EEA4 fast processing times or wishful thinking

After contacting my MP a second time and requesting my passport back a second time, our passports finally arrived. But they were minus my IRL visa. Quite disappointed as they had 5 1/2 months to process my application but didn't. Does anyone know if they still process the application (yes I did ask them to continue processing my application when I requested my passports)? And if so, do they get in touch about sending my passport to them to put the visa in the passport? In the letter I received, they said I should apply for EEA visa before returning to the country. I'm not going to fly to NY or LA just to get another visa before returning because UKBA can't get their finger out.

Non-EU Family Member of a Swedish National
Applied for EEA4 28 Oct.
Application received 29 Oct.
CoA received dated 6 Nov.
Passport request 19 Mar
MP contacted and enquires to made by his office 19 Mar
MP replied - HO stated they are still within their 6 months time frame to process visa.
Passports requested again 8 April
MP contacted about UKBA not returning passports in 10 working days
Passport received 12 April with letter dated 9 April
Waiting for the decision on my application

WebMonkey wrote:Hello All,

It has been over six months now, I've chased the UK Border Agency and their response was to be patient and could not give me an ETA. I'm not sure how to chase them now, do I get my local MP involved, if so, is there a template of what to say to them?

Also, would it be worth me requesting my passport back? I do need it back as I need to complete an application for work purposes (clearance applications)

Any suggestions are welcomed.

I'm waiting for 7 months and no reply but I can give you something that will go strait to your case worker but I can't assure you that u will get the documents but you will get a call back but pls be polite and sound like you are stressed ok e-mail me on vinnieda21@googlemail.com and I will reply to you with the info ok good luck

wow...just reading these! Unbelievable. Guess the HO haven't changed in the last 5 years. I remember our application took more than 6 months. (EEA1/2); we did get our pasports back; as I had to travel abroad. However there was this European watchdog where you could complain. Which I did (official complain) - advised by another board member. And before you knew it they came back apologising stating they had a reorganisation or they had to move office ....can't really remember. But was the biggest Bull *&(& I've heard. They did process it within a month of complaining I believe.
I'll have a look around to see which body it was again; who helped me to put the complain through. I remember I called and kept a log from 6 months onwards of how often I called; how many emails/letters I wrote etc.

I might actually post everything and put in writing a request to post the passports back; as we'll be definately traveling in the next 6 months and we'll also be looking for houses/mortgages...so def need the passports!.

Hi guys just an email from NWEURODCC to tell me that you application is being processed in 14 days.. That's all

Hi All,

I have applied EEA4 on 03/01/13 without solicitor and sent a letter asking sort of confirmations mid Feb, but didn't receive reply nor COA. To be honest, I didn't even know they should have sent COA before I read mentions here. I do need your advices.

-Could anybody let me know contact numbers or e-mails of relevant dept.? All I have is useless 0845 010 5200 and L2 0QN address. Their web pages for EEA family member don't work tonight!

-I'm planning to travel in May. (I've never imagine it takes so long) and will ask for passport back. I'm wondering it will takes longer without passport and no problem when I get back from abroad with expired Resident Documentation on 04/02/13.

-Can I find new job with expired RD which prove my rights?

daffodile wrote:Hi All,

I have applied EEA4 on 03/01/13 without solicitor and sent a letter asking sort of confirmations mid Feb, but didn't receive reply nor COA. To be honest, I didn't even know they should have sent COA before I read mentions here. I do need your advices.

-Could anybody let me know contact numbers or e-mails of relevant dept.? All I have is useless 0845 010 5200 and L2 0QN address. Their web pages for EEA family member don't work tonight!

-I'm planning to travel in May. (I've never imagine it takes so long) and will ask for passport back. I'm wondering it will takes longer without passport and no problem when I get back from abroad with expired Resident Documentation on 04/02/13.

-Can I find new job with expired RD which prove my rights?

Hi, 1 You can't travel without a valid visa so that option get out your head in regards to your COA you need to contact that useless number and confirm that they have received your documents.2 There some that they haven't received Coa for 6 months and over I have Been waiting for 7 months now and nothing I wouldn't recommend getting back your passport either I'm afraid you got to wait .3 Or contact Rob.Whiteman@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk this is the director General and Explain the situation with you details most likely one of assistants will reply to you. When you get a reply there will be a number call that number and Explain ...there are the only ones that help ...all the best

Just to let you know my wife has received her PR after just over 5 months of waiting.. Cool

Mordoklej wrote:Just to let you know my wife has received her PR after just over 5 months of waiting.. Cool

Good! And thanks for taking the time to update forum members which builds a better picture of mean application timescales.

Thank you, Vinnie21. I've written e-mail... They are really out of their minds. How do they keep someone's most important identity documents for so long!;;; I feel suddenly I'm in communist country or dictatorship.

daffodile u have seen nothing yet, wellcome to the bully society or the homopitalizm jungle

i have applied for PR but my wifes status has changed she is british now and is been 6 1/2 months and when the MP called te UKBA they told him i have done wrong application form i should've done under UK low not under EU. they also said because i haven't done right application apparently i have no right to stay in UK and they going to retain my passport . does any one heard any thing like this. what form i should've use?

admir wrote:i have applied for PR but my wifes status has changed she is british now and is been 6 1/2 months and when the MP called te UKBA they told him i have done wrong application form i should've done under UK low not under EU. they also said because i haven't done right application apparently i have no right to stay in UK and they going to retain my passport . does any one heard any thing like this. what form i should've use?

What is your wife's nationality? (to determine if dual nationality is allowed in her country)
When did you automatically acquire permanent residence?
When did your wife attend her British Citizenship ceremony? (it is only from this day that she is British)

On the face of it the UKBA cannot state that you have no right to remain in the country until the basis of their decision has been put to you in writing.

So, do let us know more details to see what suggestions can be made.

my wife is slovakian but now she is british.
got married 6 1/2 years ago so i should've applied 1 year and half ago

she became british citizen 8 months ago

admir wrote:my wife is slovakian but now she is british.
got married 6 1/2 years ago so i should've applied 1 year and half ago

she became british citizen 8 months ago

It looks like Slovakia allows its citizens acquire dual citizenship so I do not think that you have lost your right to PR under EU law. In which case you can apply to naturalise now having automatically acquired PR and being the spouse of a dual British/Slovakian citizen OR wait till you have PR confirmation.

See what the UKBA's decision is and take it from there.

sent eea4 application 6th march 2013
pr received 22 April 2013 issued on 17th April 2013

all the best for other waiting for pr

Hi all
PR received today dated 17 April 2013
sent EEA4 17 October 2012
good luck for all still waiting

The UKBA seems to be picking up the pace. Good!

Most October applicants should have been attended to now.

Plum70, I wish! I am still waiting for mine. Contacted them yesterday and they advised to be patient as they are still processing my application.

Applied for EEA4 12 Feb 2013
Application received 13 Feb 2013
CoA received dated 4 March 2013
RP received 22 April 2013 (dated 18 April 2013)

2.5 months

Just wanted to give some hope to the people who are reading the posts and wishing to see a post with 2-3 months turn around mention(i was this person).

For people who are about to submit their applications, the main advice is:

- chronological order and clear indexes for every section - with page numbers and short rationals
- as many different sources of address/fund proofs as possible, but a very short selection of the overall documents (only 1 per quarter)
- make is as easy to go through as possible (test on your friends and relatives)

Good luck to all!

Mordoklej wrote:Just to let you know my wife has received her PR after just over 5 months of waiting.. Cool

Now she can naturalise straight away if she so desires.

WebMonkey wrote:Plum70, I wish! I am still waiting for mine.

How long for now?

@ nidaulhaque
Wowwwww that was quick - So there is hope!! Would you be so kind to share the info/breakdown you have posted them of proof of 5 years treaty right?
I was thinking about P60 forms or bank statements.
We are in the progress of applying for a mortgage as well; so don't want to post to many stuff - plus it will cost a fortune as well. lol:)

applied for EEA3and EEA4 on 15 March and still have not received COA which I need for work circumtances. Phoned them and they said I have to write them for asking COA which I did and still waiting. I am going to miss job offer because of their late process!!! Dont know what to do!

Just in case anyone is intending on applying with a request for return of passports within the application - make sure you also complete the ROD form and email it to them too.

I included a letter requesting return of passports in my application (delivered 8 April 2013) with a prepaid special delivery envelope and then, after reading this forum, also sent a request by completing the form and emailing them on 11 April with my Royal Mail ref.

On 20 April I received the special delivery with only our passports in and then later that day I received a 2nd class delivery with my COA in it. This leads me to believe that they acted on my email rather than the request sent with my application.

Let the waiting for PR begin...

Hi just wanna share our case (Me Czech, husband Palestinian)
Applied 08 OCT
COA received shortly after
Still haven't heard of them. On the phone they keep sayin that it is still being processed and no other information available.
My solicitor requested my passport back 5th MArch but they (UKBA) said they had not received the request
Passport requested back again 11th April this one has been received but told they still need 20 working days. I am facing losing a job offer if they dont return my passport very soon, employer has been waiting for me for 2 month already.
I wrote to my MP asking for assistance two weeks ago but no reply.
Also wrote to rob whiteman office and no reply.
I would now like to file official complaint re 1) not processing application within 6 month 2) Not sending my passport back .
Can anybody advice me if they are actually breaking any law if they don't process the application within 6 month, or is it the European directive? What shall i refer to in the complaint?