Passport request/travel while EEA(FM) application pending

Hi everyone,

I've been scouring the forums all morning, but I'm still a little bit unclear about some questions! Hopefully I can get some advice here.

I'm a US citizen, my spouse is an EEA national. We have both been living and working in the UK for the past 3 years. I used to be on the Tier 2 General visa, but now I'm applying for the Residence Card through EEA(FM). I have received my CoA (11/09/15), but our passports aren't back yet.

Looking at the current timelines, it seems like it's unlikely that I'll get the RC back before Christmas, when I'd like to travel because my family is coming to Switzerland.

Here are my questions:

- Is there a time limit for how long I can keep my passport when I ask for it back? If I need to travel around Christmas, should I ask for my passport back now? Or should I wait until late November/early December?

- If I get my passport back and need to travel out to Switzerland, how do I get back into the UK? Do I need to apply for an EEA Family Permit to get back in? Can I just use my CoA? I don't want to be refused entrance at the border.

Thanks!

Also, you can add my timelines to the list:

EEA(FM)
Applied: 28/07/15 (HO received: 29/07/15)
Payment taken: 04/08/15
QP email received: 13/08/15
Bio letter: 14/08/15
Bio given: 17/08/15
CoA dated: 11/19/15 (received: 14/09/15)
RC: pending