Interview on British Embassy in Tirana

[anbec]

Hi,

it seems all of us are in a very similar situation. I am an EEA/EU national, exactly from Czech, but I am living and working in London. I met here with my now husband. We got married on 28th January after they removed him from here 14th December 2007 because he was illegal immigrant and stood here for 5years like that. He had never lied about his identity.

We applied for an EEA/EU Family permit. He was on British Embassy 5th February and they told him to come around 15pm for a date and time of an interview. I thought that interview is not neccessary if you provide all documents and staffs. When he arrived there that day, the Albanian worker on Embassy told him that all papers are fine and gave him date of interview even though on 29th March, we found out in next 30minutes that it is Saturday, so he went back and they gave him 28th March. Is that normal? Wait 39 working days? And why he need to go on the interview when he was told all documentation was ok? I'll have to come as well he was told. Do you know which questions the will ask? And is some way how to get earlier date? Because when I wrote to embassy with plea for an earlier date, they just answered they are fully booked.

I am so miserable now with my hubby. We saw each other just for 6 days and 4 of them was with us my mum. And that was after 1 month and half and now we suppose to wait next 2 months and plus then some time for make a decision. I am just starting losing my mind how they can do it to people.

Aneta x

[mirnat]

Aneta,

I was in a similar position to you but u mustn't give up hope and the time will pass quickly when u will be together again, u will see!

My husband was in Albania for a total of 4 months waiting to get his spouse visa. During that time I was back in England waiting for him. I saw him 3 times during the 4 months and one time went for six weeks without seeing him! He got his interview date nearly one month after handing in his documents and then after his interview he was told that they needed to carry out some further checks and that they would call him - they did call him, nearly 3 months later! Ours was a fairly straightforward case, I thought but you just need to have patience with them at the British Embassy in Tirana! My brother in law got his interview date also 4 weeks later but he got his visa on the same day as his interview so was only in Albania for six weeks!

Good luck with it all and let us here at the Board know how it goes!

[anbec]

Many thanks for your advice and opinion. I really appreciate that. I am feeling a bit better when I am meeting here people who are in the same or similar situation that I am not alone.
I am just nervous, unfortunately that is my temper and impatient sometimes. Especially with silly officers. They have taken my hubby from me on 14th December 2007 and we have seen each other from that time just once because of marriage papers procedure in Tirana. It was just one week and I am missing him again so much. Exactly from the time when I sat on seating in the plane.
Now I am looking for ticket to Tirana to go there for Easter and stay there till our interview on 28th March but I am so much scared now from the new rules and because of the officers there. I heard they can be really tough and bad to people. We were told our documentation is absolutely fine but even though we have to go to an interview probably because we are not such a long married. I am still hoping we will maybe get an interview earlier or we will get the visa on the day of interview. We would be the happiest people in the world.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

There are no new rules that apply to your case. It is just Directive 2004/38/EC. I strongly suggest you use the time to read through all of the material at http://eumovement.wordpress.com/directive-200438ec/ . You should also contact http://ec.europa.eu/citizensrights/ with details of your case.

They are very entitled to interview your husband. They will ask about his immigration history, about your relationship and whether you are working in the UK. Do not lie - tell them the truth. Take your time at the interview - take notes of what they ask and of your answers. Make sure you get the name of the person interviewing you and a case reference number. Take time to show all of your material to the person, even if they are not interested.

Your husband primarily needs to take all material that demonstrates that you have a 5 year relationship. Statements from joint bank accounts. Mail address to you both. Mail addressed to you each at the same address. Council tax bills together. Records that you took holidays together. Anything "together".

[toni]

Hi all,
New at this site, a quick thank you to all of you for posting here and sharing info on whats going on. I am in similar situation, my wife had an interview end of January and was told that they will contact her and this takes at least 1 month…
Any idea how long does it take for the embassy to contact you after the interview and do they have any time limit? We started the process in beginning of November and all of this has beent too long and quite stressful . Wish everyone who is going through this all the best.
Thx, Toni