Post
by nano2020 » Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:43 am
Hi,
As far as I understand this (not an expert so better double check).
- The EEA BRC allows you to travel to EU countries and acts like a Visa.
- Not everyone is familiar with this but I've read on this forum people saying that eventually after explaining, them checking, etc etc etc, they let them in.
- The EUSS looks just like your EEA BRC but instead of having the phrases related to EEA is says related to EUSS.
- The EUSS does not replace a visa like your EEA BRC does at the moment, so you are not going to be able to use it to enter EU countries, reason why people were told to wait a bit to apply for it as you'll lose this benefit.
- The EEA BRCs are going to expire on 31st December 2020, no matter what is says in the card.
From what you mention, if you plan on travelling after 31st December, and your passport does not allow visa-free travel and just staying like a tourist, you might have trouble boarding the plan there or getting through customs.
If they allow you in, on your way back you will try and board the plane and the only thing you will have is your pre-settled status (since EEA BRC is no longer valid), but that can only be checked online. As far as I know they airline counter system does not have a connection to this, the guy in the counter would need to access the gov website and check this, I'm not sure if everyone is aware of this or how it works. Since you won't have a physical proof that you can stay here, it might be tricky.
Based on all the above (which is just my understanding, please double check that), I was going to travel in December and come back in January so I decided to go for the EUSS BRC, my passport allows 3 months to Shengen Area so nothing lost on the EEA BRC, but I don't want to risk the way back.
In my particular case, I applied, couple weeks later the biometrics (had to pay for an appointment) and then about 8 weeks wait, so you should be ok to get it before you travel if that is what you want to go for.
Hope it helps!
, just missing my daughter's card. Hope the timeline helps others.
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