Your complete guide to Biometric Residence Permits — what they are, when to renew, how to apply online and what to do if your BRP is lost or stolen.
| What is a BRP? | A biometric card confirming your immigration status in the UK |
| Who gets one? | Most non-EEA nationals with leave over 6 months |
| BRP replacement fee | £324 if lost/stolen; FREE if issued incorrectly by UKVI |
| eVisa transition | From 31 Dec 2024 — most BRPs replaced by digital eVisa |
| UKVI account needed | Yes — create at gov.uk/evisa to access your eVisa |
| eVisa share code | Generated from UKVI account to prove status to employers/landlords |
| Visa expiry vs BRP expiry | Your visa leave may extend beyond BRP expiry date on some routes |
The UK is transitioning from physical BRP cards to a digital eVisa system. From 31 December 2024, most migrants' immigration status is held digitally in a UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) online account. You use your UKVI account to generate share codes to prove your status to employers, landlords and others.
If you have a BRP, you should create a UKVI account at gov.uk/evisa to access your eVisa. You will need your BRP card and a smartphone or device with a camera to scan your documents. Once set up, you can view your immigration status and generate share codes.
Report a lost or stolen BRP to the police and then report it to the Home Office within 3 days. You can apply for a replacement BRP (or update your UKVI account) at GOV.UK. The replacement fee is £324 if the loss is your fault.
If your BRP contains incorrect information (wrong name, date of birth, etc.), contact the UKVI immediately. A replacement for an incorrectly issued BRP is free of charge.
When your visa leave is due to expire, you must apply to extend it before the expiry date. The BRP/eVisa is linked to your leave — renewing your visa updates your immigration status automatically in the digital system. Use our Visa Fee Calculator to estimate the cost of your extension.
When travelling internationally, you use your passport (not your BRP) to travel. Border Force can verify your immigration status electronically. However, some airlines may not be aware of eVisas — the Home Office recommends carrying your share code reference or having access to your UKVI account to show your status if asked.
Generate a share code from your UKVI account at gov.uk/prove-right-to-work (for employers) or gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent (for landlords). Share codes are valid for 90 days.
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