Confused about the phasing out of BRPs - Can anyone offer advice?

[mradam]

Hi all,

I'm just slightly confused about the phasing out of the BRPs and was hoping someone might be able to offer some advice

The situation is as follows:

I am an EU citizen living in the UK and I have been granted settled status

My wife is a non-EU/UK citizen and lives in the UK with me. She has settled status too and has a BRP card

My wife's card is due to expire in December 2024


Questions:

Would my wife be able to apply for and receive a new BRP card as the current one is expiring in December 2024?

My understanding is that the cards are being phased out and replaced by e-Visas, where your imigration status is linked to the passport and can be checked online - is this correct?

If this is the case and the cards are totally phased out, how would my wife be able to prove her immigration status whilst boarding a flight to return to the UK?

I understand the e-Visa will make it easier for checking immigration status when arriving at a UK port of entry, but how will she be able to prove that she has a valid visa or entry clearance when boarding a flight to the UK?

Normally the airlines at check-in and immigration authorities in non-EU/UK countries require a valid visa in the passport or a BRP before they allow you to board a flight. So how will they be able to check that my wife has valid clearance to enter?

Without any physical proof I fear they may deny boarding

I have tried to look for an answer to my question but haven't found anything - is there something obvious I'm missing or have the Home Office made an exception for non-UK/EU citizens where they would still be able to have a BRP after December 2024?


Many thanks

[vinny]

See also eVisas and online only immigration status.