The European Passport Return Service (EPRS) is a service provided by many local authorities across the UK. The EPRS allows European Economic Area (EEA) nationals (including Swiss nationals) and their family members to retain their passports whilst their applications are being considered. Using this service does not, however, mean that the consideration of your application will be expedited. It should be noted that there is an additional fee for using the EPRS, which may differ depending on the local authority.
If you are making an application for a document certifying Permanent Residence or a Registration Certificate using the online application form, you may be entitled to use the EPRS. Any family members included in your online application can also benefit from use of this service, regardless of their nationality.
You must attend an appointment at a participating local authority within 10 working days of the submission of your application. During this appointment the local authority will verify and produce certified copies of your passports to be sent to the Home Office, together with your supporting documents.
In order to use the EPRS, an application must be made online. The following categories of persons are unable to make an application using the online service and therefore are not eligible for the EPRS:
- A student or self-sufficient person who is either reliant on a family member for financial support or financially responsible for any other family members; or
- A non-EEA national family member applying separately from their EEA sponsor.
Brexit is currently scheduled for 29 March 2019. EEA nationals and their family members currently living in the UK may wish to make an application for a document confirming their residence status prior to the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Gherson has extensive experience with EEA applications. Should you wish to discuss the options available to you then please do not hesitate to contact us.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
©Gherson 2018