What do I need to do if my Biometric Residence Permit is near its end date?

If your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is near its end, there are steps you need to take, but this will depend on the type of immigration permission you hold. 

You have limited leave to remain 

If you are in the UK on visa, you are likely to have limited permission to remain in the UK, i.e. there is a time limit on the time that you may remain in the UK. You may be in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, a Spouse visa or a Youth Mobility visa, as an example. 

Generally speaking, once you have reached the end date on the BRP, your permission to remain in the UK will come to an end. 

If you intend to continue living in the UK, you will need to apply for an extension of your current visa (if possible) or switch to another immigration category prior to expiry date of your BRP. Once your new application is approved you may be issued with a new BRP or you may be granted an e-visa status. 

However, if your BRP expires on 31 December 2024, you may not need to take any steps. This is because from 1 January 2025 the Home Office intends to move to a purely online-based system for proving immigration and right to work status and therefore, in most cases they are issuing BRPs with a maximum expiry date of 31 December 2024. The Home Office will be issuing guidance on the same in early 2024.

You have Indefinite Leave to Remain

If you have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and your BRP is nearing its expiry date, you will need to apply for a new BRP before the expiry date. As you hold indefinite permission, it is not your permission to be in the UK that is expiring it is merely the BRP card. To enable smooth entry in to the UK when travelling, and so that you can prove your immigration status when needed, you will need to apply for a replacement BRP. 

To do so you will need to complete an application form, submit the relevant supporting documents and re-enrol your biometrics. Once the application is approved, you will be granted a new BRP. 

As above, if your BRP expires on 31 December 2024, you do not have to replace your BRP; the Home Office will update its guidance in early 2024.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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