eligibility. No matter how many times i offer every assurance, home office contacts or letters, i still progress no further than this stage...

So in theory all should be ok, but in reality, im sadly stuck between a big rock and a very hard place...

If you are mid Nov, then shouldnt be long after me.... keep in touch and ill let you know when mine comes through...

Regards
Andrew

 

Hi Andrew,

Well my case with work was much easier. I do work part time and go to uni as well. I printed copies from the homeoffice website, highlighted the important areas. Showed it to my manager upon confirmation of employment together with my passport. She agreed. I did give her all the contact numbers and homeoffice website details for her perusal incase she felt there is a need for confirmations.

Obviously there are not many lenient employers like mine. Many lacks the awareness on the issues involving EU citizens and their families. And with all these immigration controversies going on plate, they are as careful as possible, no one to blame really.

Well I will update with my application progress. Its good to have some information support on this matter.

Good day Andrew...

-Vimi-

 

we waited 5 months for ours i think we submited in july 2006 and received just before end of december 2006 i did call them once they refused to talk to me

 

Samiu e Andrew (AusNorway),

have you guys got you residence cards yet?
I am extending mine, I applied beginning of Jan and haven't got any updates yet.

Andrew, I hope you got yours already at this point, as I can completely understand the situation. First visa I had to wait 5 months and I was as a tourist. It was an horrible time. Hopefully you have got yours now?

All the best,

Glauco

 

Hi... I just found this forum through google.

It's kind of scary to read all your experience. i've just submitted my EEA2 form late Feburary, got their application confirmation letter on 6 Mar... it sounds like some people get the Residence card in 5 days (Arrghh, why can't we all apply to Sheffield office?), most in 5 months+...

I wish I found out about this forum earlier, cos I only submitted all the necessary document they required for the EEA2 (since EEA1 is optional, I've only sent in my EEA national hubby's ID card)... now it seems like I should overload them with more "documents". I do have a couple of questions:

1. If they require more documents - do they usually contact you right away by letter or phone?

2. will it help if I call them to ask about the status? Although on the letter they strongly advise against that?

3. I do have another passport (I have a Hong Kong passport and a British National (overseas) passport which I sent for the applicaton). Do you think I can travel with the passport? Will there be any problem when I try to re-enter UK with that other passport (with no visa on it)?

Thanks and good luck to everyone.

 

i sent my application for residence card on eea2 in the last week of october/2006. Its almost 7 months, i m waiting for the result. I called them lots of time, sent them reminder today so lets see what happens.. I m a bit scared now... lets c how it goes !

 

HI to you all. Lucky me.. ;-) .. i got my residence card today valid for 5 yrs . Took a bit longer than 6 months but happy ending. I sent an application in the last week of october last year and got it done this month. so total time being 6 months and 3 weeks. goodluck to you all waiting for yours. I know it is very hard to wait but there is no other choice.

 

Hi, we just posted our EEA2 form for my boyfriend today but i've got some doubts..... what happend if his marriage visa expired before we get the answer? it expire in Augoust
And ones he get the residence card will he be able to leave the Uk to go on holidays for example to spain or italy with me?
Thanks

 

it will depend.

 

It will depend on what?

 

Some advice would be welcome related to this:

My wife (Mexican) and I (Netherlands) were married over 1 yr ago (in Mexico) and are now living in Belfast. My wife is here on a family permit which we arranged for in Sweden where we were living before. When we received the family permit, we were told to report to the Home Office upon arrival in the UK. So, we called Croydon; they told us that we didn't need to do anything, just renew the permit (EEA2 I presume) once the 6 months limit will be near.
Today however upon discovering your website I was alarmed by the following sticky text:

"EEA family permits issued abroad are usually valid for six months. The family must travel to the UK during this time. Once in the UK, an application should be made by the European spouse/partner to the Home Office in Croydon for an EEA residence permit and an EEA residence document which consists of a stamp in the passport of the non-EEA spouse/partner."

Which is different than what the Home Office official told us. We will be travelling from end of June on (Australia, Mexico), and will come back September.

What should we do? Send in our passports etc. for a residence permit and hope to get back our documents before our trip starts, or start the procedure when coming back from our travels?

Another question: can my wife travel out of the UK on her own with her family permit? (We will travel back together)

 

You should apply for the residence card as soon as possible. Processing for the EEA partner should be reasonably quick, but the non EEA partner application can take up to 6 month, and from what I have heard it often does. There is a chance that the application is handled faster if you submit the two applications (EEA1 and EEA2) together.

You do not have to give up your passport for the whole time. For me it worked to send just a normal copy to start the process, although I would recommend a certified copy. Once you application is ready for processing, the Home Office will ask for the originals.

Traveling while the EEA family permit is valid should be no problem, alone or together. After that you should still be fine if you have the necessary documents (pay slips, marriage certificate etc) with you, but that is not exactly recommended.

Basically the implementation of the right of free movement is broken in the UK, and I assume the only way to fix it is to complain to your MP or the European Commission.

 

Helo Andrew,

After exactly 7 months, I ve got my residence card. I did ring up twice to query my status, they were pretty nice to me, apologising, advising will chase up for me etc.

Then a week later, received letter asking for my hubby's passport and more pay slips. Amazed, wrote a long letter stating my dissapointment since I have submitted similar documents to them. Few days later got my RC.

Hope you got yours. And gud luck everyone.

Rgds, Vimi