Biometric residence permits (BRP) used to be the main form of proof of UK immigration status. They are physical cards issued by the UK Home Office to individuals granted permission to stay in the UK for longer than six months.
Under the new eVisa system, however, BRPs have been phased out and are no longer issued to foreign nationals as evidence of their lawful status. Instead, individuals should now rely on a digital eVisa, which can be used in instances such as proving their right to work and right to rent.
In this guide, we update on important changes impacting Biometric Residence Permits and what this means for BRP holders.
What is a Biometric Residence Permit?
Introduced in 2008 as part of a broader modernisation of UK border controls, the BRP replaced older forms of documentation and became the standard means for non-EEA nationals to evidence their right to reside in the UK for an extended period.
A BRP is a physical polycarbonate card containing both the holder’s biometric information and immigration status in a tamperproof embedded chip. The permit has a unique document number.
BRPs were used to confirm the holder’s identity and immigration status. They were designed to provide an easy way of reliably identifying a foreign national, and to help combat illegal working, reduce illegal immigration to the UK and prevent criminal activities such as identity fraud.
Those applying for a UK visa for more than 6 months are required to enrol their biometrics as part of the application process. Biometrics refer to information about an individual’s external physical characteristics, including a digital facial photograph and a digital fingerprint scan. This information was then used in the biometric residence permit.
The BRP is similar in size and form to an identity card or a photo driving licence, displaying the following information:
- your name
- date and place of birth
- biometric information (fingerprints and passport-style photo)
- immigration status
- conditions of your stay in the UK
- whether you may apply for public funds, such as benefits and healthcare
BRPs were valid for the duration of a person’s limited leave, or for up to a maximum of 10 years, or 5 years if under 16.
Recent changes, however, mean that BRPs can no longer be used as proof of the right to work or the right to rent, and from 1 June 2025 can no longer be used for international travel.
BRPs replaced by eVisas
Biometric Residence Permits have now been replaced by the digital eVisa system. The Home Office has ceased to issue new BRPs since November 2024, in light of the transition to the eVisa system.
You now need an eVisa to be able to prove your right to right and right to work, and from 1 June 2025, for international travel purposes.
Existing BRP holders must set up an online eVisa account with UKVI, which they can use to prove their UK immigration status online, without needing a BRP.
Read more about the transition from BRPs to eVisa here >>
Can you still use your BRP?
BRPs can no longer be used to prove your right to work in the UK. They have been removed from the list of acceptable documents that can be used by employers to conduct a manual right to work check.
Instead of the BRP, to prove the right to work, you will need to use the Home Office online service to generate or check a share code.
The same applies to the right to rent; landlords in England can no longer accept physical BRP cards. Instead, tenants with BRPs must use a share code.
As part of the transition to the eVisa system, a temporary concession has been put in place until 1 June 2025, allowing BRPs holders to use their cards for travel purposes to re-enter the UK, provided they hold valid status.
How to prove or access your immigration status after BRPs end
Individuals will be required to access and prove their UK immigration status using a digital eVisa, available through a UKVI account. The shift to a fully digital system means you will no longer need a physical BRP to prove your right to live, work, rent, or study in the UK. It is essential to set up your UKVI account well before your BRP expires to avoid disruption.
Creating a UKVI account
To access your digital immigration status, you must create a UKVI account. You can do this at: www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
To set up your account, you’ll need:
- Your BRP (even if it expires on 31 December 2024)
- Your passport or travel document
- An email address and phone number
The process involves verifying your identity and linking your current immigration status to your new UKVI account. Once set up, your eVisa can be accessed securely online.
Using your eVisa and share codes
Your eVisa is a secure online record of your immigration status. You can view your status, check its conditions (such as the right to work or access public services), and generate a share code.
Share codes are used to give employers, landlords, universities, or other third parties time-limited access to verify your right to work, rent, or study in the UK. These codes are valid for 30 days and can be generated at any time through your UKVI account.
Proving your status without a physical document
From 2025, physical BRPs will no longer be accepted as proof of status. Instead, the Home Office expects everyone to use the online View and Prove service to demonstrate their immigration rights.
If your BRP has expired but your leave remains valid, your immigration status is still legally recognised. However, without a UKVI account, you may not be able to prove your status to employers or service providers — so it is vital to act promptly.
Employers and landlords are now required to use online checks for most immigration statuses, and failure to provide a share code could result in delays or access issues.
Need assistance?
For specialist guidance, contact our UK immigration law specialists.
FAQs on BRPs
What is a BRP?
A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is an identity document issued by the UK Home Office to foreign nationals granted permission to stay in the UK for more than six months. It includes personal details, immigration status, and biometric data.
Do I still need a BRP after 2024?
All BRPs expire on 31 December 2024, even if your visa or leave to remain is valid beyond that date. The Home Office is replacing physical BRPs with digital immigration status, known as an eVisa.
Will my immigration status expire when my BRP does?
The expiry of your BRP does not affect your immigration status. Your permission to stay in the UK remains valid until the end date stated in your decision letter or UKVI records.
How do I prove my status after my BRP expires?
You must set up a UKVI account and use the online service to access your eVisa. From there, you can generate share codes to prove your right to work, rent, or access services.
Can I still travel if my BRP has expired?
You may be able to return to the UK using an expired BRP until 1 June 2025, provided your immigration status is still valid. After that date, you will need to prove your status digitally.
Do I need to carry my BRP with me at all times?
While BRPs are still valid, you are not legally required to carry them at all times. However, you must present it when requested at the UK border, or when proving your immigration status before 2025.
What if I lose my BRP before 2025?
You should report the loss to the Home Office immediately. Replacement BRPs will no longer be issued after late 2024, and you may be directed to set up a UKVI account instead.
How do I set up a UKVI account?
Visit www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status and follow the instructions to create your account. You’ll need your passport or BRP and access to an email and phone number.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) | An official UK identity card previously issued to foreign nationals with permission to stay in the UK for more than six months. It includes biometric and immigration information. |
| eVisa | A digital record of an individual’s UK immigration status, accessed through a UKVI account. Replaces the need for a physical BRP from 2025. |
| UKVI | UK Visas and Immigration, the Home Office department responsible for managing visa applications and immigration status in the UK. |
| Share Code | A unique, time-limited code generated through a UKVI account to allow others (e.g. employers or landlords) to check your immigration status online. |
| Immigration Status | The legal position that determines an individual’s rights to live, work, study, or access services in the UK. |
| Permission to Stay | Official approval by the Home Office allowing someone to remain in the UK for a set period, also referred to as leave to remain. |
| Decision Letter | The formal letter issued by the Home Office outlining the outcome of an immigration application and the conditions of stay. |
| UKVI Account | An online account used to access your digital immigration status (eVisa) and to prove your rights in the UK. |
| View and Prove Service | An online government tool that allows individuals to view their immigration status and generate a share code for verification by third parties. |
| Grace Period | A short period after a deadline during which certain rules or services remain in effect — e.g. travel with expired BRPs allowed until 1 June 2025. |
Additional Resources
UK Home Office
https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration
Official government portal for all visa and immigration services. Provides detailed guides on BRP applications, renewals, and other immigration procedures.
UK Visa and Immigration Services
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
Official site for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), offering comprehensive resources on visa types, application processes, and policy updates.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)
https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/
Provides advice and information to international students regarding visas and living in the UK, including details about BRP.
National Health Service (NHS) – Healthcare for Immigrants
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/visiting-or-moving-to-england/using-the-nhs-in-england/
Information on how non-EEA nationals with a BRP can access NHS services.
Citizens Advice – Immigration
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/
Offers practical, impartial information on immigration, including rights and laws for BRP holders.
The Law Society
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/
Provides a searchable database of solicitors in the UK who specialise in immigration law and can assist with BRP applications and disputes.
Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA)
http://www.ilpa.org.uk/
A professional association that provides resources and training to lawyers specialising in UK immigration law.
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
