This will be our last post for a while, since we got a 'slightly positive' letter from INIS... it might be helpful for some of you if we tell you how we went through the process:
details:
(M) Dutch, living in Ireland (and employed) since 1999
(F) Russian, came over in November 2006
-Married after more than 2 years (duly attested) relationship, married in Russia Civil Ceremony).
-no children or other dependents
-She came over on Type D spousal visa for 1 month (3 month when issued)
EU1 applied for with all docs on 11/12/06.
-My wife had not lived in any other EU country before moving to Ireland.
Details of what we did over time:
- Sent letter after 4 months to remind them to speed it up a bit (no response)
- Letter after 5.5 months explaining their deadlines of 6 months to them
-lengthy and passionate letter after 6 months, formally lodging a complaint and pointing out that we would escalate. Also pointed out the legal basis of our request
- many calls and emails after 6 months (asking to speak to a supervisor does help)
- All letters were by registered post (recommended practise!)
- Copies of all emails were kept, same for a log of all calls.
We always included previous communications to any new letter (reminds them how much of a struggle it is to get through to them).
- All letters were addressed to the INIS Dept. Manager (and addressed him personally, requesting to be contacted by him or his dept (which never happened, but still....))
-Letters included proof of relationship, etc. (note that the provision 3(2) is there with a view to eradicate marriages of convenience, to swing their mind, point this out in your letters, and if you've had a great big wedding: include pictures of it as this would not be the case in a marriage of convenience).
- Made appointement with Brian Lenihan (our TD and the minister) - granted appointment on 29/06, where he promised he would speed it up and get us our decision, also pointed out that without registration one can not have PPS andsoforth.. TD was somewhat understanding about our situation.
2nd week of July: email to B. Lenihan to remind him of his promise.. a few days later we were called back by him, saying he'd brought the matter to attention of INIS.
- few days after that, received written confirmation of the same, and received decision letter of INIS:
Decision: no residency, but permission to remain on Stamp 4 conditions, no further work authorizations required for next 2 years (after 2 years they'll have a very hard time declining a further request). Stamp 4 is renewable after 2 years.
- went to INIS, got stamp 4 and GNIB registration card....
now all we need is reentry visas......
ok, not having residency might not be all that fantastic, but at least we can now both work, travel and get insurance and so on.
Thanks to all of you, because we did learn a lot from this forum, and, we hope that you will all have your (hopefully positive) decisions soon...
Good Luck to everyone on this forum !!