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As you know my EEA Family Permit expires on the 22nd of August and I am about to hand in my application for a Residence Card. Unmarried partner of a Belgian national for 5 years, cohabiting for 3.

My partner has just asked me as he is reticent to send off his ID card without knowing the following:

Can I at the same time of my application include a letter requesting the card back, provided I include an addressed envelope? Am I able to request my passport back as I will need to be travelling with him, we go back to SA for 3-4 months of every year from October to January... I will not have a visa in my passport to get back into the UK, will a letter showing my COA be enough to get back in? Can i get a family permit whilst in SA to return?

If my visa expires on the 22nd am I legally bound to return back home to renew the family permit? I know I have asked before but just want to want 100% sure, how often can you apply for the EEA FP?

Just this is my first application and really quite anxious to get it right.

Also with regards to his health insurance, will it be enough evidence for the UKBA if I send a copy of his medical health insurance membership card from BUPA, as he is economically self sufficient and I have enough evidence of this.

I really would appreciate your help.

Thanks and kind regards
nvr

How you can request your passport back is explained here.

The CoA may suffice for the border police but how do you want to get on the plane? Another EEA FP may be safer but think in advance how you want to deal with supporting documents.

nvr7626 wrote:If my visa expires on the 22nd am I legally bound to return back home to renew the family permit? I know I have asked before but just want to want 100% sure, how often can you apply for the EEA FP?

You do not have a 'visa' but an EEA family permit. As long as you have an outstanding application you can legally stay in the UK. You can apply as many times as you want.

nvr7626 wrote:Can I at the same time of my application include a letter requesting the card back, provided I include an addressed envelope? Am I able to request my passport back as I will need to be travelling with him, we go back to SA for 3-4 months of every year from October to January

Yes. Although I would follow up with another request to the HO just in case. Please note that it can take up to a month until the application in entered into the system. It would be difficult for the HO to locate your passport before then.

... I will not have a visa in my passport to get back into the UK, will a letter showing my COA be enough to get back in?

Would be enough to pass border control in the UK. No enough to board the aircraft in SA. The airline is likely to refuse to let you board the aircraft if you are a visa national.

Can i get a family permit whilst in SA to return?

Yes you can.

If my visa expires on the 22nd am I legally bound to return back home to renew the family permit? I know I have asked before but just want to want 100% sure, how often can you apply for the EEA FP?

No. You don't need to leave the UK as long as your partner is exercising treaty rights. You can apply for EEA FP as many times as you wish.

Also with regards to his health insurance, will it be enough evidence for the UKBA if I send a copy of his medical health insurance membership card from BUPA, as he is economically self sufficient and I have enough evidence of this.

Should be OK as long as it shows the level of cover. If you got a letter from BUPA stating the cover, that could be used also.