Re-entering the UK while application in process

[splanky]

I recently received my passport back after getting my COA for my Derivative Residence Card application. I only requested the passports, not the rest of the documents. The letter that came with the passports has made me rethink my travel plans. It basically says that to re-enter the UK if I leave I'll need to apply for a Family Permit. How can I do this while the Home Office still has all the rest of my documents? Why do they even give you the option to take just the passports if you need everything to get back into the country again?

Has anyone else been in this situation? What did you do?

As I see it my options are:

1) Don't travel.
2) Request the rest of the documents and apply for a Family Permit at my destination (Amsterdam).
3) Return via Ireland and avoid UK immigration
4) Ask for another Code 1A stamp at the border.

Option 1 is possible, but not preferred. Part of the reason I want to move to the UK is for my daughter to spend more time with her father and Oma in the Netherlands, and it makes it difficult if I can't travel with her to visit them. Not impossible, but I want to go visit too, and it costs a bit to send a child unaccompanied.

Option 2 makes me scared. I have had two family permits refused due to Home Office incompetence and lack of knowledge of their own laws. I don't want to get stranded in a foreign country if it is refused again.

Option 3 - As Australians we should have no problems visiting Ireland for a few days, and friends we can stay with, but it's another expense.

Option 4 got us detained for five hours when we first entered the UK, so that also scares me. For this and option 2 I'd need to get all the documents again and I assume get updated bank statements.

Thoughts?

Splanky

[Jambo]

Don't read too much into the letter. It is a standard letter which is not very accurate. The comment about the EEA Permit is for visa nationals who might find it difficult to travel without one. With an Australian passport, you don't have that issue. The CoA is enough to present to the IO at the border to get you in. No need to worry.

[splanky]

Oh thanks! That is good to know.

I think I'd take copies of the documents held by the Home Office just in case.

Do you know what the IO would do under these circumstances? Not stamp my passport? Add another Code 1A stamp?

Splanky

[Jambo]

Another code 1A.