A permanent residence card application question please

[ippyevie]

A permanent residence card application question please. We are applying for permanent residence card for an EEA national (husband, French) and for a non-EEA national spouse (me, Thai). We have been here for nine years - I as an HSMP and Tier 1 before and the last four year as an non-EEA family member - my current res card will expire in Nov-17). We are both working and always have been, my son has a UK passport. Now because we are traveling A LOT, we can't really send our passport away and wait for god knows how long. My husband is sending his French ID (allowed as per guidance). I am planning to send my Thai ID and certified copy of my current passport and residence permit. It said in the guidance that if a non-EEA national family member can't send the original passport, it has to be for a reason beyond her control. My son is slightly disabled and is enrolled in a clinical trial in France which needed us to travel there at least every quarter. I am planning to send the medical letter stating that fact. Would you think that would be enough for them to accept? How long would it normally take to get the residence permit? If you advise against sending the certified copy of my current passport and res card, but to send my originals instead, how long would people normally get their acknowledgement letters so that the passport can be promptly requested back?

Many thanks in advance.

Eve

[Richard W]

Check out the time-line threads for passport return - it can be slow, but it should be a matter of weeks. The timeline is nearing 1 month from submission to biometrics and then a further 5 months wait for the DCPR and PRC. I believe you need to submit the Thai passport. Once the fee has been taken, you may request your passport and RC back. You should get them back, for you will still be covered by your old residence card until November 2017.