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Hi Averyone

I have applied for settlement as a NON- eea member of an eea citizen, after 5 years of marriage (we are still married.)

Prior to my application, I asked around and also read on forums, that if I submit both applications (EEA3 and EEA4) together, the response tend to be quicker, we therefore sent both applications with all the necessary documents: 5 years worth of payslips and P60's for both of us, 5 years worth of proofs (bills, statements. letters..etc), plus the rest..marriage cert and trasnaltions...etc. in all about 3.5 - 4 Kilogrammes worth of paper work, paid a fortune to send and include a return special delivery envelope...

25 days later, my wife received her ID back and a confirmation of permanent residence in the form of a residence card, in the same letter, I have received a certificate of application, a letter, to say that the documents will be returned once a decision is made, so I thought maybe another few weeks and they will send me back my documents.

It has now been 2 months since I have received the certificate of application and that my wife's application was validated and confirmed.

I know they say it may take up to a maximum of 6 months, but when I look at reality the picture tells a different story. I know of cases through friends, colleagues, where the EU office in liverpool, responded within 4-6 weeks to applicants that originally entered the UK illegally with a fake ID, they then got married then applied for ILR after 3- 5 years of residency, and therefore I'm all confused, they got all the legal documents they need otherwise they woulkd have asked for more, my wife and I worked non stop for all 5 years, and now, they make us feel as if they are promoting illegality rather than legality.

Please advise if you know of any possible explanation, so far I have missed few important dates with my family and family in law, comes christmas, I will simply withdraw my passport, there is no way they carry on to caging me in like this, both me and my wife have family abroad, and without a passport, it is no-sense.
And even in case of an emergency they can only send it back within 5 days, there are urgent things that cannot wait this long, ridiculous.

Please advise, many thanks

Apologies if the message is too long..


Thanks

You have posted in the UK immigration forums. The correct place is the EEA forum but I guess the moderator will move your post.

Your timelines seem to match other people experience. Check this timelines.

Don't know about the stories you hear but most non-EEA nationals applications (for Residence Card or PR confirmation) are taking 3-4 months on average now. This used to be 6-8 months a year ago.

You can always ask for your passport back. It will not affect your application. It might take up to 10 working days to get the passport back.

BTW - 3-4 kg of documents sounds way too much. It doesn't support your application to have unnecessary/redundant documents. The other day another member posted that his application which got approved weighted 181 grams.

Jambo wrote:You have posted in the UK immigration forums. The correct place is the EEA forum but I guess the moderator will move your post.

Apologies, to the mods.

Jambo wrote:BTW - 3-4 kg of documents sounds way too much. It doesn't support your application to have unnecessary/redundant documents. The other day another member posted that his application which got approved weighted 181 grams.

waw...I don't know how this Guy has done to prove 5 years of employment and residence for both applicants in a form of payslips, p60's, utility bills, Bank stats...etc, but all the docs we submitted were necessary.

And thanks for your reply. guess will just have to be patient....at least till 10 days before xmas...we'll see.

Why do need to send both payslips and P60? Utility bills & bank statements?

The EEA national 5 x P60's can prove exercising treaty rights. The non-EEA 5x P60 can prove residence. Alternatively, 5 x annual council tax bills can prove residency. How much would 10 pieces of paper weight?

Jambo wrote:Why do need to send both payslips and P60? Utility bills & bank statements?

The EEA national 5 x P60's can prove exercising treaty rights. The non-EEA 5x P60 can prove residence. Alternatively, 5 x annual council tax bills can prove residency. How much would 10 pieces of paper weight?

some times people just want to make sure the HO doesn't return around and asking for more stuff I guess. I made sure I aways have 2 forms of proof for one thing just in case.

Mine application sent only 3rd Nov, but holding my breath for Christmas. Not sure if I should request passport back.

One thing, if a joint EEA3 and 4 application sent, what do you guys put on the evenlope? EEA4 Application or EEA3 Application or both? I am starting wondering, because I only put EEA4 on the evenlope and maybe that goes to the EEA4 team instead hence slowed down the whole process I might just over worried

lmuee08 wrote:some times people just want to make sure the HO doesn't return around and asking for more stuff I guess. I made sure I aways have 2 forms of proof for one thing just in case.

I just got a feeling people are providing monthly utility bills + bank statements to cover the 5 years. For me that would probably mean more than 100 pages. It just doesn't make sense. The guidelines suggest those as proof but it is not a requirement and is not necessary. There are simpler and lighter options.

One thing, if a joint EEA3 and 4 application sent, what do you guys put on the evenlope? EEA4 Application or EEA3 Application or both? I am starting wondering, because I only put EEA4 on the evenlope and maybe that goes to the EEA4 team instead hence slowed down the whole process I might just over worried

Don't worry. All European application are first processed in a central location. It doesn't go to a EEA4 dedicated team.

Jambo wrote:Don't worry. All European application are first processed in a central location. It doesn't go to a EEA4 dedicated team.

Well mine i sent odd documents proving 5 years residence, ireally hope the this team dont refuse it..

cus i sent credit report to prove 5 years residnce + court judgement for DV + 5 p60 for eea national + payslips for eea national + divorce certificate + marriage certificate + 4 years worth of employement history for me..

i am not sure about medical SAR report showing surgery attendance.. i have that but havent sent it yet..

i explained that i could provide anything prior to DV incident..