EEA FP/ RC:Traveling whilst EU RC application in the process

[sneuro]

Hello Everyone

I'm a non EEA family member of a British Citizen currently residing in the UK. I had a EEA FP granted to me on the basis that myself and my wife were living in an EU country prior to returning to the UK. My initial 6 months EEA FP expired last December 2012, In early October 2012 I had applied for the EEA residence card based on Surinder Sing's case and I have received my COA. however in late November 2012 I had requested my passport back as I needed to travel at that time and I also received a letter from UKBA at that time stating that I do not need to send my passport back until requested to do so by a caseworker.

My dilemma is that my wife and I need to go to an EU country(Portugal) for a few days in Late February 2013.

Questions

1) Is it ok for us to travel to an EU country for a few days? i.e. will the Portuguese immigration allow me the entrance

2) Will UKBA allow me the re entry to the UK upon my return with my wife? Im worried as my current EEA FP visa has expired last December 2012

3) Apart from our passports and our marriage certificate is there anything else needed for immigration purposes?

4) At both Airports- Are both of us allowed to use the EU lanes ?


I have tried to contact the UKBA over the phone who had suggested me to contact the British Embassy in Lisbon ( which doesn't make sense to me). Upon Contacting the British Embassy in Lisbon they then have advised me to contact the Worldbridge which is their agency which themselve or the UKBA ( which I did before contacting Lisbon). So it is all a bit confusing to me.

Hope you all can help and may experienced same situation before

Thanks

[Jambo]

It depends on your nationality. Are you a visa national (i.e. from a country that normally need a visa to visit the UK) or not?

[sneuro]

No. I'm not a visa required national to enter the UK for a visit.

[Jambo]

Because you are a non-visa national (i.e. no problem getting on a plane and getting to the border):

1. Yes
2. Yes.
3. Bring the CoA. That would get you in on your return. Keep the marriage certificate as a backup plan. Becuase your partner is British, it is a bit more tricky but the CoA will allow them to check your status in their system and let you in.
4. Yes.


I suggest you read the recommend reading and Q1 in EEA FAQs - Common Questions - Read before posting - EEA Family Permit.

[sneuro]

Thank you very much!