My family and I went to France for 6 days, my husband and 5 children are all British Citizens. I still have a valid BRP until March next year, we took the birth certificates showing my 2 eldest are my children (got married since so different surnames) From my point all things were in order.
Despite this I was detained coming back to the UK with my family for 45 minutes pending checked, when asked why they gave me the form IS81 to say they have retained my passport and travel documents and ticked a to say they needed to examine if I should be refused or granted leave to enter the UK.
They did my finger print etc and all was fine, I’m so confused by the protocol. Whilst they checked another immigration officer asked why didn’t my husband apply for me to get a European resident permit which he stated was free and we would have in a day to avoid the issues we had. He said it’s a waste of time you being detained because you have 5 minor dependants with my youngest being only 4 months old.
Is this something I should be worried about in the future? Do I need to declare it when my renewal is due? Is it best to apply for a European residency card instead? It completely ruined our little family Disney get away because we missed our ferry which was delayed as it stands and then boarded the last one which didn’t get to the UK until 1 am with grumpy, tired children.
If your husband is British, you don't qualify for an EEA permit. Which category of visa do you currently hold?
