EEA2 Application Timelines - ONLY 1 TOPIC - UpToDate

[doesnotcompute]

Just emailed them now, and asked them for an update. I also asked them if the application has been assigned a case reference number yet, and if so, what is it.

I doubt I'll get anywhere, but at least we are keeping the pressure on them. It's so frustrating not knowing our fate whilst we wait and wait for an answer from the Home Office.

I am seriously considering writing to my MP to persuade the HO to get the finger out. I seriously don't understand why it takes them so long, when other EU governments reportedly can issue a Residence Card a lot quicker. I can only conclude that the UK BA don't give a toss about newcomers to the UK.

[Forza_RC]

I called the HO today and they told me that it has not been allocated to a case work team!! I applied on 5th of January! Over two months!

I guess it is gonna take several months to allocate the application to a case work team!

[doesnotcompute]

This is madness!! I thought the Home Office were reducing their processing times to a couple of weeks???

[GreenCardApplicant]

Can I just ask a simple question (or two):
Once you've applied for the EEA2, can you get your passport back for traveling purposes?
What does the COA that you receive a week or two after application actually say?
I will be applying for an EEA2 in a few months and was wondering about these practicalities..

[wet26]

This is madness!! I thought the Home Office were reducing their processing times to a couple of weeks???

Where did this thought come from?

[Forza_RC]

Can I just ask a simple question (or two):
Once you've applied for the EEA2, can you get your passport back for traveling purposes?
What does the COA that you receive a week or two after application actually say?
I will be applying for an EEA2 in a few months and was wondering about these practicalities..

Yes you can get your passpot back for travelling purposes.

If your expected date of travel is more than 10 days in the future, you must email your request to LiverpoolEuro.PassportReturns@UKBA.gsi.gov.uk.

If you are with a same-gender partner then you could visit:
http://www.uklgig.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2274

Good luck!

[doesnotcompute]

This is madness!! I thought the Home Office were reducing their processing times to a couple of weeks???

Where did this thought come from?

Someone on these boards reported that they got the RC after 5 weeks.

[wet26]

I've just called Liverpool and have been told that "the notes on the system suggest that they are close to making a decision" and I should know by the end of the month. He wouldn't tell me what the notes were.

He said there's nothing they can do to process it faster and I've only been waiting since the 14th of September which "is not that long as we've got people waiting since 2008".

@doesnotcompute - i think the people who are getting their RC in such a short period of time are the exception, rather than the rule.

[kafi]

today one of friend received residence permit after 4/5 months.
he made the application on 07/10/2009

so i think it takes normally 4-6 months in average not less than this. some people saying here they got rc in 5 weeks -- thats all bull-sheet i can say.

[Forza_RC]

He said there's nothing they can do to process it faster and I've only been waiting since the 14th of September which "is not that long as we've got people waiting since 2008".

...since 14th of Septmeber and which is not that long! ... yea they are right actually, applicants should min. wait 2-3 years to get a stamp!! Jesus!

[677ano]

I called the HO office and I still can not believe that they are yet to allocate a case worker to an application which I made 7 December 2009. I think I will have to complain to my MP at this stage

[677ano]

He said there's nothing they can do to process it faster and I've only been waiting since the 14th of September which "is not that long as we've got people waiting since 2008".

...since 14th of Septmeber and which is not that long! ... yea they are right actually, applicants should min. wait 2-3 years to get a stamp!! Jesus!

It is obvious they believe our life should come to a standstill or is this another form of bullying

[wet26]

I think it's pathetic for them to use the excuse that people have been waiting longer than me so I'm not going to have my case resolved sooner. Who's fault is it that other people have been waiting since 2008?

I'd love to see what is going on in that office. Can they not offer their staff some overtime to get these old cases resolved?

I remember applying for a working holiday visa several years ago at the British Consulate and I made an appointment, submitted my application form and supporting documents, had a short interview, paid the fee and collected my passport endorsed with the visa 4 hours later.

The EEA applications don't raise any revenue so perhaps they don't dedicate enough staff to get the job done in a timely manner.

[677ano]

I think it's pathetic for them to use the excuse that people have been waiting longer than me so I'm not going to have my case resolved sooner. Who's fault is it that other people have been waiting since 2008?

I'd love to see what is going on in that office. Can they not offer their staff some overtime to get these old cases resolved?

I remember applying for a working holiday visa several years ago at the British Consulate and I made an appointment, submitted my application form and supporting documents, had a short interview, paid the fee and collected my passport endorsed with the visa 4 hours later.

The EEA applications don't raise any revenue so perhaps they don't dedicate enough staff to get the job done in a timely manner.

The issue of lack of enough staff is not the problem of EU national exercising treaty rights in the UK they are paying tax and national insurance. If these application were not in country maybe it will have been much faster to process.

[Forza_RC]

The EEA applications don't raise any revenue so perhaps they don't dedicate enough staff to get the job done in a timely manner.

I presume that is the reason! My friend applied for Tier1 - poststudy visa and paid about £ 600 and received the permit within couple of weeks! The funny thing is he applied 2 weeks after my application made!

[GreenCardApplicant]

Thanks for that Forza!

Just one more question (and please don't shout at me if it's a silly one) :

What hold-up is their in your life if you have to wait six months for the RC?
As far as I understand it, the RC is just confirmation of your rights, so how does it affect a person if they have to wait so long?
I'm wondering because this is obviously a sore point for many, many people and I'm staring to think there is something important that I don't know about.

Pardon if I'm ignorant to some crucial bit of info Please enlighten me.

Thanks!!

[Forza_RC]

Thanks for that Forza!

Just one more question (and please don't shout at me if it's a silly one) :

What hold-up is their in your life if you have to wait six months for the RC?
As far as I understand it, the RC is just confirmation of your rights, so how does it affect a person if they have to wait so long?
I'm wondering because this is obviously a sore point for many, many people and I'm staring to think there is something important that I don't know about.

Pardon if I'm ignorant to some crucial bit of info Please enlighten me.

Thanks!!

During the application process/period (6 months - 1 year or more...no one knows how long an applicant would wait!!) the HO keeps the passports and applicants are not given any temporary visa/right to travel. Even if I request my passport for urgent matters and travel to my home country, I will need a visa to enter back to the UK!! as in my case my current visa has already expired!
I had to cancel some business meetings/travels and obviously cannot request my passport every single time when I need to travel so have to wait 6 months or more to get the RC!

Does it make any sense?

[Forza_RC]

My wife (German citizen) went to Croydon home office this morning to apply for EEA1. She was told that she could not apply for EEA1 seperatly/in person (because I have already applied for EEA2) and she would get the EEA1 automaticly as soon as my RC/EEA2 have issued.

[P&T]

Hi everyone!

Just read your recent posts and appalled at the way the HO are treating us in not actually processing our applications!

Quick question guys has anyone sent a complaint letter to their local MP about this EEA2 application issue and if so how long did he/she take to respond to your complaint/request?

Thanks...

[Forza_RC]

If anyone has sent a complaint letter to their local MP about the HO's excellent service standarts!!!, could you please tell us, whether did it help to speed up the process or not?

[Breaker29]

Hi guys !
The MP can't do much ! I CC the my MP for every e-mail, letter, fax I send to the HO, He/She anly send a copy of the response they get from the HO. So if the MP does any push for the case ? I don't know and I don't think. I am on EEA4 nearly a year now... so Imagine how depressed I am.

[Forza_RC]

Hi guys !
The MP can't do much ! I CC the my MP for every e-mail, letter, fax I send to the HO, He/She anly send a copy of the response they get from the HO. So if the MP does any push for the case ? I don't know and I don't think. I am on EEA4 nearly a year now... so Imagine how depressed I am.

Thanks.

I thought so to be honest

How about the solvit, did you try to complain via them?

[P&T]

We have sent an email to our local MP this afternoon, so fingers crossed! We will keep you all posted on how that goes.

SOLVIT my husband is pursuing our case with them, so we will keep you guys informed once we get any news.

Fact is all we can do is keep the pressure on and not lose hope. Those are our travel documents they have in their possession its quite clear that they dont care but we have to make them care!!!

Good luck and its great to have a forum like this where people share their experiences with the lovely HO:-). We just want to thank you all for sharing.

[wet26]

We have sent an email to our local MP this afternoon, so fingers crossed! We will keep you all posted on how that goes.

SOLVIT my husband is pursuing our case with them, so we will keep you guys informed once we get any news.

Fact is all we can do is keep the pressure on and not lose hope. Those are our travel documents they have in their possession its quite clear that they dont care but we have to make them care!!!

Good luck and its great to have a forum like this where people share their experiences with the lovely HO:-). We just want to thank you all for sharing.

Would you mind telling me the basis of your complaint to your MP and solvit? I see from your other posts that you lodged your application less than two months ago. UKBA clearly state that it can take up to 6 months to process the RC application.

[Forza_RC]

We have sent an email to our local MP this afternoon, so fingers crossed! We will keep you all posted on how that goes.

SOLVIT my husband is pursuing our case with them, so we will keep you guys informed once we get any news.

Fact is all we can do is keep the pressure on and not lose hope. Those are our travel documents they have in their possession its quite clear that they dont care but we have to make them care!!!

Good luck and its great to have a forum like this where people share their experiences with the lovely HO:-). We just want to thank you all for sharing.

Hi P&T, it is great that you share your experiences with us, thanx, when did you apply for EEA2 and received the COA?