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Hi there.
Recently, for the second time, I applied for the EEA permanent resident card. The cost is £65. I still haven't heard from the Home Office, but today I noticed from my bank statement that the amount mentioned has been taken from my account. That didn't happen the first time when I failed. Does is it mean that this time it is likely that things have gone well? Or maybe the first time you apply, if you fail is free, and from the second you pay the fee regardless of the result.
Please let me know from your experience.
Many thanks.

You are paying for them to consider the application. The payment being taken is a sign that they have received your application and have started to process it. It is certainly not a sign of success.

ohara wrote:You are paying for them to consider the application. The payment being taken is a sign that they have received your application and have started to process it. It is certainly not a sign of success.

Thanks for your reply. But why that didn't happen the first time then? Maybe they forgot and I got lucky for not being charged?

Perhaps your application was refused because they couldn't take the payment the first time

ohara wrote:Perhaps your application was refused because they couldn't take the payment the first time

No, there were other reasons, and payment was not mentioned.

walkthisway wrote:...

Does is it mean that this time it is likely that things have gone well?

...

It probably means nothing more than HO have taken the payment.

I went back to my previous bank statements and I actually paid even the first time. So I was mistaken. I obviously think that it's unfair if in the end you get nothing. They should charge you only if you get the card in the end. Funny that they take the money first thing as they receive the material and then make you wait 2 months for their decision.

walkthisway wrote:I went back to my previous bank statements and I actually paid even the first time. So I was mistaken. I obviously think that it's unfair if in the end you get nothing. They should charge you only if you get the card in the end. Funny that they take the money first thing as they receive the material and then make you wait 2 months for their decision.

Same amount of HO effort to refuse or deny. Immigration is cost neutral to the taxpayer, only fair the application pays the costs, and also it deters those who apply and apply and apply again to string out leave whilst they reach out for the big prize.

walkthisway wrote:I went back to my previous bank statements and I actually paid even the first time. So I was mistaken. I obviously think that it's unfair if in the end you get nothing. They should charge you only if you get the card in the end. Funny that they take the money first thing as they receive the material and then make you wait 2 months for their decision.

So you think it's fair that HO should not get any money because they refuse an application which they have spent 2 months processing? That's not how the world works.

Like I said you are not paying for residence documentation, you are paying for consideration of an application for residence documentation.

These things are not discretionary applications - there are binary requirements - you either meet them and your application is successful or you do not and your application is refused. It's black and white.

2 months processing? Please..

Mine took over 9 weeks, some are taking longer.

ohara wrote:Mine took over 9 weeks, some are taking longer.

9 man weeks, or 9 weeks elapsed time? I rather think the latter.

The declared cost for processing EEA document applications is £86 for each type. It's in the impact assessment for the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2016.

I'm surprised costs are so uniform.