Here is a description of my situation: I am American of Arabic descent (with an Arabic last name) married to a German, and we live in the Netherlands. We have been married for nearly 4 years. We have decided to move to the UK. He is a computer programmer and I'm an academic. We are leaving the Netherlands before 1 July.
I submitted my EEA family permit in Dusseldorf on 20 May. I submitted:
1) an application form
2) my passport
3) a copy of my Dutch residence permit
4) marriage certificate in Dutch - original
5) my job contracts in the Netherlands- originals
6) 6 months of my bank statements
7) 6 months of my pay slips
a copy of my husband's passport 9) 6 months of his bank statement
10) 6 months of his pay slips
On 25 May, someone from the UKBA, not an ECO, but an application checker, called me about my husband's job in the Netherlands. I told him that he would be leaving his job but most likely would be able to serve as a consultant for this company after we moved to the UK. The application checker then asked me if my husband would be self-employed. I said yes.
Since then, I have not heard anything. I have tracked my application and it only states "Arrived at Visa Section." I'm very anxious because I am waiting to buy plane tickets and make plans until I receive my passport back.
Reading through the forums, I am concerned that I did not provide enough information. I simply filled out the application and then provided documents from the list of supporting documents on the UK Border Agency website. I did not provide a letter from my husband stating that he will be traveling with me (he will be, btw), I just noted it in the application.
Furthermore, I stated that we plan to be in the UK for five years. Based on the forums, this seems to be a mistake. It seems that I should have written 3 months. I am also wondering if I said something wrong on the phone. I don't know for what exactly they were checking.
Thirdly, I'm wondering at what point do I need to demand that they escalate my application? Some people have written that they have done so when the processing times on the website were exceeded. Does it make sense to do so now--including holidays (May 27, May 30, and June 2), its been 7 working days since I submitted my application in Dusseldorf. Or shall I wait until they have exceeded the processing times?
Who do I contact to escalate my application? The UKBA website is a bit opaque on these matters.
Lastly, at a certain point, I will have to demand that they return my original documents whether or not they have made a decision in order to to make travel plans and deal with other important bureaucratic matters. We have given up our apartment as of 1 July and need to leave the Netherlands before this date. Does anyone have experience with getting their documents back BEFORE the ECO has made a decision? Who do I contact? How does this work?
I would appreciate any advice or assistance that anyone can offer to answer my questions.