The Home Office has confirmed that it will stop issuing Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) from 31 October 2024 as part of its transition to fully digital immigration status.
In line with the UK’s ongoing move to a digital immigration system, the Home Office has announced that new BRPs will no longer be issued after 31 October 2024 for any applicants. This change marks a significant shift towards the complete digitalisation of immigration services, set to be fully implemented by 1 January 2025.
As of 26 September 2024, the BRP replacement service has come to an end. Individuals affected by this closure include non-EEA national family members of EEA nationals with expired Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs), those whose BRPs or BRCs were lost or stolen, and those whose personal details have changed.
While the BRP replacement service has ended, it is important to note that individuals can still replace their paper immigration documents – such as the Form for Affixing a Visa (FAV), passport stamp, passport sticker or vignette in a current or expired passport – with a BRP. This service allows individuals to update their personal details, which cannot be done through their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
BRP holders will still need to create a UKVI account to access their e-Visa and manage their immigration status online. The Home Office has reassured stakeholders that digital solutions will be effective, including 24/7 support for any travel disruptions. However, travellers should continue to carry their physical BRP or BRC until the end of 2024, as the system is not yet fully integrated across all airlines. Those without a valid BRP should create a UKVI account to access their e-Visa using their passport and last visa application reference number, and they should still report lost or stolen BRP cards to UKVI.
This digital transition promises to streamline the immigration process, but individuals should be mindful of these upcoming changes to avoid travel and status issues.
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