Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), just like your passport issued by your home government, is an official immigration document issued by the UK Government under strict criteria. Because of its importance, take every step to keep it safe.
Always secure your BRP in a safe location whenever you take it out. When you're out and about, keep your bag, wallet, or purse containing your BRP firmly in your possession.
The Home Office are no longer producing Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) as of 31 October 2024. However, if you have a BRP and it is lost or stolen, you must still report this.
If your BRP is lost or stolen in the UK
Follow these steps:
- Report your BRP as lost or stolen to the Home Office
- Report your BRP as lost or stolen to local police in area where you realised BRP was lost/stolen
- Wait to receive communication from the Home Office (usually within 1 working day)
- Follow instructions from the communication you receive from the Home Office
If your BRP is lost or stolen outside the UK
To travel back to the UK, you may need to either set up access to an eVisa or get a 'replacement BRP visa' to return to the UK.
Follow these steps:
- Report your BRP as lost or stolen to the Home Office
- Report your BRP as lost or stolen to local police in area where you realised BRP was lost/stolen
- Wait to receive communication from the Home Office (usually within 1 working day)
- Follow instructions from the communication you receive from the Home Office
Setting up access to your eVisa
You will need a UKVI account to access your eVisa.
Before travelling, you will have to update your UKVI account with your most recent passport details and check that you can access your eVisa. Students can visit our eVisa page for information on how to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa.
Get a Temporary visa
This information is only in circumstances if you are outside the UK and cannot set up access to your eVisa or update your UKVI account. You will have to get a Temporary visa.
This costs £154 and allows you to enter the UK once only. When you apply, you will have to attend an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometrics.
When you arrive back in the UK, you will need to setup your UKVI account and eVisa or contact UKVI for support in resolving issues accessing your UKVI account or eVisa.
Why can't I get a replacement BRP card?
UK Visas and Immigration have recently advised from 26 September 2024, you can no longer request a replacement BRP card. UKVI will stop issuing BRPs from 31 October 2024 and instead will be replaced by eVisas.