Police shows up at visa applicants house

africansun

Hi all,

my husband (Congolese) and I (German) moved to Cork about 2 month ago.

We submitted his application under for a Residence Card to the EU Treaty Rights Division around the end of August. We have not heard back from them so far, but they informed us that currently it takes them about 5 weeks to process the first stamp 4.

Everything went smooth so far - I think we did everything right.

Today as I was at work and my husband at home the police showed up. We live in a flat - they did not ring the door bell outside - they were just standing in front of our door - no uniform. My husband says they said they were Police and they showed their badges. They went straight into our place and ask him if he lives alone, if he works in Ireland, if he work in his previous country of residence, they wanted to see my passport, our utility bills and so forth.

They also wanted to see his passport. To verify the passport they took it with them and dropped of later. They did not explain why they check, only said that everything is fine as my husband asked if something is wrong.

My question: Is that part of a usual process when applying for Residence Card? Do I need to worry about something? Is it possible that it wasn't the "real" police, that it was a immigration officer who works for the Garda? Do you thing is has something to do with our current application?

I appreciate any opinion on this because it feels.... weird.

Thanks a lot!

Pro Hoc Vice

africansun wrote: »

Hi all,

my husband (Congolese) and I (German) moved to Cork about 2 month ago.

We submitted his application under for a Residence Card to the EU Treaty Rights Division around the end of August. We have not heard back from them so far, but they informed us that currently it takes them about 5 weeks to process the first stamp 4.

Everything went smooth so far - I think we did everything right.

Today as I was at work and my husband at home the police showed up. We live in a flat - they did not ring the door bell outside - they were just standing in front of our door - no uniform. My husband says they said they were Police and they showed their badges. They went straight into our place and ask him if he lives alone, if he works in Ireland, if he work in his previous country of residence, they wanted to see my passport, our utility bills and so forth.

They also wanted to see his passport. To verify the passport they took it with them and dropped of later. They did not explain why they check, only said that everything is fine as my husband asked if something is wrong.

My question: Is that part of a usual process when applying for Residence Card? Do I need to worry about something? Is it possible that it wasn't the "real" police, that it was a immigration officer who works for the Garda? Do you thing is has something to do with our current application?

I appreciate any opinion on this because it feels.... weird.

Thanks a lot!

Yes its normal. BTW immigration officers are police, GNIB is Garda (Irish for police) National Immigration Board.

Also the process is after a few weeks you should get letter giving 6 month permission and telling you to take letter and certain documents to local immigration Guard, then after 6 months should get permission usually 5 years backdated to date of application. If for some reason refused you can ask for a review your husband will get a further permission during review which usually takes 8 months. If you need a review I would strongly advise professional advice.

Coming up to the 5 years your husband can apply for permeant residency and after 5 years in the state citizenship if necessary.

africansun

Thanks a lot for the clarification - I was not sure of the hole structure here!

Really good to know that it is a normal process. I have been raised with the idea that if the police shows up at your place something is very wrong.

Thanks a lot!

Pro Hoc Vice

africansun wrote: »

Thanks a lot for the clarification - I was not sure of the hole structure here!

Really good to know that it is a normal process. I have been raised with the idea that if the police shows up at your place something is very wrong.

Thanks a lot!

One of the reason the police in ireland are called Garda Siochana (Guardians of the Peace), there is nothing to worry about.

africansun

You have been very helpful - thank you a lot!

Pro Hoc Vice

africansun wrote: »

You have been very helpful - thank you a lot!

Welcome to Ireland hope you have a good and happy time here. I know a few German nationals married to Congolese. A client of mine from the Congo, recently got her notification of a Naturalisation Ceremony. There is a good German and Congolese communities in Ireland, I hope ye both fit in.