Can I work while waiting for a COA - my visa has expired

Hi there,

I applied for a COA back in January this year (2010). Have not yet received it and my visa has now expired.

Am I able to work while waiting for the COA?

Thank you very much in advance.

yes you should be able to work, as long as your employer does not insist on seeing a letter from the HO stating that you canwork. Generally all COA's issued by HO are good for 6 months.

jdavid321, what is the nature of your Residence Card application? Are you a family member of an EEA national, or are you an extended family member?

Hi there bobobo and John. thanks for your replies.

I want to marry my swedish partner, real marriage, not sham or anything. So I suposse is family member of an EEA national type

Yes bobobo, my employer is asking for such confirmation. He said he called the home office and they told him that my papers (confirmation of receipt of COA application) are tool old. It is old but because they are taking ages to reply (!)

As long as you are not married you can only qualify as an extended family member. But this must be established first and also means that you do not have an automatic right to work.

jdavid321, I agree with 86ti, you do not have an automatic right to work.

Marriage to your Swedish partner would make all the difference.