EEE4 - do I apsolutely need to send my passport

Hi, I am about to apply for EEE4 perm residence, my concern is that it may take 6-12 months and I really don't wanna lose my passport for that long (nither my EEA wife). Do I apsolutely have to send it with application? can I just send application, mariadge sertificate , proofe of employment and a cover letter saying that we need our passports as we expect to travel on business family/matter and they should request our passports once the case worker needs them? Or should I submit our passports and then request them back once I recieve a letter of aknowlegment?
In any case, what effect will it have on my application? will it delay it even more?

many thanks,

dimas wrote:Hi, I am about to apply for EEE4 perm residence, my concern is that it may take 6-12 months and I really don't wanna lose my passport for that long (nither my EEA wife). Do I apsolutely have to send it with application? can I just send application, mariadge sertificate , proofe of employment and a cover letter saying that we need our passports as we expect to travel on business family/matter and they should request our passports once the case worker needs them? Or should I submit our passports and then request them back once I recieve a letter of aknowlegment?

I would say do the above; also include a (certified) photocopy of both your passports. However, the HO has recently made some procedural changes to the way EEA applications are dealt with, and part of that says that original documents should be submitted together with an application. However, I do not know to what extent this will be enforced.

Since 1 June 2009, we have been checking all applications as soon as we receive them. Unless you have completed the application form correctly and provided the necessary supporting evidence, we will not accept your application as valid under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006.

If you do not make your application in this way, with the correct supporting documentation, we will reject your application and return your application form to you.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... ns-june-09

My main question is, how can avoid HO holding my passport for 6-12 months ? If I request it back after submiting will they process my application as usual and request passport again only when the case worker needs it, or wil they stop my application or decline it all together?

You have a choice.

(1) You can send a certified copy of the documents. Home Office may return it to you (they say they will), but you can try it out.

(2) Send the original documents. Remember that the EU citizen can send either their ID card or their passport. Ask, on a cover letter, for the documents to be immediately returned

(2a) If you do not get back the documents immediately, contact the home office and ask them to return both documents while the application continues to be processed.

If you have any problems, contact your MP and ask for the documents back.

dimas wrote:My main question is, how can avoid HO holding my passport for 6-12 months ? If I request it back after submiting will they process my application as usual and request passport again only when the case worker needs it, or wil they stop my application or decline it all together?

You can request your passport back after submitting the application, and it does not affect your position in the 'queue' in any way! Your application will proceed as normal, and the caseworker will request your passport again when a decision is about to be made.