Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what options are available to EEA national students who need to travel during the period in which their application to the European Processing Return Service is under consideration and that service has possession of their passport; and if she will take steps to make it possible for such students to submit applications online.

Since 15 September 2016 EEA national students who financially support themselves have been able to submit online applications for a registration certificate or document certifying permanent residence.

Online applicants can also use the European Passport Return Service. This service, available via participating local authorities, allows the original passport to be checked and returned immediately to the holder to enable them to travel while their application is being processed. The local authority then submits a certified photocopy of the passport along with the other application papers to the UK Visas & Immigration.

Where an application has been submitted using the postal application process, EEA nationals can request return of their passport at any point in the application process using the online form which can be found here:

https://eforms.homeoffice.gov.uk/outreach/Return_of_Documents.ofml