Immigrationboards.com

hi guys,

i have read a few things on his forum regarding this issue, but i still don't know what is the final answer to this question!!
so for RC holders, coming back to the UK, are we taking the EU line or the International line and fill the entry card!!!????

can someone give a solid answer???

Thanks

With a RC you are allowed to use the EU line, and you are not required to fill in a landing card. The Immigration Officer should not stamp your passport.

Having said that, at the place where I (and my wife) arrive most of the time, the international line is often so much shorter (or not existent at all) that we voluntarily choose it anyway. If you have a competent IO they let us through and give as helpful advice that next time we could use the EU line, to which I then respond with a smile... Sometimes the IO is not so competent and I need to explain that a landing card and a stamp is not required, and in extreme cases of incompetency I ask for the Chief Immigration Officer.

I am sceptical about the ease with which this occurs - an IO sees an individual with what, on initial observation, looks like a non-EU passport approaching from the EU queue, the natural reaction is to say "Go join the non-EU queue!" before one has a chance to explain.

Don't know if I want to have to do that each time I go through the UK border. I thought I would but don't think i'll bother anymore if i'm travelling alone, unless the non-EU queue is extensive.

When travelling with my non EEA partner I am also ready to let rip when the IO starts going on about a landing card: 'he doesn't require a landing card or a stamp as he has an EEA family permit' I chant, it usually rings a bell, but if it doesn't, and they get bothersome, I simply demand to see the Chief Immigration Officer, that normally leads to them asking the IO across from them whether I'm right or not.. Haven't had any problems so far, but I'm more than prepared to kick up a fuss, and I think everyone should.

Last time when i was entering UK the IO at manchester airport told me I could have entered through EU line. I waited 1.5 hrs in the normal queue and was told by the IO that i could have entered through EU line as I have the same rights as my spouse.

Not all IOs know it

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... giardaella

Wow... That didn't go well, did it?
Correct me if i am wrong
I don't think the Rights attached to RC/PR are tempered in any way by joining different queue, rather its just organisational arrangement with appropriate qualified staff at appropriate desks....

But what is the purpose of filling in the landing card, what they do with those cards later on?
Stamp in the passport is quite understandable...

Good point about the arrangement but it's more of a discrimination thing which the Directive expressly attempts to eradicate. U cannot ask an eea national/non-eea fam memb to do anyth which u wouldnt ask the brits.

As regards the cards, many people who have requested their files through SAR have said they are used as info on your previous travel history and kept with ur file, so i presume in a long run it's just for evidence purposes of your intentions when in the uk

jackEM wrote:Wow... That didn't go well, did it?
Correct me if i am wrong
I don't think the Rights attached to RC/PR are tempered in any way by joining different queue, rather its just organisational arrangement with appropriate qualified staff at appropriate desks....

But what is the purpose of filling in the landing card, what they do with those cards later on?
Stamp in the passport is quite understandable...