Do I Need a Biometric Card if I Have Indefinite Leave to Remain

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a form of settled status under UK immigration law that allows a person to live and work in the UK without time restrictions. It confirms the right to stay permanently, access public services and travel freely in and out of the UK without applying for further visas. ILR does not expire, though it can lapse if the holder spends more than two continuous years outside the UK.

A common question among ILR holders is whether a physical biometric residence card is still required to prove their status. Until recently, most people granted ILR received a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) as physical confirmation of their immigration status. However, BRPs are no longer produced and have not been valid for official checks since 1 January 2025. They have been replaced by digital immigration records known as eVisas, which are now the standard method of confirming lawful status.

ILR holders can access their eVisa by creating or signing into a UKVI account. This account provides secure access to their immigration status and allows them to generate share codes when proving their right to work, rent or access services.

This guide is intended for ILR holders who need to confirm how to prove their settled status under the current system. It is also relevant to dependants, employers, landlords and legal representatives who are supporting individuals with ILR under the eVisa framework.

 

Section A: What Is Indefinite Leave to Remain?

 

Indefinite Leave to Remain is a long-term immigration status granted by the UK Home Office. It allows individuals to remain in the UK without time restrictions and to live, work and study without the need for further immigration permission. ILR does not grant citizenship but offers many of the same rights, including access to public services. It is often a required step for those planning to naturalise as British citizens.

 

1. Legal Definition and Benefits of ILR

 

ILR is defined under the UK Immigration Rules as permission to stay in the UK indefinitely, free from immigration time limits. ILR holders are not subject to immigration control. They can work in any job, study without restriction and access NHS healthcare and other services. There is no requirement to renew ILR once granted, although it can lapse if the person leaves the UK for more than two continuous years.

 

2. ILR, Permanent Residence and Citizenship

 

ILR differs from permanent residence, which applied under EU law to certain EEA nationals before Brexit. Permanent residence cards are no longer accepted for immigration purposes and have been replaced with digital status under the EU Settlement Scheme or by ILR under UK rules.

ILR is also distinct from British citizenship. While ILR allows permanent residence in the UK, it does not entitle the holder to a British passport or to vote in general elections. However, most people with ILR can apply for naturalisation after 12 months, provided they meet the eligibility requirements, such as continuous residence and good character.

 

3. Rights Associated with ILR in 2025

 

In 2025, ILR holders continue to have the right to remain in the UK indefinitely. They can access healthcare, work in any occupation, open a bank account and rent property. There are no visa renewal fees or immigration health surcharge payments once ILR is granted.

All ILR holders now prove their status using a UKVI account and eVisa. Physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) have been phased out and are no longer valid or accepted. The digital status system is now used for all right to work, rent and service checks. It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure their online immigration status is up to date and accessible.

 

4. Conclusion

 

Indefinite Leave to Remain is a settled immigration status offering long-term security and access to many of the rights enjoyed by British citizens. While ILR itself has not changed, the way it is proven has. BRPs are no longer used, and from 2025, all ILR holders must rely on their eVisa and UKVI account to prove their rights in the UK.

 

Section B: What Happened to Biometric Residence Permits?

 

BRPs were previously the main form of physical proof used to confirm immigration status for individuals granted leave to remain in the UK, including those with ILR. Introduced to standardise and secure the way status was recorded, BRPs were used for more than a decade in immigration, employment and housing checks. As of January 2025, however, BRPs have been fully phased out.

 

1. Why BRPs Were Introduced

 

BRPs were launched in 2008 as part of the UK’s effort to modernise its immigration system. They served as identity cards for visa holders, containing biometric data such as a facial image and fingerprints, alongside details of the holder’s immigration conditions. The cards helped to reduce fraud and became widely relied upon by employers, landlords, banks and government departments to verify a person’s immigration status.

 

2. Timeline of BRP Expiry and Replacement

 

Beginning in early 2020, the Home Office issued BRPs with a uniform expiry date of 31 December 2024. This was part of a planned transition away from physical documentation and towards a fully digital status model. The expiry date did not reflect the actual end of an individual’s leave to remain, but instead the date when all BRPs would cease to be valid.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, the government expanded the use of digital tools and introduced UKVI accounts across a range of immigration categories. By the end of 2024, all BRPs had expired, and no new cards were issued after that point.

 

3. End of Physical BRP Cards

 

As of 1 January 2025, BRPs are no longer valid for proof of status and are no longer produced or accepted. New applicants, including those granted ILR, no longer receive a BRP. Instead, all individuals must prove their status digitally through their UKVI account.

Those who previously relied on BRPs must now use the government’s online ‘View and Prove Your Immigration Status’ service. Employers, landlords, universities and public service providers must use the GOV.UK share code system to carry out legal checks. A BRP cannot be used for right to work or right to rent checks and should not be presented as valid documentation.

 

4. The Move to eVisa as Standard

 

The eVisa has replaced the BRP as the default way to prove UK immigration status. It is a digital record stored in a UKVI account and is linked to the holder’s passport. ILR holders must now log into their UKVI account to view their eVisa and generate a share code when asked to confirm their status.

Unlike BRPs, the eVisa cannot be lost, stolen or damaged, and it can be accessed from any internet-connected device. This shift supports the Home Office’s wider move towards a more secure and paperless immigration system. The eVisa is now fully operational across all immigration categories.

 

5. Conclusion

 

BRPs were a key part of the UK immigration system for over 15 years, but they are no longer in use. The transition to digital-only immigration records has been completed, and all ILR holders now prove their status using an eVisa via their UKVI account. BRPs are no longer issued, valid or accepted for official checks. Anyone who previously held a BRP must now rely on the eVisa system for all immigration-related verification.

 

Section C: Do ILR Holders Still Need a BRP in 2025?

 

Many individuals granted ILR in previous years were issued a BRP as physical proof of their immigration status. With the UK government’s shift to a digital-only system, ILR holders may still wonder whether a BRP is needed in 2025. The answer is no. BRPs are no longer issued or accepted. This section explains what has changed, how ILR holders now prove their status and what action to take if a BRP has expired or is missing.

 

1. BRPs Are No Longer Issued for ILR

 

The Home Office no longer produces or issues BRPs as of 2025. ILR granted from this point onward is confirmed digitally and is not accompanied by any physical document. BRPs that were issued before the change all expired on or before 31 December 2024. The expiry was not related to the validity of the immigration status itself but marked the end of physical documentation as part of the UK’s transition to eVisas.

If you currently hold ILR, the absence of a BRP does not affect your lawful status. What matters is that your status is correctly recorded in your UKVI account. There is no requirement for a physical card to access services or exercise your rights under ILR.

 

2. eVisa Is the Only Accepted Form of Proof

 

The eVisa has replaced the BRP as the only accepted method of proving immigration status. ILR holders must use their UKVI account to access their digital status and generate a share code when asked to prove their right to work, rent property or access certain services.

All third-party checks are now carried out through the ‘View and Prove Your Immigration Status’ tool on GOV.UK. A BRP cannot be used for right to work or right to rent checks, and it should not be relied on as valid documentation. Your eVisa must be linked to your current, valid passport. If you renew your passport, you must update the details in your UKVI account so that your status remains accessible.

 

3. What to Do if Your BRP Is Expired or Missing

 

If your BRP has expired or was lost before 1 January 2025, you do not need to replace it. The Home Office no longer accepts BRP replacement applications. Instead, you must ensure your ILR is recorded digitally. If you have not yet set up your UKVI account, follow the GOV.UK instructions to create one and link your status to your passport.

In cases where ILR was granted before BRPs were issued, or where no digital record exists, you may need to apply to transfer your ILR using the No Time Limit (NTL) service before your eVisa can be generated. Once your UKVI account is active, your eVisa will serve as your sole record of immigration status.

 

4. Conclusion

 

ILR holders no longer need a BRP in 2025. BRPs are no longer issued, valid or accepted. All ILR status is now confirmed digitally through a UKVI account. If you have an expired or missing BRP, you do not need to replace it. You must instead access or create your UKVI account, ensure your passport is correctly linked and use your eVisa for all future immigration checks.

 

Section D: How to Prove ILR in 2025

 

From 2025 onwards, ILR holders must prove their immigration status using a digital record, known as an eVisa. The BRP has been fully replaced by this system. Proof of ILR now requires access to a UKVI account, where individuals can view their immigration status and generate share codes for use by employers, landlords and other authorised third parties.

 

1. Using Your UKVI Account and eVisa

 

All ILR holders should now have access to their immigration status through their UKVI account, which is linked to their current passport. The account is accessed via the GOV.UK website and displays your immigration status, grant date and any conditions attached. The eVisa replaces the BRP entirely and is now the only valid way to demonstrate ILR. You will not receive any physical document or card confirming your status.

 

2. How to Generate a Share Code

 

To prove ILR to a third party such as an employer, landlord or education provider, you must generate a share code via your UKVI account. Once logged in, select the purpose of the check—for example, right to work or right to rent. A secure, time-limited code will then be produced. The third party enters this code into the Home Office’s ‘View a visa or immigration status’ service, along with your date of birth. The code is valid for 30 days and can be used more than once within that period.

 

3. What Employers or Landlords Will Ask For

 

Employers and landlords are required by law to confirm a person’s immigration status using the official Home Office online checking tools. They must not rely on expired BRPs or photocopies of physical documents. You will be asked to provide a share code and your date of birth. No other proof is valid. You must ensure that your eVisa is correctly linked to your current passport, as the share code will not work if the passport has not been updated in your UKVI account.

 

4. What to Do If Your Digital Status Is Incorrect

 

If your UKVI account shows incorrect details—such as a missing ILR record, wrong name or outdated passport information—you must report the issue immediately. Use the ‘Report a problem with your immigration status’ form on GOV.UK. Depending on the issue, you may be asked to verify your identity again or submit supporting documents. If your passport has changed, use the ‘Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details’ tool to ensure the new passport is correctly linked to your digital status. Delays in correcting inaccurate records can affect your ability to work, rent or access services.

 

5. Conclusion

 

In 2025, ILR can only be proven through the eVisa system and a UKVI account. Share codes are used to allow authorised third parties to view your status via GOV.UK. BRPs and other physical documents are no longer valid or accepted. ILR holders must ensure their digital records are correct and their account is linked to a valid passport. If your status is missing or incorrect, report the issue using the appropriate GOV.UK tools to avoid disruption to your rights or access to services.

 

 

Section E: How to Set Up a UKVI Account for ILR

 

ILR holders are now required to use a UKVI account to access their eVisa. This digital account is the only valid method for proving ILR status in 2025 and beyond. Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) have been fully withdrawn, and physical documents are no longer issued or accepted as proof of status. A UKVI account allows individuals to manage their immigration record, generate share codes and keep their personal information up to date.

 

1. Steps to Access Your eVisa

 

To create a UKVI account, go to the GOV.UK website and follow the instructions for registration. You will be asked to confirm your identity and link your account to your current passport. Once your details have been verified, your ILR status will appear as a digital eVisa. You can log in at any time to access your record or generate a share code for employers, landlords or other third parties.

 

2. What You Need to Register

 

To complete the registration process, you will need a valid passport, an email address and, if available, a UK mobile phone number to receive verification codes. In some cases, you may be asked to verify your identity through an online tool or upload documents as part of the security check. These steps are required to ensure that only you can access your immigration status.

 

3. Contacting UKVI If You Haven’t Been Invited

 

If you held a BRP in the past, UKVI should contact you during 2025 with instructions to register for your UKVI account. If your BRP has already expired and you have not received an invitation, use the “Update your contact details” form on GOV.UK to check that your email address and contact information are current. If you are still waiting after updating your details, you may be able to register directly using your ILR grant details and passport.

 

4. What If You Never Had a BRP?

 

If your ILR was granted before BRPs were introduced and your status is shown in a passport vignette or an old Home Office letter, you will not automatically receive an invitation to create a UKVI account. In this case, you must apply under the No Time Limit (NTL) route. The NTL application is submitted online and, once approved, your status will be converted into an eVisa that you can access via your UKVI account. There is no fee to transfer ILR into digital form through this process.

 

5. Conclusion

 

All ILR holders must now set up a UKVI account to access their eVisa and prove their immigration status. Those who previously held a BRP will be contacted by UKVI during 2025, while those who never held a BRP must apply through the NTL route. A valid passport, email address and mobile number are required to register. Once verified, the eVisa replaces all physical documents and becomes the only recognised way to demonstrate settled status in the UK.

 

Section F: Special Situations

 

Some ILR holders may face additional steps in accessing or managing their digital immigration status. This includes individuals whose leave was granted before BRPs were introduced, those who require help with technology or legal matters, and people who have since naturalised as British citizens. The following explains how each of these circumstances is handled in 2025.

 

1. ILR Holders Without a BRP

 

Individuals granted ILR before the introduction of BRPs may still have their status confirmed in an old passport or in a Home Office letter. These forms of proof are no longer accepted, and anyone in this category must transfer their status into digital format.

To update their record, they must apply using the No Time Limit (NTL) process on GOV.UK. Once approved, the applicant will be issued with digital proof of ILR in the form of an eVisa, accessible through a UKVI account. This is now the only valid method of confirming ILR in the UK.

 

2. Children, Elderly and Vulnerable Individuals

 

Some people may not be able to register or manage a UKVI account themselves. This may include young children, older individuals or people who require assistance due to health, accessibility or capacity needs.

In these cases, a parent, carer or authorised legal representative can assist with setting up and maintaining the UKVI account. They must follow UKVI’s current guidance for representing others and ensure the account information, including passport and contact details, remains accurate.

 

3. ILR Holders Who Have Naturalised

 

Once an ILR holder becomes a British citizen through naturalisation and has attended a citizenship ceremony, their previous immigration status is no longer relevant for proof of residence or immigration rights.

Although they are no longer required to use a UKVI account to confirm their right to live in the UK, the digital immigration history may still be useful. For example, they may need to reference it when applying for a British passport or demonstrating past residence. There is no need to request deletion of this data, as the system does not offer this option.

 

4. Conclusion

 

While most ILR holders now use a UKVI account to manage their eVisa, some will need to take extra steps depending on when their leave was granted or their personal circumstances. Those without a BRP must apply through the NTL route to bring their status into the digital system. Others may require assistance to register and maintain their account. Once someone becomes a British citizen, the digital ILR record is no longer required for immigration checks, but it remains a part of their historical record that may still be relevant for official use.

 

Section G: Conclusion

 

Indefinite Leave to Remain continues to provide a secure and permanent immigration status in the UK. Although the rights attached to ILR remain unchanged, the method of proving status has evolved. From 2025 onwards, physical documents such as Biometric Residence Permits are no longer produced, issued or valid for official checks. Instead, all ILR holders must rely on their digital status, accessible through a UKVI account and confirmed via an eVisa.

There is no requirement to carry a physical document. Status is verified online using time-limited share codes generated through GOV.UK. Employers, landlords and government agencies are now required to carry out digital checks only.

If you previously held a BRP, or your ILR was granted before digital records were introduced, you must ensure that your immigration status has been transferred into the new system. This may involve registering a UKVI account or applying through the No Time Limit route. From 2026, eVisas will be the only accepted format for demonstrating ILR.

Taking proactive steps now to check your UKVI account access and ensure your details are up to date will help avoid delays or disruption in the future.

 

Section H: FAQs

 

Do I still need a Biometric Residence Permit if I have ILR?

No. BRPs ceased to be valid or issued after 31 December 2024. From 2025 onward, all ILR holders must use their digital eVisa status via a UKVI account to prove their immigration status.

 

How do I prove ILR to an employer or landlord?

Log into your UKVI account and generate a time‑limited share code using the ‘Prove your right to work’ or ‘Prove your right to rent’ service on GOV.UK. Provide the share code and your date of birth to allow verification through the official status check tool.

 

What happens if I never had a BRP?

If your ILR was granted before BRPs were introduced and only appears in a passport vignette or Home Office letter, you must apply via the No Time Limit (NTL) route on GOV.UK. Once approved, your ILR will be available as a digital eVisa in your UKVI account.

 

Can someone help me if I cannot access the digital system?

A parent, carer or authorised representative may assist with setting up or managing your UKVI account. The representative must follow UKVI’s guidance and keep identity and contact details up to date on your behalf.

 

What if my passport changes or my details need updating?

Log into your UKVI account and use the update feature to add a new passport or amend personal information. Ensuring your details remain current prevents issues when generating share codes or proving status.

 

Is my ILR status still valid if I became a British citizen?

Once naturalised, you no longer need ILR for immigration checks. Citizenship replaces ILR as evidence of your right to live in the UK. Your previous digital record is retained by UKVI and may still be used for reference or proof of past status but is not used for verification.

 

What should I do if my eVisa shows incorrect information?

Use the GOV.UK ‘Report a problem with your immigration status’ form to request a correction. You may need to verify your identity or submit supporting documents. Prompt action ensures that your eVisa record remains accurate and accepted by third parties.

 

 

Section I: Glossary of Terms

 

Term	Meaning
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)	A form of immigration status granted by the Home Office allowing the holder to live and work in the UK permanently without time restrictions.
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)	A physical card that was previously issued as proof of ILR or visa status. BRPs expired on 31 December 2024 and are no longer valid or accepted.
eVisa	A secure digital record accessed through a UKVI account that confirms one’s immigration status. It has replaced the BRP.
UKVI Account	An online account on GOV.UK used to access the eVisa, generate share codes and manage personal immigration details.
Share Code	A time-limited code generated from a UKVI account that allows employers or landlords to verify immigration status via the official Home Office tool.
No Time Limit (NTL)	A process through which those granted ILR before BRPs were introduced transfer their status into the digital eVisa system.

 

Section J: Links and Additional Resources

 

Resource	Description	Link
View and Prove Your Immigration Status	Official GOV.UK service used to access eVisa and share status with third parties via share code.	https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
Prove Right to Work or Rent	Guidance for employers and landlords on checking digital status using share code.	https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work
No Time Limit (NTL) Application	Online service for converting historic ILR (pre‑BRP) into digital status for UKVI access.	https://www.gov.uk/settle-in-the-uk
Update UKVI Account Details	Form used to change passport, contact or personal information in UKVI account.	https://www.gov.uk/update-ukvisas-immigration-account-details
Report a Problem with Your Digital Status	Tool for requesting corrections to your digital eVisa record.	https://www.gov.uk/report-problem-ukvi-immigration-status
Contact UKVI	Helpline for general enquiries about digital status and immigration questions.	https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk