Guidance

Biometric residence permits: applicant and sponsor information

Use this information to understand how to apply for a biometric residence permit or learn whether prospective staff can work in the UK.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Published: 6 April 2014
• Last updated: 2 June 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 2 June 2025

     Updated to reflect that expired biometric residence permits can no longer be used to travel to the UK.

  2. 27 February 2025

     Updated as expired BRPs should be carried when travelling to the UK before or on 1 June 2025.

  3. 31 December 2024

     Updated the section 'Biometric residence permits near to the end date?' with information about using a biometric residence permit that expires on or after 31 December 2024.

  4. 7 February 2022

     Added accessible HTML version of guidance.

  5. 9 November 2018

     Updated guidance.

  6. 20 July 2016

     Updated guidance.

  7. 6 July 2016

     Updated guidance.

  8. 1 July 2016

     Updated guidance.

  9. 26 February 2016

     Updated guidance.

  10. 7 September 2015

      Updated guidance.

  11. 6 April 2015

      updated guidance

  12. 18 March 2015

      updated guidance to reflect administrative review changes

  13. 6 April 2014

      First published.

Documents

Biometric residence permits: general information for applicants, employers and sponsors

HTML

Details

This leaflet explains the Home Office process for applying for a biometric residence permit and how employers can check that prospective employees have a right to work in the UK.