Post
by liquidweb15 » Fri Nov 06, 2015 11:29 pm
Hello All,
This is liquidweb. Lost my account details so created a new one. I have finally received my PR this morning. I don't know how to react but it is yet to sink in. I am so relieved. Thanks to all the lovely members of this forum. We all have been part of the journey and it truly in the end worked out well.
I applied back in May 2015. In the meantime, I had to travel once and had to get an EEA Family Permit while I was traveling from the nearest British Embassy.
Wish you all who applied all the very best. I am listing a few tips below for all new applicants just in case.
1. If possible apply with your EEA Partner and make her/him the main applicant and you the dependent. Average processing time is 5 weeks
2. If you have come to this country via EEA Family Permit and then applied for EEA Residence Card/ EEA (FM), then note that your time starts the moment you stepped in to the country. So yes, please apply the moment you cross 5 years of your arrival date in the UK. Do not wait till it is 1 month away from your Residence Card/EEA(FM) end date
3. You can apply for British Citizenship directly (if you prefer) after 6 years of continuous residence. However, having a PR card makes it a smoother experience. Average processing time is 3 months with PR and 6 months without PR for Non-EEA
Apart from these, I would have the following few things to say:
1. Life is short and PR is not everything. At one point, I became obsessive with this. Checking this forum every single day every single hour. Success stories gave hope. Just take it easy.
2. Once you have applied for PR means you have attained your right to stay here permanently. If you are travelling, no issues, just take a few documents and your COA and EEA Family Permit is issued normally in 48 hours. I did it twice so I am talking from experience. So yes, again, no stress.
3. Do not visit this immigration board a lot, it is great. But it can also become an obsession.
4. Try to help people, but first do understand that a lot of people here looks up to what you say and can make life decisions based on that. I learnt it the hard way when I possibly misguided a new mother who already has PR to apply for MN1 for her child when she didn't need it and instead apply for passport directly. I swallowed my pride and apologised to the woman and thanked the other individual who stepped in to correct me. Thank God the mother listened to the other fella.
5. Do apply for British Citizenship because I think it would make travelling a bit more easier.
Just relax and the average wait time is 5 months, full Stop, for Non-EEA. No matter how much you think, this will not change.
Wish you all the best and bye for now.