We are always happy to remind immigrants to the UK of the need to continuously maintain their visas’ validity and Bio-metric Residence Permits (BRP). You can maintain your right to remain in the UK, a skilled worker, or for any other reason, by taking the necessary steps before your visa expires.
When will your bio-metric residence permit expire?
The ‘valid to’ date on your BRP card indicates when it will expire. Usually, the start and end dates align with the ones on your visa; as a result, when your visa ends, so does your BRP. BRPs are normally issued for ten years to persons with indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
Even when their visa or leave extends beyond this date, some people have received short-dated BRPs since 2020, with an expiration date of December 31 Dec 2024.
The Home Office states this was initially done to comply with updated EU encryption standards. If you have a BRP that expires sooner than December 31 2024, it does not always mean your leave will end on that day. Instead, you can use the Home Office’s online “view and prove” tool to show when your leave ends. Additionally, you can use the online right to work and right to rent services, if you must prove to a landlord or employer that you have lived somewhere for the appropriate time.
What to do If your UK residence permit is about to expire?
If your BRP is set to expire, the procedure you must follow to renew it will depend on whether you have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK or a visa to enter the country, as is detailed below.
If your visa for the UK is about to expire, Your BRP will usually expire when your visa expires if you have one to enter the UK. You must apply for a visa extension or renewal to renew your BRP. You will get a new BRP as soon as your visa is renewed.
Your current visa type (e.g., a spouse visa or a skilled worker visa) will determine the procedure and requirements for renewing or extending your visa. Please contact one of our immigration solicitors for a consultation if you require assistance with your visa extension.
Also Read: Overstayed UK Visa: Rule of Expired Visa
If your BRP card has expired or is going to expire and you have ILR:
Suppose your bio-metric residence permit (BRP) is about to expire, and you have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK. In that case, you can apply to extend your biometric residence permit using or apply to the Home Office for issuance of a BRP card to replace your old ILR stamp in your old expired passport.
All BRP cards will be phased out from 31st December 2024:
- Anyone that has an old indefinite leave to remain (ILR) stamp endorsed into their passport will need to apply for a BRP card before 31st December 2024. If they fail to apply, there old passport stamp will be deemed invalid.
- If someone already holds a BRP card that is due to expire in the coming months or by 31st December 2024, they would need to apply for a NEW BRP card to the Home Office. Once they get a new BRP card, it will be valid up to 31/12/2024.
- Once someone has been issued with a BRP card valid until 31/12/2024, the Home Office will then transfer the person’s details on the a computerised system and it will be called a E-visa.
- If the applicant does not apply for a BRP card before 31/12/24, the face the risk of losing their ILR and their old stamp on their passport will become invalid.
To renew your Biometric Residence Permit using the replacement BRP service, you must:
- Fill out the correct form to renew your bio-metric residence permit or apply for the very first time for a BRP card.
- Apply Biometric Residence Permit renewal fee or first time BRP card (more information on the fees due is shown below).
- Having your biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) taken by a UKVCAS service centre.
When requesting a BRP replacement, you must supply the following documents:
- Identity documentation, like a passport.
- Council tax notices, electricity bills, or a letter from your employer are all acceptable evidence for proving that you have lived in the UK continuously (this requirement only applies if you were granted ILR more than two years ago).
- Photographs for passports.
- Currently BRP.
- Proof of a name change, if required.
When you fill out the application form, you will be given a detailed list of the documents you must provide.
What happens after submitting a BRP card renewal or First time application for a BRP card application?
The courier can deliver it to the address provided in your application form under the condition that you have requested a replacement for your expired BRP or have applied for a new visa and are currently awaiting the automatic delivery of your BRP. As per the guidelines provided by the Home Office, most applicants can expect to receive their BRP within 7 to 10 days following the receipt of their decision letter. You will receive your new BRP card in the UK if you apply for a new visa outside the country; generally, you may pick it up from a UK post office or your sponsor (such as your workplace).
Also Read: Know UK Immigration Solicitor Roles & Responsibilities
Conclusion:
Most BRP issues, including BRP renewal before expiry, are quickly and easily remedied, giving you the confidence that you have the papers you need to stay in the UK legally. Legal experts and immigration solicitors of My Legal Services can help you if you require assistance with your visa extension or other UK immigration-related issues.