Travelling on the COA

[megoizzy]

Hi all,

I have just received our passports back in the post, having requested them for travel next month. I was desperately hoping that the RC would be issued with this request, as I know that has worked for lots of other people, but sadly, no RC.

Anyway, we are going to be travelling to Ireland via ferry. I was just wondering about other people's experiences using the COA to travel internationally. Do most UK passport control agents recognise the COA and not give much trouble?

I am not concerned about entering Ireland, as I am not a visa national and it is my husband's home country (he'll be travelling with me).

Thanks!

[ca.funke]

Hi megoizzy,

only if you are already married, the following is applicable:

Are you planning to travel to NorthernIreland or the Irish Republic?

Any trip to NI would be domestic, so no problems whatsoever.

Otherwise, you can travel as per >>EEA family member without Residence Card (Part 2)<<, which could or could not work.

Legally you´d be allowed to go in either case.

Rgds and good luck,
Christian

[megoizzy]

Hi Christian,
Thanks for your response. I was under the impression that the COA allowed you to travel outside the UK and back in? Is this not the case?

We are married and travelling to the Republic of Ireland (my husband's country of origin & nationality) via ferry from Holyhead and back.

*ETA: I am an American national and don't require a visa to enter the UK or Ireland.

[ca.funke]

...I am an American national and don't require a visa to enter the UK or Ireland...

As a US-citizen, you can obviously just go anyway, no problems to be expected...

[megoizzy]

...I am an American national and don't require a visa to enter the UK or Ireland...

As a US-citizen, you can obviously just go anyway, no problems to be expected...

Okay... I am not sure if I'm understanding your intended tone here. It is not obvious to me why "no problems are to be expected". I am only trying to make sure I understand the process and hoping for some kind advice or to hear the experiences of others. I am sorry if I have offended anyone.

[ca.funke]

Okay... I am not sure if I'm understanding your intended tone here.

Intended tone was "friendly-informative although I´m in a rush (and non-native in English)", so forgive me if it came across rude

It is not obvious to me why "no problems are to be expected". I am only trying to make sure I understand the process and hoping for some kind advice or to hear the experiences of others. I am sorry if I have offended anyone.

US citizens are not visa-required for visiting purposes in either Éire or the UK. All you need is your passport and evidence that you can support your stay, which may (usually) not exceed 90 days. In most cases they don´t even ask any questions, I´d take a credit-card to make sure. If you want to be super-sure take an invitation from whoever you´re visiting and/or the hotel-reservation, but this is most probably a total overkill...

As a family-member of an EEA-citizen you have far more rights, but you won´t need them since your purpose is "only" a visit. If you want to know: Being the family of an EEA-national you have an undeniable right to enter the country. Please read >>EEA family member without Residence Card (Part 2)<<. But like I said, you won´t need this!

Enjoy your trip

[megoizzy]

Intended tone was "friendly-informative although I´m in a rush (and non-native in English)", so forgive me if it came across rude

US citizens are not visa-required for visiting purposes in either Éire or the UK. All you need is your passport and evidence that you can support your stay, which may (usually) not exceed 90 days. In most cases they don´t even ask any questions, I´d take a credit-card to make sure. If you want to be super-sure take an invitation from whoever you´re visiting and/or the hotel-reservation, but this is most probably a total overkill...

As a family-member of an EEA-citizen you have far more rights, but you won´t need them since your purpose is "only" a visit.

Enjoy your trip

Ah, thanks so much! I really appreciate your help and no rudeness inferred (internet comms can be so clumsy!).

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Hi all,

I have just received our passports back in the post, having requested them for travel next month. I was desperately hoping that the RC would be issued with this request, as I know that has worked for lots of other people, but sadly, no RC. :(

Anyway, we are going to be travelling to Ireland via ferry. I was just wondering about other people's experiences using the COA to travel internationally. Do most UK passport control agents recognise the COA and not give much trouble?

I am not concerned about entering Ireland, as I am not a visa national and it is my husband's home country (he'll be travelling with me).

Thanks!

Only because you are not a visa national, you should not have any problems.

BTW, asking for passport back should not accelerate your application. Your are now going to get RC on an A4 piece of paper.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Please see thread of A4 piece of paper business.

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=99483

BTW, having read the rest of the thread and the other correspondence, I've use the word should in "should not have problems" because I don't know what might happen. You don't need a visa that's for sure.