I've used this forum extensively whilst applying for this hellish thing we call the EEA family permit. I've recently been refused the permit and would appreciate any feedback anyone can provide!
I am American, my "partner" is French. We have a pacte civil de solidarity which is France's version of a Civil Partnership and acknowledged under UK law as such. We met while studying for our master's degrees in London.
The PACS is very recent (although we've been together about a year and a half) so I completely thought we might be denied as it could appear to be a "marriage of convenience." I went in armed with tons of proof of our relationship. Letters from friends, travel documents, photos, literally anything and everything I had.
After waiting 4 weeks I received notice of my denial today. It states:
You state that your sponsor is your Civil Partner. However, you have not submitted a certificate of any other official documentation to confirm that a Civil Partnership ceremony has take place. Without this confirmation I am not satisfied that you are related to your sponsor as claimed.
Given the above, I am led to question the credibility of your claim to be a family member of an EEA national. I am therefore not satisfied that you are a family member in accordance with Regulation 7 of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006.
I therefore refuse your EEA Family Permit application because I am not satisfied that you meet all of the requirements of regulation 12 of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006.
what.What.WHAT
Along with my copious amount of support documents to put any of the usual doubt to bed, I also obviously submitted the original PACS certificate and a translated copy, so what does this mean?? What else could I possibly supply? This is not one of the usual reasons for denial so I am completely stumped.
The wording seems to be a bit vague. I know I sent the certificate with the application as it is included on the checklist given to me by the application center. So does that mean that the certificate of PACS is not enough? Is the translation not good enough? Is it because the words do not say "Civil Partnership"?
In the cover letter we even pointed out the legislation which acknowledges the PACS as a civil partnership. Check it => http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/200 ... -c20592181
Sorry this is a marathon post but I'm just so confused and really didn't expect to be denied as I did extensive research and sent everything possible.
Is it worth it to appeal or should we reapply? I've also still not gotten my passport back which is also highly concerning in it's own way.
I appreciate anyone who has read all the way to the bottom of this post and/or anyone who can possibly help
Thanks in advance
