newyearsrunner

Hi all - any help much appreciated.

My wife is a US citizen and lives with me in the UK. She has a current work visa but has an application in with the Home Office for an extension of stay.

I have had my passport returned but they still have her passport and residency card. We need it back in order to travel to Ireland on the 9th of April. We have tried using the return of documents link but it says 'You must withdraw your application if you wish to use your passport for travel outside of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.' It then does not let you proceed with the form.

We need it for travel to Ireland so should not need to withdraw the application. We have been told a decision should be made on the 5th of April - it was pushed back due to an error with the bank statements.

What can we do to get the documents returned in time? We have requested it to the case officer in the last letter we sent, we also referenced the trip with the original application. Can we travel up to Sheffield to collect them? Will we get them back without withdrawing etc?

Thanks again - pulling my hair out with worry on this one.

BritInParis

The Republic of Ireland is within the Common Travel Area so a passport is not necessary for travel from the UK. Providing your wife has other form of government issued photo ID (e.g. driving licence) then she'll be fine to travel. Check with your airline to see which specific ID they will accept - apparently Ryanair can be sticklers.

newyearsrunner

Thanks BritInParis. It is Ryanair and concerned that they won't accept her US driving license, old passport etc. but a good point. I will drop them an email and hope for the best.

newyearsrunner

I just checked - Ryan Air only accept a valid passport or an EU EEA ID card (unobtainable without a passport at application).

BritInParis

I think you're in a bit of pickle. How urgent is the trip? Perhaps consider another airline (or the ferry)?

newyearsrunner

Update - we wrote in our most recent letter to Home Office that we required the passport back for trip by 1 April. We were told by the Home Office call centre this would not happen BUT our kindly case officer took pity and sent all of it back immediately! So we have been approved for the visa and received the documents on time. Advice for anyone reading - worth asking your case officer even if 'computer says no' when you call and ask.

BritInParis

Glad you got it sorted