Residence card lost

[germanresident]

Hi,

I am German citizen working and living here in the UK.

My mother is from third country and has got a residence card as a family member of an EEA national.

The residence card has been recently lost by our solicitor.
She was not residing in the UK with the residence card, but she used it to travel in and out instead of a Visa, as it was much easier and more convenient. According to my information as well there is no restriction how long you should be living with the residence card in the UK, if you are not intending to apply for a permanent residence later on.

At the moment she is outside the country. What can she do to reapply for the residence car? Can it be refused, she was not residing with it in the UK? Does she need a Visa to enter the UK again? Can she enter the UK witha tourist visa?

Would appreciate your advice
Thanks

[fysicus]

She will probably need to apply for an EEA Family Permit at the British Embassy in the country where she lives.

However, I really don't understand how her residence card could be lost by your solicitor. It was apparently issued some time ago and already used by your mother to enter the UK, as I understand. Normally the RC is a sticker in the passport, and even if it is issued as a separate Immigration Status Document I would expect your mother to keep it with her at all times. What has the solicitor to do with it after it has been issued??

And if indeed the solicitor is to blame, then of course you can demand that he sort it out as soon as possible at his own expense.

[germanresident]

It was a seperate immigration status, not endorsed in her passport. The solicitor needed it as identification documents to finish some other papers for her and then he sent it back with the post, but obviously got lost.

DOes she have to be dependent on me to apply for an eea family permit? Or is it better to have a visitor visa?