How long does EEA3 application take? (permanent residence)

[tensailee]

My partner (Greek, study then working in the UK for over 9 years, possess EEA Residence Permit) submitted his EEA3 (for permanent residence) application on 22nd Sep 2006, got the confirmation letter 2 weeks after, but nothing ever since.

Just wondering whether anyone on the forum have submitted EEA3 before, and how long did it take?

Will be grateful for your response.

[JAJ]

My partner (Greek, study then working in the UK for over 9 years, possess EEA Residence Permit) submitted his EEA3 (for permanent residence) application on 22nd Sep 2006, got the confirmation letter 2 weeks after, but nothing ever since.

Processing time information is available on this page:
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applyi ... unationals

Note that irrespective of how long it takes to process the application, his Permanent Residence should be effective automatically on the 5th anniversary of his arrival in the UK, or 30 April 2006 if later.

The documentation from IND should reflect this. It's important in terms of naturalisation eligiblility and British citizenship for UK born children.

[tensailee]

Thank you JAJ.

But the website hasn't been updated for over a month! I know that because the Registration Certificate applications should have been processed immediately, so should say on the table November or December.

Further to your above comment, will he be eligible to apply for Naturalisation (without confirmation of Permanent Residence for EEA nationals) straight away (since over five years of excercising "treaty rights" and over four years being "no time limit" on his stay, according to the new EEA Regulations 2006), or does he need to wait till 30 April 2007 to naturalise (because although residing here for over 9 years, but the permanent residence only effective as of 30 April 2006)??.... And if the former, will the NCS accept the fact that he is permanent resident although there's no document from the HO confirming this, when making the Naturalisation application?

Finally, there is a catch in his situation. From Sep 2000 to Sep 2001, he was being financially self-sufficient (but had no record e.g. banks statements), while he was contemplating whether to work or to further study. Will this affect his applications?

Thanks for yours response!!

[JAJ]

But the website hasn't been updated for over a month! I know that because the Registration Certificate applications should have been processed immediately, so should say on the table November or December.

As I understand it, they must process the application "as soon as possible". If they don't, you can complain to the IND and/or contact your Member of Parliament.

Further to your above comment, will he be eligible to apply for Naturalisation (without confirmation of Permanent Residence for EEA nationals) straight away (since over five years of excercising "treaty rights" and over four years being "no time limit" on his stay, according to the new EEA Regulations 2006), or does he need to wait till 30 April 2007 to naturalise (because although residing here for over 9 years, but the permanent residence only effective as of 30 April 2006)??

The automatic "no time limit after 5 years" only took effect on 30 April 2006, so any time before that doesn't count, sorry. Before 30.04.06 he was expected to apply for permanent residence on his own initiative and if he didn't do so, he gets no credit for the time. Sorry.

.... And if the former, will the NCS accept the fact that he is permanent resident although there's no document from the HO confirming this, when making the Naturalisation application?

I doubt NCS would accept it. You would have to apply by post. And processing time might be longer because the IND would then have to do their own checking to see if he is a Permanent Resident.

Finally, there is a catch in his situation. From Sep 2000 to Sep 2001, he was being financially self-sufficient (but had no record e.g. banks statements), while he was contemplating whether to work or to further study. Will this affect his applications?

I don't think so.

[tensailee]

thanks for your help, JAJ