Entered on EEA Family Permit what is the smart next step?

[leedavey]

Originally Posted by SAMie

Hi Leedavey,

Can you advise me how you got on? I'm in a very similar situation with regards to my husband who is Australian and who's EEA family permit has a validity until April. We are also not planning on settling in the UK and UKBA has told us that it will take 6mths to get him a residency card in which time we may have returned to Australia!!

His permit was validated on 29 October, and the validity on his permit is 2 April. We are travelling to France over Easter and I'm worried there might be trouble re-entering after the validity date. Also, like yourself he also needs to travel for work and I'm concerned about him re-entering the country with no proof that he's married to an EU national.

I've looked on the British Embassy site for Ireland and looks like most get processed in 2 days!!! This seems like a good alternative.

Thanks

Hi SAMie,

I am just back from Ireland and can advise it did not go to plan. My permit is valid until mid April so I am going to head back to Ireland in a couple of weeks.

The embassy staff in Dublin advised me that from this week all applications are sent back to the UK for processing. This means that the 2 days stated on the website is now out of date. I relied on the website information when I arranged the trip which left e short on time and I could not risk missing my departure window due to work commitments. An expensive misadventure to say the least.

So my advice for you if you are heading to Dublin for this purpose is as follows:

1. Apply and Book your appointment early as they will not let you through the gate without one

2. Photocopy all supporting documentation as they will refuse to see applicants who do not have copies in hand

3. Passports and supporting documents can only be collected once ready on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings between 9am - 9:30am

4. Leave enough time for processing of your application. I assume the new regime will require 4 business days... so a Monday appointment may result in a Friday collection. I have not tested this but will be leaving my return flexible the next time around.


Hope this helps and please let me know if I haven't covered everything.

[SAMie]

Hi Leedavey,

Thanks for your quick response, I really appreciate it. The information you've given me is invaluable, its so hard to find reliable info! Sorry to hear that your trip didn't go to plan.

Sorry to trouble you but I have a couple of other questions.

When we applied in Australia, my husband did his biometrics at the embassy in Sydney and then sent the EEA application off. I presume the embassy in Dublin does the whole lot in one go? And do you know if you're current EEA family permit has to expire before the new one is issued?

Again, thanks for all your advice.

[leedavey]

Originally Posted by SAMie

Hi Leedavey,

Thanks for your quick response, I really appreciate it. The information you've given me is invaluable, its so hard to find reliable info! Sorry to hear that your trip didn't go to plan.

Sorry to trouble you but I have a couple of other questions.

When we applied in Australia, my husband did his biometrics at the embassy in Sydney and then sent the EEA application off. I presume the embassy in Dublin does the whole lot in one go? And do you know if you're current EEA family permit has to expire before the new one is issued?

Again, thanks for all your advice.

Hi SAMie,

I can confirm that the biometrics are taken during the appointment at the Dubln embassy.

Unfortunately I cannot advise on the expiry question. I was working on the assumption that it would not be an issue that my current permit had not expired. Again I would hope that the new permit would effectively follow on from the current one.

Having said all this though I am convinced, as Joppa mentioned earlier in the thread, that this path is very much the exception to the normal route for which it seems the UKBA expect all to follow (I.e. the residence card route).

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by SAMie

And do you know if you're current EEA family permit has to expire before the new one is issued?

No, you can apply for a new one at any time.

[leedavey]

Originally Posted by Joppa

No, you can apply for a new one at any time.

Thanks for the clarification Joppa.

[SAMie]

Originally Posted by leedavey

Thanks for the clarification Joppa.

Appreciate everyone's help! Thanks for clarifying. Fingers crossed all will go well in Dublin.

[leedavey]

Originally Posted by SAMie

Appreciate everyone's help! Thanks for clarifying. Fingers crossed all will go well in Dublin.

Hi SAMie,

Would you be so kind as to post an update once you have been through the process in Dublin please?

I am particularly interested in their turnaround times under this purported 'new system'.

Many thanks in advance.

LD

[SAMie]

Originally Posted by leedavey

Hi SAMie,

Would you be so kind as to post an update once you have been through the process in Dublin please?

I am particularly interested in their turnaround times under this purported 'new system'.

Many thanks in advance.

LD

Hi Leedavey,

No problem. My husband has submitted his application and has an appointment at the embassy next week so will let you know how it goes.

Cheers
Sam

[leedavey]

Originally Posted by SAMie

Hi Leedavey,

No problem. My husband has submitted his application and has an appointment at the embassy next week so will let you know how it goes.

Cheers
Sam

I am booked in for next Wednesday so will see how it goes, fingers crossed.

[SAMie]

Originally Posted by leedavey

I am booked in for next Wednesday so will see how it goes, fingers crossed.

Well, look out for a fellow Aussie, because my husband is booked in for Wednesday too!