Experiences on Requesting Passports back from UKBA (EEA2)

Got a supprised call from our solicitor this afternoon, we requested my hobby passport last week and it was received today with the residence card. Now we can move on with our lifes.

Just to update on my side:

Send my EEA2 application on 16 Nov 2012 EEA2, and got COA back in one week.

Request to return my passport many times during the period of 17 Nov to 20 Dec 2012, have also contacted the local MP for help, stated the reason (booked nonrefundable with family and friends a while ago). I didn't heard anything regarding my passport till 18th, Dec the day before we were leaving for the holiday. It was in the afternoon 2pm, and was too late. By then we didn't expect it would be return on time. It didn't return to me on time anyway. Finally I got it back at noon on 19 Dec, My schedule flight was in the morning at 10am. We stayed at home for Xmas and had terrible time thinking of we could be on the sunny and hot 5* resorts we had paid for.

There was a letter that stated return of my passport doesn't effect my application and ask not to send my passport back till UKBA requests it. So I was waiting for the request.

On 25th Jan, I got a package back, all the information I send to UKBA was inside, except the application form and the Residence Documentation was attached and it is valid for another 5 years.

Anyway, I am going to apply PR this May, by then I will have been living in UK for 5 years uninterrupted.

zz00ee wrote:1. Was your request for an emergency or leisurely travel? If for leisurely travel, did you state so in your request?

I did state the reason and it is for family Christmas Holiday, booked nonrefundable flights etc.

2. Did you a) fill in the document return form, b) just email the liverpool office with your names and reference number, or c) send a letter through the post with the request (possibly containing the official form)?

b): send a email stated reason and case NO.

3. How long did it take for your passports to be returned from the day of your first request?


No news

4. Did you request them back before or after you received your COA?

After received the COA

zz00ee wrote:Just to update on my side:

Send my EEA2 application on 16 Nov 2012 EEA2, and got COA back in one week.

Request to return my passport many times during the period of 17 Nov to 20 Dec 2012, have also contacted the local MP for help, stated the reason (booked nonrefundable with family and friends a while ago). I didn't heard anything regarding my passport till 18th, Dec the day before we were leaving for the holiday. It was in the afternoon 2pm, and was too late. By then we didn't expect it would be return on time. It didn't return to me on time anyway. Finally I got it back at noon on 19 Dec, My schedule flight was in the morning at 10am. We stayed at home for Xmas and had terrible time thinking of we could be on the sunny and hot 5* resorts we had paid for.

There was a letter that stated return of my passport doesn't effect my application and ask not to send my passport back till UKBA requests it. So I was waiting for the request.

On 25th Jan, I got a package back, all the information I send to UKBA was inside, except the application form and the Residence Documentation was attached and it is valid for another 5 years.

Anyway, I am going to apply PR this May, by then I will have been living in UK for 5 years uninterrupted.

Wow zz00ee, that's the fastest I've read about! Well done - you've given us all hope!

Hey Plum, did the UKBA ever request your passports back?

I am actually going insane... I am DYING to book a snowboarding vacation which looks as though it's going to cost me double what it would have cost me if I'd booked it when I wanted to in January. I called the UKBA today to get an update on my request from Monday, and to see if they'd expedite it for me. The guy made it sound as though he had absolutely no connection to the UKBA as he literally could not do anything for my file. Unsurprising, of course, based on everyone else's experience with the phone line. But BAH! I hope my passports arrive within five days, too!!

My time Line for passport requested back

EEA1 and EEA2 applied : 23/10/2012
COA Received : 28/10/2012
Passport Requested back :24/01/2013
Passport Received : 31/01/2013
RC : ........................

sofia.d.c wrote:Hey Plum, did the UKBA ever request your passports back?

Not yet. A good thing actually as I will need it for another 6 weeks... I suspect that my PR may arrive on a free standing ISD.

sofia.d.c wrote:I am actually going insane... I am DYING to book a snowboarding vacation which looks as though it's going to cost me double what it would have cost me if I'd booked it when I wanted to in January.

Certainly one of the downsides to this process is the inability to make plans. Hope you receive your passports soon as some consolation and maybe book a different trip and save the snowboarding (and money!) for another year?

I also cannot wait to be done with this process.

@dcruz - how did you request your passports back? Did you request them before or after you received your COA? Thanks!

@Plum - Thanks for your kindness. I hope your RC comes soon and on a separate card!

sofia.d.c wrote: @Plum - Thanks for your kindness. I hope your RC comes soon and on a separate card!

Just my 2 cents...I haven't read of anyone being asked to send their passports back, in order to put the RC sticker in. Everyone seems to get a freestanding ISD (which I was kind of against to begin with - but realised that seeing my passport expires in 2015, a freestanding ISD means it'll just be easier in the long run!). Today is my 115th day of waiting...I'm well and truly over half way there!

sofia.d.c wrote:@Plum - Thanks for your kindness. I hope your RC comes soon and on a separate card!

My PRC you mean! (Hope) I'm not reliving the horrors of 2007 again! Back then I waited nearly 8 months for my RC.

[quote="sofia.d.c"]@dcruz - how did you request your passports back? Did you request them before or after you received your COA? Thanks!

After i received my COA, filled in return of document request form,as compare to others i think mine was quick. I thought it will take a month but received in just 8 days that was surprising,on top of that i didn't give them any reason.

Now just waiting for RC,i hope i get it soon

I have received my passport today. There was only one SD envelope, could you recommend should I send them another SD envelope for the rest of the docs? I don't want my RC TO BE lost

----------------------------------------
EEA2 Application sent:26/11/2012
Received by UKBA: 27/11/2012
COA received: 02/12/2012
Passports requested: 27.01/13 (email)
Passports received: 31/01/2013
RC received: TBA

BuTanka wrote:I have received my passport today. There was only one SD envelope, could you recommend should I send them another SD envelope for the rest of the docs? I don't want my RC TO

Do you mean you sent a SD envelope with your application, and they have returned requested passport in it?

When I sent my application, I included a SD envelope. I then requested our passports back. I eventually had to send a letter requesting the passports (after waiting 4 weeks), and included a second SD envelope. When the passports finally arrived, they were in a SD envelope - but not one of the envelopes I had provided! I had also sent an envelope with a first class stamp with my application, for them to send my COA. They didn't use that either! So far I have paid for 4 SD envelopes + 1 first class stamp - and they haven't used any.

I think you should save your money and not bother sending them another SD envelope!

flipper77 wrote: I think you should save your money and not bother sending them another SD envelope!

thank you, Flipper
MY passports were in SD envelope with my hand writing.

They did not use them? But how do you know it? Have you written your address on them and the envelope that they sent you had another hand writing?

Well, I guess I won't bother really. First class is not too bad anyway I believe that is what they are supposed to use if they don't have SD envelope

BuTanka wrote:

flipper77 wrote: I think you should save your money and not bother sending them another SD envelope!

thank you, Flipper
MY passports were in SD envelope with my hand writing.

They did not use them? But how do you know it? Have you written your address on them and the envelope that they sent you had another hand writing?

Well, I guess I won't bother really. First class is not too bad anyway I believe that is what they are supposed to use if they don't have SD envelope

I requested my passport and they used SD envelope I enclosed with my application,but I requested for another document,they sent by 2nd class but while waiting for the document,as I needed it urgently,I sent a letter with SD envelope.I hope they use the SD envelope when returning my pr and document...still waiting,will let u know.

BuTanka wrote:

flipper77 wrote: I think you should save your money and not bother sending them another SD envelope!

thank you, Flipper
MY passports were in SD envelope with my hand writing.

They did not use them? But how do you know it? Have you written your address on them and the envelope that they sent you had another hand writing?

Well, I guess I won't bother really. First class is not too bad anyway I believe that is what they are supposed to use if they don't have SD envelope

I know it wasn't mine, as it was a different envelope! I had obviously written my name and address on the envelopes I sent to them, and also kept the tracking numbers, which still haven't been used.

renu wrote: I requested my passport and they used SD envelope I enclosed with my application,but I requested for another document,they sent by 2nd class but while waiting for the document,as I needed it urgently,I sent a letter with SD envelope.I hope they use the SD envelope when returning my pr and document...still waiting,will let u know.

Thank you, Renu. 2 class might take too long.

Well isn't this interesting!

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=ca ... GZO4SVyYOA

Hi everyone!
I am also in the same boat.
I requsted me wife passport back as she have to travel really soon i ask it on 19 jan and i havn't recieve anything yet.
i sent 2 letters to the RODR email and another email to the Liverpool one but havn't got any answer.
I also call the HO few days ago and the lady told me she can't help me and it is in process and to try to send another email.
Please help me what should i do? my wife have to travel and it's urgent!!
What should i do?

Contact your MP! They have been quite helpful to others.

How many days have passed since you sent it to the Liverpool address specifically? Did you fill in the form?

I sent a request last Monday and haven't heard back yet.

i sent it first to the RODR on the 19 jan and bcs i havn't recieve nothing i sent the email to the liverpool only on the 30 jan.
how i contact the mp? and with who i have to speak their?

You sent it to the wrong address the first time, so I wouldn't count that time. You must wait at least ten days from sending it to the Liverpool email address before contacting anyone else. Did you submit the return of documents form?

Yes i submit it. and in the application form they ask to send it to the RODR.
so why you say that this is not the correct one?

The return of documents form is a general form that EVERYONE must use, no matter what kind of visa they're applying for. The RODR address is the same - it's for everyone. The Liverpool address is SPECIFICALLY for EEA applications, which you see under the "return of documents EEA" webpage.

benben wrote:i sent it first to the RODR on the 19 jan and bcs i havn't recieve nothing i sent the email to the liverpool only on the 30 jan.
how i contact the mp? and with who i have to speak their?

Hi benben,

As Sofia pointed out, the correct email address for EEA applicants is different to the main email address - the UKBA haven't really made it very clear at all. Seeing you sent your request on 30/01, this means you should receive your passport/s by 13/02. If you haven't heard anything by then, contact your local MP's office - use this site to find the contact info: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

Hope that's some help!

sofia.d.c wrote:Well isn't this interesting!

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=ca ... GZO4SVyYOA

Hey Sofia...this link doesn't seem to work - what is it about?