BRP Issues & eVisas

The following information covers BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) issues and the transition to eVisas.

If you need a copy of your BRP Student Records or may be able to assist if you have previously provided details e.g. at registration.

As UKVI’s reliance on BRPs is being phased out by 2025 there is an increasing number of students who will have digital permission instead of a BRP, the visa details are recorded and accessed on-line as an ''. This includes: EU/EEA students who used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to enter or stay in the UK and non-visa nationals who extended their permission to stay in the UK using the ID check app.  Any UKVI decision should make it clear whether a BRP is also issued.

My BRP expires 31 December 2024

Current BRP technology will only be valid to 31 December 2024. If your immigration permission is granted beyond this date the full duration will be recorded in the UKVI decision but your BRP will expire on 31 December 2024.  You can prove the full duration of your permission online eg for or purposes.

Since March 2024 UKVI has started a phased rollout of the transition from BRPs to .

If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP) that expires on 31 December 2024, you can now create a UKVI account and access your eVisa. You should do this before the expiry date of your BRP.

Creating the digital account/eVisa is not a visa application, there is no fee, it does not require a new CAS.

If you have lost your BRP the information confirms:

You can use your travel document, such as a passport, or visa application reference number to create your UKVI account if you have lost your BRP card.

You should only request a replacement BRP if it has been lost or stolen and you have no other form of identity document to create a UKVI account.

The information currently indicates you would still use any BRP you hold for travel in 2024:

In the future you’ll be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK – you will not need to carry a physical document, except for your current passport, which must be registered to your UKVI account.  Until the end of 2024 you will need to continue to carry your physical document when you travel, if you have one.

If there is an error in your eVisa details, please email a screenshot to advice@lboro.ac.uk for assistance.  The Student Advice and Support Service can help with resolving some issues or advise on what steps to take.

My BRP is lost, damaged or stolen overseas

If your BRP is lost or stolen you must notify UKVI by completing an . It is advisable to report any loss or theft to local police and retain any report/reference issued. 

UKVI will cancel a reported BRP, the BRP will be no longer be valid even if it is subsequently recovered after a loss or theft. You are also required to cut up any cancelled BRP in your possession. 

If you are overseas and not planning to return to the UK in the period remaining on your lost, stolen or damaged BRP, or you plan to return in a different visa category, you are not required to replace the BRP.     

You cannot apply for a replacement BRP from overseas. If you do need to return to the UK, you must  and once you have used the visa to return to the UK, you must then apply for a new BRP within one month (see How do I apply for a replacement BRP?).    

When you apply, you should select “BRP vignette transfer”.

You do not need to provide a CAS for this application, it may help if you provide a student status letter which you can download from Student Self Service. 

The Replacement BRP visa will be issued as a new vignette in your passport which lets you re-enter the UK once only. 

You should provide Student Records or  (for LUL students) with a copy of the Replacement BRP visa.

How do I apply for a replacement BRP?

To apply for a replacement BRP, you must be in the UK. Applications are submitted  

Towards the end of the online process, you should choose one of the different UKVI service standards for processing times which includes standard, priority and super priority services. 

If you want us to fully advise on your application, you should stop and save your application at the ‘documents’ stage.  so that we can check your online form and documents. We will then help you decide which service to use and your appointment options. 

After paying for your application (including biometric fee) the online portal directs you to make an appointment at a  (UKVCAS) ‘service point’ run by Sopra Steria.  

There are numerous UKVCAS service points around the UK. A limited number of free appointments are available at all service points except ‘premium lounge’ services. There is a standard charge for all other appointments. Free appointments are generally available 9:00 – 14:00 and are more likely to be booked up first. You will often have to wait longer for a free appointment, deciding to pay for an earlier appointment can allow your application to be decided quicker. If you cannot see a suitable appointment immediately you may need to consider alternative locations and keep checking daily. UKVCAS publish new appointments daily up to 28 days in advance, currently free appointment availability is updated at 9am and chargeable appointments are added at midnight. 

The nearest UKVCAS service points to 黑料网 campus include Nottingham, Birmingham and Sheffield, there are numerous service points across London. 

You will have the option to upload your supporting evidence online prior to visiting the service point or pay extra to take your documents to be scanned at your appointment. 

To your appointment you will need to take:

  • Appointment confirmation print out including scannable QR code 
  • Passport 
  • Any supporting evidence that has not already been scanned and uploaded, eg when you have paid UKVCAS for document scanning 

Even if you have uploaded all your documents in advance it would be wise to take them to the UKVCAS appointment in case a scanning error is identified. 

At your UKVCAS appointment you will have to scan your application QR code, passport, any outstanding documents and ‘enrol your biometrics’ by having a digital photograph, scans of your fingerprints and a signature taken.

When will I receive my BRP?

This depends on when you attend your UKVCAS appointment and the UKVI service standard you have paid for. The target time for ‘standard’ applications is 8 weeks, ‘priority’ applications have a target time of 5 working days, ‘super priority’ applications should be decided within a day after the UKVCAS appointment.  

You will also have to wait for your new BRP to be subsequently delivered by courier which should be within 10 working days. We always advise against making any firm travel plans until after the new BRP is received.

After your new BRP is issued

You should contact Student Records or  (for LUL students) to let them know that you have received a new BRP and to make arrangements to provide a copy. 

After reporting a lost, stolen or damaged BRP UKVI will cancel the BRP, require you to cut up any damaged or recovered BRP and send them evidence you have done this (any such instructions are issued by email).

How can the University support you?

You can find guidance on various visa topics on the University’s webpages. These webpages include the most common visa related topics, questions and issues. You should always use the webpages first however if you require advice or guidance beyond what is covered on the webpages you can contact the

Last Updated: 20th August 2024