Biometric residence permits (BRPs)
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.
Replacing your expired BRP will not give you more time to stay in the UK if your leave (for example, your visa) is expiring. You must apply to extend your leave if you want to continue living and working in the UK.
If you have indefinite leave to remain or enter
Use the BRP replacement service from within the UK.
You’ll usually get a decision on your application within 6 months of applying online.
If your application is approved, your BRP will be sent to you with your decision letter.
There are other ways to prove your immigration status while you wait for a replacement BRP.
If your visa is about to expire
You cannot use the BRP replacement service. You’ll need to apply to extend your visa or apply for a new visa instead. If it is granted, you’ll automatically get a new BRP.
If you have a biometric residence card instead of a BRP
BRPs are different from biometric residence cards (BRCs).
BRCs are also called ‘UK residence cards’. You might have a BRC and not a BRP if both of the following apply:
- you’re in the UK as a family member of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- you do not have a visa
BRCs have ‘residence card’ printed on them. Find out about replacing an expired BRC.
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’ll need to prove your identity at a visa application centre to complete your application.
You’ll usually get a decision on your application within 3 weeks of proving your identity.
If your application is approved, your BRP will be sent to you with your decision letter.
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.