EEA4 Advice

[theirpuppet]

I applied in late September for the EEA4; they returned my application for insufficient evidence and so I resubmitted. I just received the notification letter explaining that they have received my application submitted '12 October'. My wife and I have already made travel plans for Christmas, our flight departs on 18 December.

1) What's the current decision / processing time for EEA4?

2) When should I request my passport back, so that I can be sure I have it in time for my flight on 18 Dec?

3) What's the best method for requesting the passport back? Telephone or email?

4) Can they refuse to give me back my passport?


Thanks in advance!

[86ti]

That's a topic discussed nearly on a daily basis here. Have a look here for example.

1) see above
2) ASAP
3) http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucit ... n/#header3
4) No.

[theirpuppet]

That's a topic discussed nearly on a daily basis here. Have a look here for example.

1) see above
2) ASAP
3) http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucit ... n/#header3
4) No.

Regarding #1)
Thanks! I have reviewed other forum posts and find people responding with different wait times throughout the past few years.

Regarding #2) Thanks! I didn't want to spook them or derail any part of the process. They do say that they'll process the application whilst the passport is back in my hands. Though I imagine this means that the file will sit in a warehouse in the same stack, not moving for months, regardless of contents.

Regarding #3)
Thanks! I had seen other people state they've called even though they had more than 10 days before date of travel.

Regarding #4)
Yay! UKBA mentioned that they might not honor requests to send back the passport within the 10 day period. That worried me enough to wonder if they would just hold on to the passport and say 'oops, sorry we meant to send it back earlier'.

[86ti]

Actually, some people here have claimed that it took them quite some effort and time (multiple calls, requests in writing, etc.) to eventually get the passport back. Hence my suggestion to ask for it back ASAP. If they finally manage to dig the passport out of the pile in the warehouse (or stack or whatever organisational arrangement they prefer) they can just verify it on the spot and make a copy or ask for it back later (not sure if this is still done).

[theirpuppet]

I'd like everyone to know that I emailed them (at the address specified on the website) and they returned my passport very quickly. No problems there.

And, for reference, they sent a letter with the passports informing me not to return the passports until requested by a case officer.