Immigrationboards.com

Has anyone recently had success with heading straight to the border with your documents instead of getting a family permit?

I understand that the family permit before arrival is the best way, but humour me here.

If you have had success with 1a, please let us know what circumstances you arrived in and what documents you provided?

I would especially be interested in hearing from members that were entering under the surrender singh route.

After having two family permits refused due to failure to correctly apply the law to my case, I was advised by my migration agent and my lawyer to enter the UK as a non-visa national. I did not ask for a Code 1A stamp, as being an Australian I can enter for up to six months anyway. However, I was detained and questioned. I had all the documents with my anyway, as I has planned to apply for a Derivative Residence Card after entry. During the five hours of detention my documents were taken away and scrutinised. Eventually they were all returned, except for the passports, and I was granted temporary admission and told I had to return to Heathrow at the end of the week for another interview.

It turned out they decided to admit me without another interview, and I collected my passport later that week with the Code 1A stamp.

It was an incredibly stressful experience. Don't expect it to be easy. In hindsight I should have probably asked for a Code 1A stamp straight off rather than entering as a non-visa national, but I was advised not to do this.

I would say sort it out before you get to the border if at all possible.

Splanky

Ouch, 5 hours seems a bit crazy.

Was your partner with you or were you alone?

I am essentially in the same situation.

My EEA rights don't derive from a partner. I'm the primary carer of an EEA minor child (seven years old). She was effectively detained with me.

Splanky