Page 1 of 1
Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 7:01 pm
by Eeaplz
Hi,
I'm a US citizen currently on Tier 2 ICT. I have a residence card application in process on the basis of my spouse who's an Italian citizen. I asked the Home Office to send back my US passport, my Tier 2 BRP (valid for 1 more year) and my wife's Italian ID but they only returned my passport, not my BRP or her ID. They included a note saying that if I travel abroad I must apply for an EEA FP to return to the UK.
I don't understand this because I already have a separate status (Tier 2 ICT) which continues to be valid. Any ideas why they would hold onto my BRP? And will I encounter any problems boarding flights back to the UK? I've never been asked for proof of visa when flying back from continental Europe, but US airlines often check visas. Do I really need to get an EEA FP from outside the UK or am I good if I bring enough docs supporting my status as spouse of a qualified EEA national? Thanks!!
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:06 am
by Eeaplz
Monday morning bump?
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:40 am
by vinny
Eeaplz wrote: ↑Fri Mar 09, 2018 7:01 pm
They included a note saying that if I travel abroad I must apply for an EEA FP to return to the UK.
They may be
confused, unless they
curtail your Tier 2 (ICT) leave.
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 11:08 am
by Eeaplz
Do you think I should inform them, or submit another request to return my BRP? Maybe I should have waited longer to request my docs too. I just did my biometrics last week and don't have a COA yet, but I needed my docs back in case I need to travel on short notice.
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 1:07 pm
by lunallena
Eeaplz wrote: ↑Mon Mar 12, 2018 11:08 am
Do you think I should inform them, or submit another request to return my BRP? Maybe I should have waited longer to request my docs too. I just did my biometrics last week and don't have a COA yet, but I needed my docs back in case I need to travel on short notice.
I applied under the same circumstances as you did(except my Tier2 was general). I requested my documents back (passport and BRP) after I submitted my biometrics and received my CoA. They returned my BPR without any problem. Maybe it's worth writing to them to their Liverpool or Bristol office to ask for clarification on why your Tier2 was not returned.
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 10:43 am
by Eeaplz
Good news! I enquired and they sent back my BRP as well as my wife's Italian ID card. I guess I was too fast in requesting my docs initially.
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:18 pm
by ayaniqda
Hi
I wanted to know if you were able to travel with your old BRP and passport without any problem back to the UK? My husband is in a similar situation, he has a valid Tier4 RC and we are a planning to apply for his EEA FM RC but we have summer travel plans outside the UK and we are wondering if he would be able to use his current BRP (once he requests it back from HO) to travel and return home to the UK? Do you mind sharing your experience?
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:02 pm
by Eeaplz
I didn't end up needing to travel right away, but I have a trip next week so we'll see. Don't anticipate any problems, my BRP continues to be valid. Even if my EEA-FM application was denied I could continue living in the UK until my Tier 2 expires. I suppose when I re-enter the border agent will see my application on file, so I might have to answer some extra questions.
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:25 pm
by ayaniqda
Thanks. My only concern is if his EEA FM RC gets issued while we are away from the UK leading to the cancellation of the old BRP on which he will be coming to the UK with.
Do you mind letting us know here how it went for you after your trip? It would be super helpful

Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:31 pm
by Eeaplz
Sure, I'll let you know how it goes. I believe you're allowed to hold both statuses (EEA RC and UK visa), don't see any reason they'd curtail the tier 4 visa as part of the EEA approval.
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 6:25 pm
by Eeaplz
I was able to re-enter the UK using my tier 2 BRP. No concerns/questions about my outstanding RC application.
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 7:13 pm
by doctor1989
Eeaplz wrote: ↑Thu Apr 26, 2018 6:25 pm
I was able to re-enter the UK using my tier 2 BRP. No concerns/questions about my outstanding RC application.
Same!
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 11:49 am
by pen123
I am also in a similar situation that I used that have a tier 2 visa and then applied for EEA2. I now have a residence card but home office did not return my BRP. I called to and asked but they said I cannot be under both European and immigration rules. That seems to contradict what I have heard in the forum here.
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 12:25 pm
by Eeaplz
pen123 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 26, 2018 11:49 am
I called to and asked but they said I cannot be under both European and immigration rules. That seems to contradict what I have heard in the forum here.
I believe that's incorrect advice, and it's worth complaining to the Home Office about it.
Re: Valid Tier 2, travel during EEA-FM application?
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 2:28 pm
by secret.simon
Eeaplz wrote: ↑Fri Oct 26, 2018 12:25 pm
I believe that's incorrect advice, and it's worth complaining to the Home Office about it.
Also see
this thread.