UK · Application requirements

UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) Requirements 2026

IMPORTANT — by 2026 the Biometric Residence Permit is retired. UK Home Office stopped issuing BRPs on 31 October 2024; almost all existing BRPs expired on 31 December 2024; the grace period for using expired BRPs as travel documents ended on 1 June 2025. The replacement scheme is closed. Non-UK/EU nationals with UK immigration status now use a digital eVisa via a UKVI account at gov.uk instead. If you have a BRP-era visa, this page tells you what to do.

Issued by HM Passport Office · Last verified May 28, 2026 · Official source ↗

At a glance

Application fee

UKVI account / eVisa setup: Free
BRP replacement (closed): n/a
New biometrics with visa: in visa fee

as of May 28, 2026 · details

Processing time

UKVI account setup (typical): Same day
If manual ID review needed: Up to weeks
Carrier digital checks since: 25 Feb 2026

details

Issuing authority

HM Passport Office

Who needs a UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)?

Where to apply

Existing BRP holders → set up a free account at gov.uk/evisa/set-up-ukvi-account. New visa applicants → complete biometrics at a UKVCAS or TLScontact appointment after the online visa application; status is delivered as an eVisa. Help is available from the UKVI funded support organisations (assistedDigital) for people who do not have a smartphone or need extra help.

Fees

UKVI account / eVisa setup: Free
BRP replacement (closed): n/a
New biometrics with visa: in visa fee

Setting up a UKVI account and accessing your eVisa is free. There is no longer a £161 BRP replacement fee — the replacement service was closed on 31 October 2024. New visa applications include biometric enrolment in the visa fee and produce an eVisa, not a physical BRP.

Fees as of May 28, 2026. Confirm current amounts on the official source before paying.

What to bring

Documents and items you'll need at the appointment or with your application.

Valid passport (this is the travel document linked to your eVisa)
BRP card (if you still hold one — used to verify identity when creating the UKVI account)
Decision letter from the Home Office confirming your immigration status
Email address and UK mobile number for the UKVI account
Smartphone for the UK Immigration: ID Check app (used to scan your passport biometric chip)

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How long does it take?

UKVI account setup (typical): Same day
If manual ID review needed: Up to weeks
Carrier digital checks since: 25 Feb 2026

Setting up a UKVI account and accessing your eVisa: typically same-day online for straightforward cases; up to several weeks if identity verification needs manual review. From 25 February 2026, airlines and other carriers verify immigration status digitally at boarding — your passport linked to the eVisa is enough.

Times vary by location, season, and individual case. Always check the official source for the current backlog before you book travel.

Official source

https://www.gov.uk/evisa

Last verified May 28, 2026

Verify before applying. We compile this from official government sources and re-verify regularly. Fees, processing times, and rules change without notice — always confirm current information on the official site before you apply or pay any fee.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about applying for a uk biometric residence permit (brp).

Are UK BRP cards still valid in 2026? +

No. BRPs stopped being issued on 31 October 2024 and almost all expired on 31 December 2024. The grace period that allowed expired BRPs to be used as travel documents ended on 1 June 2025. Your underlying UK immigration status is unchanged — only the physical card is gone. Access your status via a UKVI account on gov.uk.

How do I switch from a BRP to an eVisa? +

Create a free UKVI account at gov.uk/evisa/set-up-ukvi-account. You will need your BRP (if you still have one) or other Home Office reference, your passport, an email address, and a UK mobile number. Identity verification uses the UK Immigration: ID Check app on a smartphone to scan your passport. Once linked, your status is accessible online and shareable with employers, landlords, and travel carriers via a 90-day share code.

I lost my BRP — how do I replace it? +

You can't. The BRP replacement service closed on 31 October 2024. There is no £161 replacement fee any more. Instead, create a UKVI account to access your eVisa — that is now the official record of your status. If you have not yet created an account and cannot verify your identity, contact the UKVI assistedDigital support service.

Can I travel to the UK without a BRP? +

Yes — you travel on your passport, which is linked to your eVisa in the UKVI system. Carriers (airlines, ferries, Eurostar) verify your status digitally at boarding from 25 February 2026 onwards. Always make sure the passport linked to your UKVI account is the one you travel on; if you get a new passport, update the UKVI account first.

How do I prove my right to work or rent with an eVisa? +

Generate a 90-day share code in your UKVI account and give it to the employer or landlord, along with your date of birth. They verify it via gov.uk's right-to-work / right-to-rent checker. The share code is single-purpose (work, rent, etc.) and view-only.

What is the difference between a BRP and an eVisa? +

A BRP was a physical card with biometric data, photo, and visa endorsements — now retired. An eVisa is a digital record of the same immigration status, accessible via a UKVI account on gov.uk. The eVisa grants identical rights to a BRP, cannot be lost or stolen, and is verified by carriers and employers via share codes.

I do not have a smartphone — can I still get an eVisa? +

Yes. UKVI funds 25+ community support organisations across the UK to help with eVisa setup, including in-person identity verification where needed. The service is free. Find your nearest provider via gov.uk/assisted-digital-help-online-applications.

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