Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and UK eVisas

A biometric residence permit, usually called a BRP, was a physical card used to show a person’s UK immigration status. If you previously received one after a successful UK visa application, you now need to understand how to access and use your digital immigration record.

All BRPs have now expired and have been replaced by eVisas. Your eVisa is accessed through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The expiry date on your old BRP does not, by itself, tell you whether your permission to stay in the UK has ended.

What was a biometric residence permit?

A BRP recorded information about its holder, including their identity, photograph and immigration conditions. It was commonly issued to people granted permission to live in the UK, including those on family, work and study routes.

Older guidance may still describe collecting a BRP after arriving in the UK or applying for a replacement card. Those instructions relate to the former system. For current guidance, start with the official GOV.UK BRP information.

Does an expired BRP mean my UK visa has expired?

Not necessarily. The card’s expiry date and the end date of your immigration permission can be different. Many people held cards expiring on 31 December 2024 even though their permission continued beyond that date.

Check your eVisa and the decision that granted your permission. If you have limited permission, you must still deal with its actual expiry date. Setting up an eVisa does not extend your visa or grant a new period of stay.

If you are approaching the end of a spouse or partner visa, read our guide to further leave to remain in the UK. If you are considering settlement, see our indefinite leave to remain guide.

How do I access my eVisa?

If you still have permission to stay in the UK and previously held a BRP, you should make sure you can access your eVisa through your UKVI account.

1. Follow the official instructions to set up a UKVI account and access your eVisa.
2. Complete the identity checks and any steps needed to link your eVisa to your account.
3. Sign in and check your name, date of birth, immigration status and any expiry date shown.
4. Make sure your current passport and contact details are recorded correctly.

Creating an account alone does not necessarily mean you have finished linking your eVisa. Check that you can actually view your immigration status before relying on it for travel or other purposes.

Can I still use my expired BRP?

An expired BRP has only limited remaining uses. GOV.UK says you may be able to use it for certain account and application purposes for up to 24 months after its printed expiry date, or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first.

These limited uses include accessing your eVisa, setting up a UKVI account and applying to extend your permission. They do not make the card valid for travel or replace the need to prove your current status through the appropriate service.

Travelling between Thailand and the UK

You can no longer use an expired BRP to travel to the UK. Before travelling, check your eVisa and make sure the valid passport you will use is added to your UKVI account.

• Check that your personal details and immigration status are correct.
• Make sure your current passport is linked to your account.
• Use matching details when booking and checking in with your airline.
• Check that you can sign in to your account before leaving.
• Obtain a travel share code if additional proof of status is needed.

If you renew your Thai passport, remember to update your UKVI account before travelling with the replacement. Read the official guidance on updating your passport and account details and travelling with an eVisa.

How do I prove my immigration status?

You can use the online service to view your eVisa and generate a share code. This allows an employer, landlord or another organisation to check the relevant information about your status.

Choose the purpose requested by the person checking your status and provide your date of birth with the code. Share codes are valid for 90 days, and you can generate another when needed.

Use the official service to view your eVisa and get a share code.

What if my BRP is lost or stolen?

You must report a lost or stolen BRP even if it has expired. Follow the reporting instructions on the GOV.UK BRP page.

You should also make sure you can access your eVisa. If you find the card after reporting it lost or stolen, you must not use it and should follow the Home Office instructions for destroying it.

What if my eVisa is wrong or I cannot sign in?

A mistake in your name, date of birth or immigration status should be addressed promptly, particularly if you intend to travel or need to prove your right to work.

The official eVisa guidance explains how to report an error and where to get help recovering access to your account.

If the problem concerns the length or conditions of the permission granted, rather than an account detail, seek advice about the decision itself and any applicable deadline.

Does an eVisa replace a visa extension application?

No. An eVisa records your immigration status. It does not automatically renew your permission, change your visa category or give you indefinite leave to remain.

If your permission is ending, you need to consider the appropriate application in time. Our guides to UK visa extensions and settlement applications explain the next stages.

For general questions, visit our UK visas and immigration forum. Please keep passport numbers, account login details and other private information out of public posts.

Guidance checked: 30 September 2026. See the linked GOV.UK pages for current procedures.