A biometric residence permit ( BRP ) can be used to confirm your: identity right to study or work in the UK right to any public services or benefits you’re entitled to You’ll usually get a BRP if you: apply to come to the UK for longer than 6 months extend your visa to longer than 6 months apply to settle in the UK transfer your visa to a new passport apply for certain Home Office travel documents You do not have to apply separately for a BRP . You will not get a BRP if you use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to prove your identity when applying for your visa. You’ll get a digital immigration status instead. What’s on your BRP Your BRP will include: your name, date and place of birth your fingerprints and a photo of your face (this is your biometric information ) your immigration status and any conditions of your stay whether you can access public funds, for example benefits and health services You may have a National Insurance ( NI ) number printed on the back of your BRP . Not all BRPs have this - it depends on factors like the date it was issued and your visa status. You’ll need to apply for an NI number if all of the following apply: there is not one on your BRP you do not already have one you’re planning to work, claim benefits, apply for a student loan or pay Class 3 voluntary National Insurance contributions Guidance Read the guidance about biometric residence permits if you’re applying from: inside the UK outside the UK

Give your fingerprints and photo

You’ll be asked to provide your fingerprints and photo (‘biometric information’) if you’re getting a biometric residence permit ( BRP ) as part of your visa or immigration application. You need to: have a digital photo taken of your face put your fingers on a glass screen to be scanned The process takes less than 5 minutes and does not involve any ink or mess. You will not need to take off your head covering if you wear it for religious or medical reasons. If you do not have any fingers you only need to have a digital photo taken of your face. It will be noted on your records that you’re physically unable to provide fingerprints. What children need to do when they give their biometric information Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone over 18 who has legal responsibility for them. Children do not need to give their fingerprints if they are under 5 when they apply. Where to provide your biometric information Where you give your biometric information depends on how you’re making your visa or immigration application. If you’re applying from within the UK, you’ll usually go to one of the following: a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point a Service and Support Centre (SSC) If you’re outside the UK, you’ll be asked to go to a visa application centre . Most overseas UK visa application centres are open, but some are closed until further notice because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Check with your local visa application centre for the latest information on the services they’re offering. If you’re applying to extend your stay or switch to a different visa, you must be in the UK to provide your biometric information. Fee It costs £19.20 to give your biometric information (or reuse it if you’ve provided it before) if you apply from within the UK. If you apply from outside the UK the cost is included in your application fee.

How you get your biometric residence permit ( BRP ) depends on where you made your visa or immigration application. If you applied from inside the UK Your BRP will be sent to you by courier. You do not need to collect it. You’ll usually receive it within 7 to 10 days of getting your ‘decision letter’ from the Home Office saying that you can remain in the UK. Find out what to do if your BRP has not arrived within 10 days. Your BRP will be sent to the address you gave in your application. If you want it to be sent elsewhere, you need to update your address before you receive your decision letter. If you applied from outside the UK Collect your BRP once you’re in the UK. You must usually do this before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later. Do not collect your BRP if you’re self-isolating because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Post Office will keep your BRP for 60 days. Collect it when you finish self-isolating. Check your decision letter. It will tell you to collect your BRP from either: a named Post Office branch your sponsor, if you chose this option when you applied You must be over 18 to collect a BRP . If your Post Office branch is closed because of coronavirus, your BRP will be stored safely until it reopens. Contact your Post Office for more information . What you’ll need Bring your passport or travel document with your vignette sticker in when you collect your BRP . You’ll get your vignette sticker when your visa application is approved. You have permission to come to the UK within 90 days of getting it. Collecting a child’s BRP You must be nominated to collect a child’s BRP , even if you’re the child’s parent. The Home Office will tell you within 5 working days if you’re approved to collect the child’s BRP . You do not need to be nominated if you’re also collecting your own BRP and you are named on your child’s vignette sticker. Collecting your BRP from a different Post Office branch You can choose to pick up your BRP from a different Post Office branch. You’ll need to arrange this at the branch and pay a fee. Check that the Post Office branch you want to use offers a ‘ BRP collection service’. Nominate someone else to collect your BRP You can nominate someone else to collect your BRP if you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from collecting it. They must provide your passport as evidence that you’ve entered the UK. You cannot nominate someone to collect your BRP if you’re self-isolating because of coronavirus. Collect it when you finish self-isolating. The person you nominate must have one of the following: a passport an EU national identity card a BRP You can get someone to make the nomination for you, for example a legal representative, charity, employer, college or university. You’ll be told within 5 working days if the person you nominate is approved to collect your BRP . If you change your mind, you can still collect your BRP yourself or you can nominate a different person. You do not need to cancel the original nomination. Nominate someone Report a problem with collecting your BRP Tell the Home Office if you cannot collect your BRP for any reason, for example: you went to collect it from the Post Office and it was not there you’ve lost your passport or travel document, or cannot prove your identity you do not know which Post Office to go to because you’ve lost your decision letter The Home Office will email you to tell you what to do next. You will usually get a response within 5 working days. It’ll take longer if you do not give an email address. If you need to leave and re-enter the UK before you get your BRP , apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’ . This will let you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154. Do not tell the Home Office that you cannot collect your BRP if you’re self-isolating because of coronavirus. Collect it when you finish self-isolating. Report now If there’s a problem with your BRP Report any problems with your BRP within 10 days of collecting it.

If your BRP has not arrived

You will usually receive your biometric residence permit ( BRP ) within 10 days of getting your ‘decision letter’ from the Home Office if you applied from inside the UK. Before your BRP arrives You may be able to prove your immigration status a different way if your BRP has not arrived yet. Prove your right to work If the visa sticker (called a vignette) in your passport or travel document has not expired, you can use it as proof of your right to work in the UK. If the vignette has expired, your employer can ask the Home Office to confirm your right to work . Prove your right to rent in England If the visa sticker (called a vignette) in your passport or travel document has not expired, you can use it as proof of your right to rent. If the vignette has expired, your landlord can contact the Home Office to confirm your right to rent . You do not need to prove your right to rent in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Prove your immigration status to the government or the NHS If you need to prove your status to get benefits or use the NHS, tell the government department, local council or NHS service you’re dealing with that your BRP has not arrived. They will contact the Home Office to confirm your status. Leave the UK If you need to leave and re-enter the UK before you get your BRP , apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’. This will let you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154. When you apply, you’ll need to: choose the country you’re going to provide your fingerprints and photo in confirm that you can travel to a visa application centre Apply for a replacement BRP visa . Open a bank account You usually do not need a BRP to open a bank account. Contact the bank to check if you’ll need a BRP or if you can use a different document. If your BRP has not arrived within 10 days Contact the delivery provider TNT if either: your BRP has not arrived within 10 days of you getting your decision letter you missed the delivery of your BRP The delivery provider will track your BRP and rearrange delivery, if needed. You’ll need: the postcode of the address you gave in your application the consignment number Your consignment number is a 9 number code - you’ll usually have it in an email from gov.notify and TNT. Contact TNT to track or rearrange the delivery of your BRP . If you do not have a consignment number or TNT is unable to help, tell the Home Office that your BRP has not arrived. Tell the Home Office that your BRP has not arrived You can contact the Home Office about your BRP delivery if: you’ve applied from inside the UK your ‘decision letter’ from the Home Office saying that you can remain in the UK arrived more than 10 days ago You should only contact the Home Office if either: you have already contacted the delivery provider, and they could not help you you do not have a consignment number to track your delivery with the delivery provider You’ll need the following information: your full name, date of birth and nationality an email or postal address your decision letter You can get someone to contact the Home Office for you, for example a legal representative, charity, employer, college or university. The Home Office will email you to tell you what to do next. You will usually get a response within 5 working days. It’ll take longer if you do not give an email address. Do not use this service if the delivery provider tried to deliver your BRP and left a card, or sent a text message or email. Contact them to rearrange delivery. Report now

Report a problem with your new BRP

If there’s a problem with your BRP when it arrives, report it within 10 days. Otherwise you may have to apply and pay for a replacement . You can report online if your BRP does not arrive . Mistakes in the length or conditions of your visa If you applied for your visa from inside the UK, you can ask for an administrative review . If your BRP expires on 31 December 2024 You do not need to tell UKVI if your BRP expires on 31 December 2024 but you have leave to stay longer. UKVI will update their information on how to update your BRP in early 2024. You do not need to do anything and your immigration status will not be affected. Other problems with your BRP You can report other problems with your BRP online, for example: there’s a mistake on it, for example your name, gender or date of birth is wrong your BRP was damaged when it arrived If your name is long it may appear ‘cut off’ on your BRP. This is not a mistake - it is because there is limited space on the BRP card. However, if there’s a spelling mistake, you must report it . Report a problem with your BRP online You’ll need to have the following: your BRP number your full name, date of birth and nationality as they appear on your BRP an email or postal address You can get someone to report the problem for you, for example a legal representative, a charity, employer, college or university. The Home Office will email you to tell you what to do next. You will usually get a response within 5 working days. It’ll take longer if you do not give an email address. Report a problem If there is a problem with your BRP and you need to leave and re-enter the UK, apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’ . This will let you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154.

If your BRP is lost or stolen

You can report your biometric residence permit ( BRP ) lost or stolen from inside or outside the UK. You can only order a replacement from inside the UK. The Home Office will contact you within one working day of reporting it. You can get someone to report for you, for example a legal representative, a charity, employer, college or university. You will not be able to use your BRP if you find it after you report it lost or stolen. If you’re in the UK If your lost or stolen BRP was valid for 3 months or more, report it and apply for a replacement . You must do this within 3 months of losing it. You can be fined up to £1,000 and made to leave the UK if you do not apply for a replacement within 3 months. If your BRP was valid for 3 months or less, you must do one of the following: report it as lost or stolen if you do not intend to remain in the UK after its expiry date apply for a replacement if you plan to leave and re-enter the UK within 3 months of its expiry date apply to extend your visa if you want to stay in the UK after its expiry date - if granted, you’ll automatically get a new BRP If you’re outside the UK You must report your lost or stolen BRP outside the UK . You cannot apply for a replacement BRP outside the UK. Instead, you’ll need to apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’ , which lets you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154. You can apply for a replacement BRP when you return to the UK. You must do this within 3 months of reporting it lost or stolen unless you have a good reason, for example you were unable to return to the UK in that time. If you’ve been away for over 2 years and you’ve lost your documentation proving your right to live in the UK, you can apply for a Returning Resident visa . If you’re in North Korea you cannot apply for a replacement BRP visa online. Read the guidance for North Korea and use form VAF2 instead.

Replace an expired BRP

How you replace an expired BRP depends on whether you are in the UK and what type of leave you have. If you have indefinite leave to remain or enter Use the BRP replacement service from within the UK. If your visa is about to expire Your BRP expiry date is usually the same as the expiry date of your visa. To get a new BRP , you must first apply to extend your visa. If it is granted, you will automatically get a new BRP . You cannot use the BRP replacement service. If you’re outside the UK You cannot apply for a replacement BRP if it expires while you are outside the UK. Instead, you’ll need to apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’ , which lets you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154. You can apply for a replacement BRP when you return to the UK. You must do this within 3 months of its expiry unless you have a good reason, for example you were unable to return to the UK in that time.

Replace your visa with a BRP

You can apply for a biometric residence permit ( BRP ) to replace the visa (or wet ink stamp) in your passport or travel document, for example if: your passport or travel document has expired or it’s been lost or stolen the details on your visa (including your facial appearance) have changed You must apply from inside the UK. There’s a different way to prove you can live in the UK if you’re an EU citizen or related to someone from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland . The fee and how you apply depend on your visa status. When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You have permission to settle (‘indefinite leave to remain’) You must apply online if you have indefinite leave to remain . It costs £229. You’ll get a decision within 6 months. If you want a faster decision you can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service. You’ll get a decision: by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is on a weekday 2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays. You have temporary permission to stay in the UK (‘leave to remain’) You can apply online if you have leave to remain . It costs £161. You’ll get a decision within 8 weeks. If you want a faster decision you can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service. You’ll get a decision: by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is on a weekday 2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays. You’re a Commonwealth citizen and do not have the documents to prove your right to stay in the UK You may be eligible to get a BRP under the Windrush Scheme . Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Biometric residence permits (BRPs)

What a BRP is

A biometric residence permit (BRP) can be used to confirm your:

identity
right to study or work in the UK
right to any public services or benefits you’re entitled to

You’ll usually get a BRP if you:

apply to come to the UK for longer than 6 months
extend your visa to longer than 6 months
apply to settle in the UK
transfer your visa to a new passport
apply for certain Home Office travel documents

You do not have to apply separately for a BRP.

You will not get a BRP if you use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to prove your identity when applying for your visa. You’ll get a digital immigration status instead.

What’s on your BRP

Your BRP will include:

your name, date and place of birth
your fingerprints and a photo of your face (this is your biometric information)
your immigration status and any conditions of your stay
whether you can access public funds, for example benefits and health services

You may have a National Insurance (NI) number printed on the back of your BRP. Not all BRPs have this - it depends on factors like the date it was issued and your visa status.

You’ll need to apply for an NI number if all of the following apply:

there is not one on your BRP
you do not already have one
you’re planning to work, claim benefits, apply for a student loan or pay Class 3 voluntary National Insurance contributions

Guidance

Read the guidance about biometric residence permits if you’re applying from:

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