Travel during application process

[spencerand]

I am an American citizen married to an Italian citizen. We are living in the UK, and I am here on the six month EEA family visa.

We will be travelling in about a month and I applied for the EEA2 permit about a week ago. I know this takes a long time to process, but I am in possession of a second American passport (for a previous job) and was planning on travelling with this document.

I spoke to the Home Office and they said that this should be fine, and when I get back to the UK I should show them my letter from the home office showing I have applied for the EEA2 as well as a copy of my old visa and marriage certificate and it should be fine.

Does anyone know anything about this? This seems to be the one category they don't have covered. I would be really upset if they didn't let me in. There is always the option that when I get back to the UK I could tell them I a tourist. My second passport has a different number on it!

Any advice?

[SYH]

As an American, you have to look pretty dodgy for them to not let you in.
As for a copy of the visa, this does not impress them but the letter does and per their rules on the website it states that you can use the letter with a different but valid passport. For instance, the prior passport could be expired so this is no biggie for you or them. They still may growl and try to be pedantic and tell you to transfer the visa to the new passport when in fact, you are getting the first one processed. Just nod your head like a dumb blond, even if you are a brunnette and go along with them. I get the impression that the old visa is expired so it is important to show proof that you are in the process of an application.

[spencerand]

Sounds like it should be okay, though I'm sure they'll be total assholes about it at the border.

Both of my passports are still valid. My 6 month EEA family permit expires on August 16th and we are travelling on September 1st and get back on the 16th.

I sent in my application on July 30th. I just hope I get my letter from the home office before we travel. They said it usually comes 2-3 weeks after the application is received.