Post
by vjtran » Thu Aug 27, 2015 3:54 pm
Hi everyone!
Long time reader, first time poster. Firstly, I want to say thanks to everyone as this has been a really helpful forum, especially since my lawyer seem to be ignoring my questions!
I wondered if we can add a summary to the list of timings?
i.e. date COA received - date RC received, Relationship (unmarried partner/married/extended family), and Nationalities
This would help give an idea of the circumstances as I suspect some circumstances would be easier/quicker to make a decision on than others.
So, here's my timeline and story as it might be helpful to some.
Submitted application (with request for return of passports) - 04/05
Payment taken - 14/05
COA and request for biometrics - 21/05
Submitted biometrics - 28/05
Passports returned - 11/06
RC ETA - late Oct / early Nov
EEA (EFM) Unmarried Partner (Spanish/Australian).
I applied with the new 108 page form.
My partner is Spanish and I am Australian. We met in Spain while I was on holiday and he moved to London 6 months later. We have lived together in London now for 2.5 years (2 years at date of application) and met 3 years ago. Our application included joint tenancy agreements, joint council tax invoices, joint bank account as well as other evidence of our living together and our relationship (personal statements, photos, greeting cards).
I was on a TIer 2 (General) sponsorship with my employer but desperate to leave my job as it was becoming unbearable to the point of affecting my personal life, health and sanity! Originally, my lawyer told me that EU law overrides UK law and that while the Home Office won't confirm my right to work, that I am legally allowed to work while awaiting the residence card. On this basis, I resigned from my job, accepted a new job offer only to discover that I cannot work. EU law definitely states that I can stay on the basis of my partner IF I can prove to the UK government that we are in a stable relationship - i.e. it is completely dependent on this application process. Unmarried partners of EU nationals are not automatically given a Right to Work with the COA.
I'm fortunate that my employer allowed me to extend my notice period. However, I am have now finished, unable to work anywhere else and waiting for the residence card for at least 2-2.5 months.
We are travelling to Spain in a couple of weeks to visit my partner's family. The Home Office confirmed that I can travel while awaiting my RC. The only caveat is that they may request additional information and I need to be able to respond within 15 days. We are only going for 10 days (7 working days) so don't see this as a problem). I will be bringing my COA, my partner's latest payslips and copies of our joint tenancy agreement just in case and to avoid any significant delays in re-entering the UK.
My passport actually expires in November, but the Home Office confirmed that I can renew my passport while my application is still in process. So I will be doing this before we go to Spain to ensure I'm ok regarding 6/3 months validity on my passport for travel.
Good luck everyone, stay calm and patient as while it's frustrating to wait without any updates, it is likely simply due to the volume of applications they need to go through.
Any other May applicants reading this?
