What is a Biometric Residence Permit?
A biometric residence permit (BRP) is an identity card given to those who have been granted a visa that allows them to stay in the UK for six months or more. A BRP can be used as proof of identity, right to study and right to any public services or benefits that a person may be entitled to. Your BRP card will include personal and biometric information, including:
- Name, date of birth and place of birth
- Immigration status
- Fingerprints and passport-sized photograph of your face
- Status on access to public funds and services
If you applied for your visa from outside of the UK, your passport will be endorsed with a visa or entry clearance vignette (sticker), which is valid for up to 90 days. You will be told where to collect your BRP once you arrive in the country – normally from a local Post Office, or your place of study if you are entering as a sponsored student.
If you submitted an immigration application from inside the UK, you should receive your BRP within 10 days of receiving your decision letter. Your BRP will be sent to the address that you provided in your application.
If your BRP has not arrived within 10 working days of receipt of your decision letter, you will need to contact the delivery company to track the delivery of your BRP. To do this, you will need the postcode of the address that you gave in your application and the nine-digit consignment number from the BRP delivery emails.
If the delivery company is unable to assist, and you still have not received your BRP, you can report this to the Home Office here.
You will not need to apply for a BRP if you want to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Instead, you will need to follow the UK government’s online process for proving your right to live and work in the UK.
In the following guide, you can find more information about BRPs, including what they are used for and what to do if you have issues with yours. For more advice on BRPs and your immigration status, speak to our team today.
What is a biometric residence permit used for?
Your BRP will be used to confirm your identity and right to work, study and use public services while you are in the UK. If you apply for a BRP card from within the UK, you should receive it by courier. If you apply for your BRP from outside of the UK, you must collect it once you arrive in the UK before the vignette sticker on your travel document expires.
How to apply for a biometric residence permit
When you apply for a UK visa that requires you to submit biometric data, you will be provided with a BRP if applicable to your visa route. However, if you do not have one and wish to apply, you may be able to do so if your passport or travel document has been lost or stolen, or if the biometric identifying details on your visa have changed.
To be able to apply for a new BRP, you must already be inside the UK and will need to do so through a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) appointment. You will need to attend your appointment in person so you can provide your fingerprints and an updated photo.
The requirements of your BRP application, including the fee you will need to pay, will depend on the requirements of your visa. For guidance on these requirements, you should speak to our team of expert immigration solicitors; we will be able to assess your situation and advise you on what information you will need to gather and provide at your UKVCAS appointment.