EU settlement - Non EU family member - CoA and decision time

[Enka2018]

Father-in-law submitted biometrics yesterdsy and today already received COA letter, that seems surprisingly fast

[Enka2018]

Non eu family member
Submitted pre settled 27/11/19
COA 28/11/19
No decision yet at this time of writing..what is all this , putting people in distress and unsettled mental state. Now my resident permit is about to expire and my employers has notified me. What should I do ..this is not fair at all. What should I do...Any form of advice will be helpful.

try to complain to MP

[1878]

I’m an EEA national , married to non-EEA national with two kids. All of us had PR after living her for 9 years. Myself and two children received EU settled status within two weeks from applying back in January 2020. Applied for wife the day after, got COA after a few weeks, then silence. Lodged online complaint in July about processing time (6+ months plus for person with PR already, should be a no brainer as already ILR/settled), wife got settled status two weeks after I sent complaint.

If you have waited more than 5 months - my clear advice is to send online complaint and in my (and I’ve read others on the forum) experience, it speeds up the decision process exponentially.

[Nina Roche]

I’m an EEA national , married to non-EEA national with two kids. All of us had PR after living her for 9 years. Myself and two children received EU settled status within two weeks from applying back in January 2020. Applied for wife the day after, got COA after a few weeks, then silence. Lodged online complaint in July about processing time (6+ months plus for person with PR already, should be a no brainer as already ILR/settled), wife got settled status two weeks after I sent complaint.

If you have waited more than 5 months - my clear advice is to send online complaint and in my (and I’ve read others on the forum) experience, it speeds up the decision process exponentially.

Thank you for sharing your experience!
This might be helpful to many people who whould know what to do by then!

[Chatonkate]

Hello.

I am non-EU spouse of British national, looking for pre-settled status (first time application for residency in the UK). Before our move to the UK we lived for more than 3 years in Ireland, so we are eligible to ‘Surinder Singh’ application.

My timeline is as follows:

Submitted paper application on 15th January 2020
Biometrics provided on 25th January 2020
CoA received on 29th January 2020
Current status - waiting

Since I received CoA I have called several times to Resolution centre and the replies were always "the application is in process, please wait". In June emailed to our local MP asking for help, he asked about my application to Home Office and the reply in summary was the same "the application is in process, please wait". On 10th of July I sent a complaint about the long decision making process to the Home Office through their online form and I am still waiting for the response (they should answer to the complains during 20 working days).

My biggest concern as a Non-Eu citizen and as a first time applicant is that I could not leave the UK during this long-going decision making process. My EEA family permit was valid for 6 months and it has expired already. I have been in touch with Immigration Department and I was told that there is no other visa, which I could apply while I am in the UK. They also advised that I could leave the UK, if I wish, and go to my home country, then in order to return back I will need to apply for a new EEA family permit, but it will cancel my current residence permit application and I will have to start the whole process again upon my return to the UK.

I find this situation first of all absolutely frustrating as there is no processing times known (even approximately), so it means that I am not able to visit my family or friends at home, which would be especially important after long months of lockdown and now, when the flights are resuming. On top of that without valid residence permit I could not even get any bank services in the UK - like open a local bank account or get a credit card.

I would be grateful if someone in similar situation as a first time applicant will share their story and advise about their timeline for ‘Surinder Singh’ application.

I also would like to ask what is the source of information about the 6 months validity of CoA (as none of the validity dates are written in my CoA).

Thank you everyone for the information provided and experience sharing in this forum. It really helps to keep hope that one day everyone will get a favourable decisions to their applications.

[CR001]

Hello.

I am non-EU spouse of British national, looking for pre-settled status (first time application for residency in the UK). Before our move to the UK we lived for more than 3 years in Ireland, so we are eligible to ‘Surinder Singh’ application.

My timeline is as follows:

Submitted paper application on 15th January 2020
Biometrics provided on 25th January 2020
CoA received on 29th January 2020
Current status - waiting

Since I received CoA I have called several times to Resolution centre and the replies were always "the application is in process, please wait". In June emailed to our local MP asking for help, he asked about my application to Home Office and the reply in summary was the same "the application is in process, please wait". On 10th of July I sent a complaint about the long decision making process to the Home Office through their online form and I am still waiting for the response (they should answer to the complains during 20 working days).

My biggest concern as a Non-Eu citizen and as a first time applicant is that I could not leave the UK during this long-going decision making process. My EEA family permit was valid for 6 months and it has expired already. I have been in touch with Immigration Department and I was told that there is no other visa, which I could apply while I am in the UK. They also advised that I could leave the UK, if I wish, and go to my home country, then in order to return back I will need to apply for a new EEA family permit, but it will cancel my current residence permit application and I will have to start the whole process again upon my return to the UK.

I find this situation first of all absolutely frustrating as there is no processing times known (even approximately), so it means that I am not able to visit my family or friends at home, which would be especially important after long months of lockdown and now, when the flights are resuming. On top of that without valid residence permit I could not even get any bank services in the UK - like open a local bank account or get a credit card.

I would be grateful if someone in similar situation as a first time applicant will share their story and advise about their timeline for ‘Surinder Singh’ application.

I also would like to ask what is the source of information about the 6 months validity of CoA (as none of the validity dates are written in my CoA).

Thank you everyone for the information provided and experience sharing in this forum. It really helps to keep hope that one day everyone will get a favourable decisions to their applications.

This is not the correct topic for surinder Singh route applications. We have an existing topic for surinder Singh applications, link below, please post there.

https://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-r ... l#p1915773

[texturelikesun]

Got my COA letter on the 2nd of April 2020
3.07.2020 a person from HO rang me and said there was a glitch in the system and for some reason I applied for settled status, although I have lived here for 1 year as an non-EU wife of an Irish citizen. She told me I would have received my pre-settled status in 2 weeks’ time. Still waiting for my pre-settled status I got my biometric residency card in November 2019, we’ve been married for 6 years but lived overseas. Anyway, they have all my documents and paperwork as I have applied for BRC before. What can possibly be that time consuming

[Crystal2020]

Has anyone who was unable to provide their passport due to circumstances beyond their control and submitted a paper application as a non eu family member got a decision yet ?

This is my situation and I have been waiting for over a year now

[eke123]

Hello guys
Please I honestly need your advice on this one
Does anyone have any idea if I can also apply for a Resident Card while waiting for the outcome of my EUSS?
This is taking too long and I seriously need to start work cos only God knows when they'll grant it.
I've never held a RC before and it seems that department processes applications faster.
I've seen someone that got refused on this platform in March and just got RC issued to in June.
So I'm thinking of also applying for RC to enable me start work.
I need advice please guys
God bless

[Nasara1]

Has anyone who was unable to provide their passport due to circumstances beyond their control and submitted a paper application as a non eu family member got a decision yet ?

This is my situation and I have been waiting for over a year now

Although I managed to eventually provide my estranged wife’s passport,the conversation I had with my case worker on the phone when I explained to her that I couldn’t provide it was of a support.She actually asked me to download the other documents and they will have a look at.She did however stressed that it wasn’t guaranteed.My application was done online.I want to believe if you can’t provide it that’s not the end of the journey.Good luck.

[Nasara1]

Hello guys
Please I honestly need your advice on this one
Does anyone have any idea if I can also apply for a Resident Card while waiting for the outcome of my EU Settlement Scheme?
This is taking too long and I seriously need to start work cos only God knows when they'll grant it.
I've never held a RC before and it seems that department processes applications faster.
I've seen someone that got refused on this platform in March and just got RC issued to in June.
So I'm thinking of also applying for RC to enable me start work.
I need advice please guys
God bless

Stay strong. I guess they left ours to deal with all the EU nationals and straight forward cases.After a whole year they wrote to me twice in under a month.I believe the cases are moving forward now.

[deeop]

Hello guys
Please I honestly need your advice on this one
Does anyone have any idea if I can also apply for a Resident Card while waiting for the outcome of my EU Settlement Scheme?
This is taking too long and I seriously need to start work cos only God knows when they'll grant it.
I've never held a RC before and it seems that department processes applications faster.
I've seen someone that got refused on this platform in March and just got RC issued to in June.
So I'm thinking of also applying for RC to enable me start work.
I need advice please guys
God bless

Stay strong. I guess they left ours to deal with all the EU nationals and straight forward cases.After a whole year they wrote to me twice in under a month.I believe the cases are moving forward now.

When did you submit your application?

[eke123]

Hello guys
Please I honestly need your advice on this one
Does anyone have any idea if I can also apply for a Resident Card while waiting for the outcome of my EU Settlement Scheme?
This is taking too long and I seriously need to start work cos only God knows when they'll grant it.
I've never held a RC before and it seems that department processes applications faster.
I've seen someone that got refused on this platform in March and just got RC issued to in June.
So I'm thinking of also applying for RC to enable me start work.
I need advice please guys
God bless

Stay strong. I guess they left ours to deal with all the EU nationals and straight forward cases.After a whole year they wrote to me twice in under a month.I believe the cases are moving forward now.

When did you submit your application?

Thanks @ Nasara.
@ Deeop I submitted in January

[deeop]

Hello guys
Please I honestly need your advice on this one
Does anyone have any idea if I can also apply for a Resident Card while waiting for the outcome of my EU Settlement Scheme?
This is taking too long and I seriously need to start work cos only God knows when they'll grant it.
I've never held a RC before and it seems that department processes applications faster.
I've seen someone that got refused on this platform in March and just got RC issued to in June.
So I'm thinking of also applying for RC to enable me start work.
I need advice please guys
God bless

Stay strong. I guess they left ours to deal with all the EU nationals and straight forward cases.After a whole year they wrote to me twice in under a month.I believe the cases are moving forward now.

When did you submit your application?

Thanks @ Nasara.
@ Deeop I submitted in January

You can apply for that residence card but they will only issue you 1year validity permit and you will pay £65 for that application so it will be a short term thing. All permit issued under eu free movement will not be valid beyond transition period. The eu settlement scheme replace that but the pace of processing is very slow for non eu family members. I understand your frustration really well..You can apply for the residence permit but in the end you will need the eu settlement scheme on long term.

[eke123]

Stay strong. I guess they left ours to deal with all the EU nationals and straight forward cases.After a whole year they wrote to me twice in under a month.I believe the cases are moving forward now.

When did you submit your application?

Thanks @ Nasara.
@ Deeop I submitted in January

You can apply for that residence card but they will only issue you 1year validity permit and you will pay £65 for that application so it will be a short term thing. All permit issued under eu free movement will not be valid beyond transition period. The eu settlement scheme replace that but the pace of processing is very slow for non eu family members. I understand your frustration really well..You can apply for the residence permit but in the end you will need the eu settlement scheme on long term.

Ok
Thank you so much @deeop

[PRISCYOBI]

Stay strong. I guess they left ours to deal with all the EU nationals and straight forward cases.After a whole year they wrote to me twice in under a month.I believe the cases are moving forward

Hi N,
Please what did they say in their letters? Av been waiting for long now and after the COA was issued there has been no correspondence from them. I have called severally, same answer everytime and last week I lodge a complaint and until now, no response. It's really frustrating.

[Nasara1]

Hello guys
Please I honestly need your advice on this one
Does anyone have any idea if I can also apply for a Resident Card while waiting for the outcome of my EU Settlement Scheme?
This is taking too long and I seriously need to start work cos only God knows when they'll grant it.
I've never held a RC before and it seems that department processes applications faster.
I've seen someone that got refused on this platform in March and just got RC issued to in June.
So I'm thinking of also applying for RC to enable me start work.
I need advice please guys
God bless

Stay strong. I guess they left ours to deal with all the EU nationals and straight forward cases.After a whole year they wrote to me twice in under a month.I believe the cases are moving forward now.

When did you submit your application?

July 2019

[Nasara1]

Stay strong. I guess they left ours to deal with all the EU nationals and straight forward cases.After a whole year they wrote to me twice in under a month.I believe the cases are moving forward

Hi N,
Please what did they say in their letters? Av been waiting for long now and after the COA was issued there has been no correspondence from them. I have called severally, same answer everytime and last week I lodge a complaint and until now, no response. It's really frustrating.

They wanted me to upload proof of residency and my estranged wife's passport.Which I did I'm still waiting.It's been one week already and I've not heard from them since.

[PRISCYOBI]

Stay strong. I guess they left ours to deal with all the EU nationals and straight forward cases.After a whole year they wrote to me twice in under a month.I believe the cases are moving forward

Hi N,
Please what did they say in their letters? Av been waiting for long now and after the COA was issued there has been no correspondence from them. I have called severally, same answer everytime and last week I lodge a complaint and until now, no response. It's really frustrating.

They wanted me to upload proof of residency and my estranged wife's passport.Which I did I'm still waiting.It's been one week already and I've not heard from them since.

Hi N,
Thanks for your response. At least that's a step forward. It's good they are communicating, you will hear good news soon. Anytime I call them, they say" we dont need anything from you for now, you have submitted everything we need " and I keep wondering if you have everything you need, then what is keeping you from granting the settled status. I leave everything in God's hand. I pray we all hear good news soon.

[texturelikesun]

Hi, guys, where can I file a complaint? I’m done with this attitude

[shay007]

Hi, guys, where can I file a complaint? I’m done with this attitude

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... -procedure

[texturelikesun]

Hi, guys, where can I file a complaint? I’m done with this attitude

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... -procedure

Thanks a million !!

[thezy]

My wife's timeline (non-eu national)

Applied: November 2019 - online application, uploaded our marriage certificate and council tax bills, linked her application to mine ( Eu national with settled status from May 2019)

Biometrics: one day after application

CoA: December 2019

After that:
1) numerous calls to Eu settlement scheme - only got generic responses (the case is with caseworker, keep eyes on email, it is in final stages)
2) contacted MP in June 2020 who also received only general reaponse from HO
3) July 2020 - logged online complain with HO about unreasonable delays - week after complaining to HO my spouse received pre-settlement via email

It took 8 months.
Everyone - good luck!

Dear Nanateris,

What has the HO answered about your complaint? I also raised a formal complaint directly with the HO, but they answered a week later that they "are unable to uphold my complaint" since it might take more than a month if "an applicant is non-EEA or non-Swiss citizen, who is applying based on a relationship which they have haven’t previously relied upon in any application to the Home Office". [I've been waiting for 6 months].

In the end, no actual new information was provided. I have also contacted my MP last week, so let's see if both of these actions together might speed up the process.

Thanks in advance for sharing your story.

Best wishes,
Thereza

[Georges11]

My wife's timeline (non-eu national)

Applied: November 2019 - online application, uploaded our marriage certificate and council tax bills, linked her application to mine ( Eu national with settled status from May 2019)

Biometrics: one day after application

CoA: December 2019

After that:
1) numerous calls to Eu settlement scheme - only got generic responses (the case is with caseworker, keep eyes on email, it is in final stages)
2) contacted MP in June 2020 who also received only general reaponse from HO
3) July 2020 - logged online complain with HO about unreasonable delays - week after complaining to HO my spouse received pre-settlement via email

It took 8 months.
Everyone - good luck!

Dear Nanateris,

What has the HO answered about your complaint? I also raised a formal complaint directly with the HO, but they answered a week later that they "are unable to uphold my complaint" since it might take more than a month if "an applicant is non-EEA or non-Swiss citizen, who is applying based on a relationship which they have haven’t previously relied upon in any application to the Home Office". [I've been waiting for 6 months].

In the end, no actual new information was provided. I have also contacted my MP last week, so let's see if both of these actions together might speed up the process.

Thanks in advance for sharing your story.

Best wishes,
Thereza

Hello, I made a complaint to the HO 3 months ago and funnily enough they have replied with the same sentence as yours. “ I am unfortunately unable to uphold your complaint.
I have submitted my EUSS over over a year.
it’s absolutely ridiculous.

[Nanateris]

My wife's timeline (non-eu national)

Applied: November 2019 - online application, uploaded our marriage certificate and council tax bills, linked her application to mine ( Eu national with settled status from May 2019)

Biometrics: one day after application

CoA: December 2019

After that:
1) numerous calls to Eu settlement scheme - only got generic responses (the case is with caseworker, keep eyes on email, it is in final stages)
2) contacted MP in June 2020 who also received only general reaponse from HO
3) July 2020 - logged online complain with HO about unreasonable delays - week after complaining to HO my spouse received pre-settlement via email

It took 8 months.
Everyone - good luck!

Dear Nanateris,

What has the HO answered about your complaint? I also raised a formal complaint directly with the HO, but they answered a week later that they "are unable to uphold my complaint" since it might take more than a month if "an applicant is non-EEA or non-Swiss citizen, who is applying based on a relationship which they have haven’t previously relied upon in any application to the Home Office". [I've been waiting for 6 months].

In the end, no actual new information was provided. I have also contacted my MP last week, so let's see if both of these actions together might speed up the process.

Thanks in advance for sharing your story.

Best wishes,
Thereza

So we lodged the complain and after a week my wife received pre-settled status. A few days after that HO actually answered that they cannot uphold our complain However, I think that the combination of MP and HO complain made them speed things up.
Good luck!