What a BRP is
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What a BRP is
⬤ A biometric residence permit (BRP) can be used to confirm your:
- identity
- right to study
- right to any public services or benefits you’re entitled to
You cannot use your BRP to confirm your right to work or rent. You’ll need to prove your right to work online or prove your right to rent online instead.
⬤ You’ll usually get a BRP if you:
- apply to come to the UK for longer than 6 months
- extend your visa to longer than 6 months
- apply to settle in the UK
- transfer your visa to a new passport
- apply for certain Home Office travel documents
You do not have to apply separately for a BRP.
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"Additional information"
⭐ BRP ≠ BRC
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) are different from Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs). BRCs are also called ‘UK residence cards’. You might have one if you’re in the UK as a family member of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. BRCs have ‘residence card’ printed on them.
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When you cannot get a BRP
You cannot get a BRP if you use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to prove your identity when applying to stay in the UK. You’ll need to prove your right to live and work in the UK online instead.
If you apply for a BRP, you will not get one.
When you cannot get a BRP
⬤ Your BRP will include:
- your name, date and place of birth
- your fingerprints and a photo of your face (this is your biometric information)
- your immigration status and any conditions of your stay
- whether you can access public funds, for example benefits and health services
You may have a National Insurance (NI) number printed on the back of your BRP. Not all BRPs have this - it depends on factors like the date it was issued and your visa status.
⬤ You’ll need to apply for an NI number if all of the following apply:
- there is not one on your BRP
- you do not already have one
- you’re planning to work, claim benefits, apply for a student loan or pay Class 3 voluntary National Insurance contributions
Design of the biometric residence permit
The biometric residence permit is a standard credit card size (86mm x 54mm) and looks similar to those issued by some other EU countries. The permit is made from polycarbonate and contains a chip to make it more secure against forgery and abuse.
- Holder’s digital image
- Holder’s name
- Valid until – the date the permit expires. This date is at the end of the time the holder is allowed to stay; or five or 10 years if the holder has been given permission to settle in the UK (known as indefinite leave to remain)
- Place and date of issue – this is the UK followed by the date the permit was issued
- Type of permit – this is the immigration category the holder is in (for example, STUDENT)
- Remarks – these are the immigration entitlements for the length of the holder’s stay, and may continue on the back of the permit
- ZW9005196 – unique permit number
- Holder’s signature
- Biometric chip
- Holder’s gender
- Holder’s date and place of birth
- Holder’s nationality
- Remarks – this is a continuation of immigration entitlements for the length of time of the holder’s stay (see 6 above). In appropriate cases, the National Insurance Number will appear here.
- Machine readable zone (MRZ) – this area allows information printed on the permit to be read quickly by machine.
If your BRP is lost or stolen
You can report your biometric residence permit (BRP) lost or stolen from inside or outside the UK. You can only apply for a replacement from inside the UK.
The Home Office will contact you within one working day of reporting it.
You can get someone to report for you, for example a legal representative, a charity, employer, college or university.
There are other ways to prove your immigration status while you wait for a replacement BRP.
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Further Reading:
- https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/biometric-residence-permits-applicant-and-sponsor-information/biometric-residence-permits-general-information-for-applicants-employers-and-sponsors-accessible-version
