EEA Family Permit - Residence Card - Unmarried Partner

[jayjaymes]

Hi there,

I came to the UK on my EEA family permit and one month ago sent my documents off to the home office to apply for my residence card as an unmarried partner. They sent back my receipt which stated that - because I did not provide enough original documents - at this time I cannot work until they make a decision on my application. I have a few key questions which I have so far been unable to find answers:

1. If there is someone else who also received the 'not enough original documents' letter - how long did the result take (can it really take up to 6 months!? Without being able to work!?)... And what was your result?
+ Will still be interested to know how long on average unmarried partner EEA residence card applications take.

2. Can they just wait for brexit to happen (it will be well within the 6 months decision period) and just reject my application come the split from the EU?

3. They sent me an e-mail and letter acknowledging that my application is under consideration, how will they let me know of the result (assuming they don't need any more documents)?

Thank you for your time!

J.

[tahlia0114]

Hi J,

This is my second time around for Unmarried Partner Residence Card (first one is about to expire).

1. It sounds like we received the same letter Not to worry, I believe it’s just a template they use! The RC CAN take UP TO 6 months, mine only took 7 weeks last time (‘up to 6 months’ was the time given then too). I DID have to stop work last time, but that was because of my bad timing!
2. You’ve submitted your application - you’re fine.
3. Yes, I got the email too. When it’s all done they’ll post the documents back to you with the result. RC will come in the mail after

Until then, I’m playing the waiting game with you!

[awt1031]

Hello! I am in a similar situation, currently in the UK on a family permit that expires in July. I was just wondering if you've been advised at all to wait until the Settlement Scheme opens? Or that you needed a residence card for that? My original plan was to return & immediately apply for a residence card, but am a little confused with the new scheme opening in March & all residence cards not being valid after December 2020.

[tahlia0114]

Hi J,

This is my second time around for Unmarried Partner Residence Card (first one is about to expire).

1. It sounds like we received the same letter Not to worry, I believe it’s just a template they use! The RC CAN take UP TO 6 months, mine only took 7 weeks last time (‘up to 6 months’ was the time given then too). I DID have to stop work last time, but that was because of my bad timing!
2. You’ve submitted your application - you’re fine.
3. Yes, I got the email too. When it’s all done they’ll post the documents back to you with the result. RC will come in the mail after

Until then, I’m playing the waiting game with you!

Update: ALL DOCUMENTS RETURNED TODAY (dated 30 January) ALONG WITH APPROVAL LETTER! BRC will arrive in the next 10 working days

[jayjaymes]

Hello! I am in a similar situation, currently in the UK on a family permit that expires in July. I was just wondering if you've been advised at all to wait until the Settlement Scheme opens? Or that you needed a residence card for that? My original plan was to return & immediately apply for a residence card, but am a little confused with the new scheme opening in March & all residence cards not being valid after December 2020.

Thanks for getting in touch! Unfortunately I haven't had much official/professional advice, from my experience it's impossible to find concrete answers as there are so many conflicting statements... especially with brexit on the horizon where noone really knows what's happening. I was told by the Home Office phone customer service to simply watch the news for updates.....

Anyway, from what I can gather, you and your family member can apply for a settlement together without a residence card, but in my naive opinion a residence card would certainly help your case considering they have already decided on your eligibility for residence. And yes, the RC would not be valid after 2020, but at least by then you have more documents for proof of eligibility for the Settlement Scheme. Open for someone to come and correct me!

[jayjaymes]

Hi J,

This is my second time around for Unmarried Partner Residence Card (first one is about to expire).

1. It sounds like we received the same letter Not to worry, I believe it’s just a template they use! The RC CAN take UP TO 6 months, mine only took 7 weeks last time (‘up to 6 months’ was the time given then too). I DID have to stop work last time, but that was because of my bad timing!
2. You’ve submitted your application - you’re fine.
3. Yes, I got the email too. When it’s all done they’ll post the documents back to you with the result. RC will come in the mail after

Until then, I’m playing the waiting game with you!

Update: ALL DOCUMENTS RETURNED TODAY (dated 30 January) ALONG WITH APPROVAL LETTER! BRC will arrive in the next 10 working days

Congrats!! How long was the wait this time? Second to the person above's question - did you feel it was necessary to apply for another residence card as opposed to applying for the 'settlement scheme'?

[awt1031]

Thanks for the advice! I've only been to a free advice centre, as hiring a solicitor is extremely expensive. They helped me with my family permit, so I might reach out to them again.

Would also be curious to know how long it took tahlia0114 to receive her RC. I don't want to apply for a RC at this point with documents I could use for the settlement scheme. I'm just not sure if having a RC is looked upon better than having a family permit, or if it doesn't really matter for the scheme. I suppose no one really knows...

[jayjaymes]

Just got my residence card and documents back! The whole process took surprisingly only 6-7 weeks. The card says its valid for 5 years but the gov.uk website says all RC will be expired after December 2020, this should give a bit of breathing room and time to apply for the settlement scheme.