Hi all,
I'm a UK citizen married to an American citizen living in Ireland. Several months ago, I posted a number of queries to this forum:
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=22388
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=23938
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=24064
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=25477
Thanks to all those who helped, my wife received confirmation of a full 5 year residency permit in the post a few days ago! (approx. 5 months after making the application)
I thought I would compile a list of everything I included with my forms and actions I took along the way to help those of you applying. I realise that a lot of the documentation I supplied was unnecessary, however, I feel that the 'completeness' of this application made a difference.
Here's the list:
- A completed EU1 Form, with the legal documents required (passport, USA marriage certificate, etc)
- Letters from 15-20 friends, relatives and business owners supporting our case and pleading that the application was granted.
- I approached a local TD and asked him to write a character reference for me.
- Letter from my employer, stating that my role in the company was crucial and that I would be forced to leave the country to make residence back in the UK if my wife's residency was not granted (a bluff!).
- Certificate of savings (about €5k), showing that we had sufficient funds to not have to live off the state.
- Proof of health insurance for both my wife and I.
- 3 months of pay slips.
- Some 30 photographs of my wife and I and our wedding.
- Proof of my residence in the State since the age of 12, by way of providing school reports and exam results.
- Proof that my wife had lived in London for 6 months, having obtained a blue card (6 month work permit for the UK) immediately after finishing her degree in the States.
- A cover letter from myself, detailing our relationship, pleading for a positive result, stating that I would be forced to leave the country ('my home'), my friends, my family, my career, etc. if the residency was not granted. Also stating that Directive 2004/38/EC was in my belief, illegal under EU Legislation.
- I wrote a letter to the Minister for Justice once I had received a reference number for my application, contesting the legality of Irish legislation surrounding residency for spouses of EU nationals and urging him to assist with our situation.
- I approached a locally residing senator and asked him to back my case. He wrote a letter of support and also gave another copy of the letter above to the Minister. His secretary regularly followed up with the immigration office and the minister (approx once per month)
One of our biggest worries was that my wife would be unable to work legally while we waited for a result. However, a trip to our local immigration office with proof that we had made an application and request that my wife be given a temporary work permit while we waited for a result was successful - she was given a temporary 6 month Stamp 4 by the immigration official, which relieved a LOT of pressure from us - all we had to do now was wait.... and some 5 months later, she was granted a 5 year residency stamp!
So, do not give up hope! If any of you have any questions, just post a reply here.
Cheers,
-- A.
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