Overview

You can no longer apply for a UK residence card, also called an EEA biometric residence card (BRC).

You cannot use your UK residence card to confirm your right to live, work or rent in the UK.

To continue living in the UK, you need another type of permission to stay, such as pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

You need to prove your right to work online or prove your right to rent online instead.

A UK residence card or BRC is different from a ‘biometric residence permit’ (BRP). You might have a BRP if you have a visa for more than 6 months, indefinite leave to remain or certain Home Office travel documents. BRPs say ‘residence permit’ on them.

If you have pre-settled or settled status

You can continue to use your residence card until it expires. You can use it to:

You can also use your share code to:

  • prove your right to work to an employer
  • prove your right to rent to a landlord
  • prove that you qualify for certain benefits

If you’re not from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If your residence card is expired, lost or stolen, you need to get an EU Settlement Scheme BRC to re-enter the UK before you travel abroad.

If you’re outside the UK when your card needs replacing, you need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme travel permit to get into the UK.

If you do not have pre-settled or settled status

You cannot use your UK residence card at the border to enter the UK unless you applied to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021.

You might still be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you have not yet applied.

If your UK residence card has not reached its expiry date, you can use it as proof of identity when you apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

You can apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK, and apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once you’re here.

If you cannot apply, check what type of visa you’ll need to come to the UK.