What a BRP is

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

  • identity
  • right to study
  • right to any public services or benefits you’re entitled to

You cannot use your BRP to prove your right to work or prove your right to rent.

BRPs are different from biometric residence cards (BRCs), which are also called ‘UK residence cards’.

BRPs are being replaced by eVisas. An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status. BRPs are no longer issued, but you can still collect one if you made a visa application from outside the UK.

If you have a BRP

Most BRPs will expire on 31 December 2024. The expiry date of your BRP is printed on your permit.

You can continue to use your BRP until it expires.

You will not be able to use your BRP to prove your immigration status after your BRP has expired. You’ll need to use an eVisa instead.

Set up access to your eVisa.

If you do not have a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account already, you’ll have to create an account. You can do this at the same time as you set up access to your eVisa.

If you have permission to stay in the UK longer than your BRP, you need to set up access to your eVisa. Access to your eVisa will not be automatically set up.

What’s on a BRP

A 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 also have a National Insurance (NI) number printed on the back of your permit.