Why apply for an extension (ore re-apply) for the family permit, when you can apply for a residence card. The validity is longer and there is no fee as well, and by doing this, you are going one step towards your wife's citizenship.

Regardless of whether you apply for the family permit or residence card, the usual processing time is 6 months. Soime applications get luck and are processed in about 2-3 months, but if you are pinning your hopes that your application will be within this frame, then please don't. Assume the worst, which means the forms will nto be finished in 2 months time.

What you CAN do is, when you do submit the applicaion forms, state in your cover letter that you are to travel to wherever you're going in 2 months, and that you require your passports back about a week before departure. This will igve some time for the caseworker to consider information in your passports prior to releasing them back to you.

I was told before at least twice that requesting your passports back while forms are being processed DO NOT endanger your applications in being rejected. The sooner you submit the forms for processing the better the chance you'll get them back with the caseworker already having reviewed the contents of your passports. Every day you delay will make your chances smaller. Word your cover letter carefully in requestnig your passports back.

 

EEA1 is for the EU national, EEA2 is for the non-EU national.

If the permit has expired, then your wife will not be allowed to come in, even though the "replacement" permit is being processed. Reason being is: it may be currently processed, but the immigration officer will think this application may or may not be approved, and in this light, this is not considered a basis for letting your wife back in. You guys can leave as long as when you come back the current permit is still valid. I know it's not fair, but these are the rules we all have to follow (me included!).