Applying for registration certificate and residence card

[AmirK]

Hi there,

I am looking for assistance with applying for registration certificate and residence card.
Here is my story:
- I am an EEA national (Austrian) and my spouse in a Non-EEA national
- We entered the UK together 3 months ago- my spouse with an EEA family permit that was issued outside the UK in mid-August 2015 and is valid for 6 months (until mid-February 2016).
- My spouse is working and I am job hunting at the moment.

We understood that in order to have permanent right to live and work in the UK, my spouse (as a non-EEA national) must apply for a residence card, and can do so only once I have obtained a registration certificate as a qualified person, hence proved that I am exercising treaty rights and am allowed to reside in the UK.

I have a few questions and hope that you can help:
1. What is the best way to do this?
2. Is job seeker status a strong enough evidence to support my application for a registration certificate as a qualified person?
3. Can we submit both applications at the same time or must we wait for my application to be approved first?
4. How long does the process take?

Any assistance and information would be helpful as we couldn't find clear information about this.
Thank you all in advance

[alex1128]

We understood that in order to have permanent right to live and work in the UK, my spouse (as a non-EEA national) must apply for a residence card, and can do so only once I have obtained a registration certificate as a qualified person, hence proved that I am exercising treaty rights and am allowed to reside in the UK.

Just to clarify He doesnt need to wait until you obtain your registration certificate. You can send both application for you registration certificate and his resident card at the same time .

1 - I think since your husband already has a family permit you shouldn't expect that much trouble, so in my opinion but the best way to do would be that you get a full-time job as you are the one considered as his sponsor which means they don't really care whether he is working or no while considering his RC application. However It is important that he works and aquires payslips and P60s in order to claim his right of Permanent Residence inn 5 Years Time.

2 - I can't really qualify it as strong evidence, but I have seen people here applying as job seekers and then sending their fresh contract and payslips as soon as they get a new job . in the end they got their RC and RC with no problem. So sending your initial application as a job seeker shouldnt be a problem .
Check this out : https://www.gov.uk/eea-registration-certificate

3 - Yes You can .

4 - the application could take Up to 6 months from the date of submission according to EU LAW, but the standard time we have seen with recent application is between 4 and 5 months.

[AmirK]

Thanks for the quick reply!! It is very helpful!
A few more questions:
1. How do I submit both applications together?
2. In the EEA (QP) form, one of the requirements for proving that I am a job seeker is evidence of registration with Jobcentre Plus. I couldn't find any information about Jobcentre Plus, any idea what to do?
3. Will our passports be held by the Home Office throughout the entire process? What do we do if we need them before receiving answers?

Thanks again!

[alex1128]

Thanks for the quick reply!! It is very helpful!
A few more questions:
1. How do I submit both applications together?
2. In the EEA (QP) form, one of the requirements for proving that I am a job seeker is evidence of registration with Jobcentre Plus. I couldn't find any information about Jobcentre Plus, any idea what to do?
3. Will our passports be held by the Home Office throughout the entire process? What do we do if we need them before receiving answers?

Thanks again!

1 - You just print 2 copies of the application form and then fill up one for and one for your spouse and send them along with all supporting documents in one envelope to the address stated in the application form.

2 - not sure how to do this you will probably need to go to one of the jobcentres they are everywhere and ask about it. But why do you wanna do this??? Finding a job is very easy and makes your case less complicated.
3 - you can request your passports after your receive the COA or even after the biometrics so your passport could be held for around a month.

[AmirK]

Great!!
Thank you so much for all the useful information and assistance you provided.
I hope it will go well!
Thanks again.

[AmirK]

Hi again
Thanks for all the help so far, we are almost ready to submit our applications for my registration card (EEA national) and my spouses residence card. We have a few clarifying technical questions, so any help would be appreciated!
1a. I have a permanent job since the beginning of the year and am applying as a Worker - the only thing I have now is the declaration from work and contract. How can I submit my payslips as I get them, to strengthen my case? I saw you need 3 months of payslips to qualify...
1b. Does this proof go with my spouse's application or mine or both?
2. Both me and my spouse need to send in my passport - if we apply in the same envelope, do we just put all the documents together in the envelope and each fill in a document checklist? Will they understand the same documents relate to both of us?
3. Should my spouse (non-EEA) also include her work payslips as additional info in her application?
4. How would you actually submit the form? 2 complete applications in one envelope with the supporting documents or 2 separate envelopes placed in 1 envelope?
We need to send everything in this week, so thanks for your help!

[alex1128]

Hi again
Thanks for all the help so far, we are almost ready to submit our applications for my registration card (EEA national) and my spouses residence card. We have a few clarifying technical questions, so any help would be appreciated!
1a. I have a permanent job since the beginning of the year and am applying as a Worker - the only thing I have now is the declaration from work and contract. How can I submit my payslips as I get them, to strengthen my case? I saw you need 3 months of payslips to qualify...
1b. Does this proof go with my spouse's application or mine or both?
2. Both me and my spouse need to send in my passport - if we apply in the same envelope, do we just put all the documents together in the envelope and each fill in a document checklist? Will they understand the same documents relate to both of us?
3. Should my spouse (non-EEA) also include her work payslips as additional info in her application?
4. How would you actually submit the form? 2 complete applications in one envelope with the supporting documents or 2 separate envelopes placed in 1 envelope?
We need to send everything in this week, so thanks for your help!

1- Since you have just started work the Contract signed by your employer should do and you can forward payslips to them later However I would suggest that you wait for at least one payslip before submiting your application as It's important that they see the money coming in your bank account on the sbank statement you send !

2-3-4 - after filling up the application form just put them together with the supporting evidence in the same envelope

P.S: In the payment options do not write down your bank details as there are chances they will return back your application saying there was a problem with the payment ... the most secure way is to send 2 postal order of 65 pounds each with the application !