Update on EEA applications for UK Permanent Residence

Due to continuing uncertainty following the Brexit vote, EEA nationals who qualify are acting now to secure their right to stay in the UK.
No doubt to help with the influx of applications received from EEA nationals, the Home Office is making changes to its application procedures. From 1 October 2016, it has announced that European passports filed with applications on forms EEA(QP) or EEA(PR) can take advantage of a “return service”.
This means that a local authority (for example, a county council or city council) can, for a fee, photocopy the passport and forward a copy, with the checklist and application, to the Home Office.  This will enable an applicant to keep their passport while the Home Office is processing the application. While the application may be caught in a backlog, at least the EEA national retains their passport.