COA and travel

[doctor1989]

1. When applying for EEA-FM RC will I be forfeiting my ability to travel and come back into the UK (as they would have my old biometric card)?

2. The home office states I only need a RC to make travel and getting through border control easier. Suggesting it's not essential. Anyone got experience in clearing border control with only proof of marriage to an eea national?

3. Would a COA be enough to allow travel out and into the county?

[dan1988uk]

It’s not advisable to travel without a residence card, especially if you are a visa national because you might not even arrive at the border because many airlines will not even board you.

[doctor1989]

It’s not advisable to travel without a residence card, especially if you are a visa national because you might not even arrive at the border because many airlines will not even board you.

Thank you for your reply. That's what I thought.

So would they normally return my current biometric card when applying? Or do they keep it?

I'm asking because my current job requires me to travel to a conference in the time I'm planning on making my application.