What Is a Biometric Residence Permit?
A Biometric Residence Permit is proof that you legally reside, work, or study in the UK. The BRP confirms your identity, right to study, and right to public services or other benefits that you may be eligible for.
What Does a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) contain?
The Biometric Residence Permit, or BRP, includes the following:
- Your name, date, and place of birth.
- Your fingerprints and a photograph (otherwise known as biometric information).
- Your immigration status and conditions.
- Whether you are able to access public funds, e.g., benefits and health services.
Who Is Eligible for a BRP?
You will obtain a UK Biometric Residence Permit if one of the following applies:
- You have applied for a visa (or visa extension) that is longer than six months.
- You have applied to settle in the UK.
- You want to transfer your visa to a new passport.
- You need to apply for certain Home Office documents.
Biometric Information for Biometric Residence Permit
As part of your BRP application, you must provide your biometric information. This includes fingerprints and a photograph. The process is simple, quick, and does not involve ink or other liquids. You will have to provide the following:
- A digitally taken photo of your face. If you wear a headscarf for religious or medical purposes, you do not have to take it off.
- Fingerprints scanned. If you are physically unable to have your fingerprints scanned, you only need to have a digital photo taken.
Where Do I Submit My Biometric Information for BRP?
You can submit your biometric information for a Biometric Residence Permit at one of the following:
- UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS).
- Service and Support Centre (SSC).
Submitting Biometric Information at a UKVCAS Point
In order to obtain a BRP, you must make an appointment to provide your biometric information. The process of booking an appointment with the UKVCAS is:
- Register on the website by creating an account.
- Log into your UKVCAS account.
- Enter your passcode and check the closest service points to you.
- Select the service point you wish to visit and check the available dates by clicking on a date. If you are unable to find an appointment on the location and date selected, you can go back and select another service point that suits you.
- Provide the required documents. You can provide your documents in two ways. You can either:
- Upload them into the UKVCAS online service prior to your appointment.
- Have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment
Note: If you are only applying to replace your BRP, you might not need to attend a UKVCAS application center in person, as long as you are currently in the UK and have previously submitted your biometrics to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
If you do not need an appointment, you’ll get an email explaining how to submit a photo and your documents. If in any case, you are unable to send the information, you’ll be able to book an appointment.
Submitting Biometric Information at a Service and Support Centre (SSC)
You can also attend an SSC to provide your biometric information. In case you have submitted your biometric information and UKVI can reuse them, they will contact you and let you know about the details of how you can send them an image of your face and other supporting documents.
SSCs are located in the following areas:
| City: | Address: |
| Belfast | HM Passport Office, Law Society House90-106 Victoria Street, BelfastBT1 3GN |
| Cardiff | General Buildings 1st Floor, 31-33 Newport RoadCardiff, WalesCF24 0AB |
| Croydon | Lunar House, 40 Wellesley RoadCroydonCR9 2BY |
| Glasgow | Festival Court 1, 200 Brand StreetGovan, GlasgowG51 1DH |
| Liverpool | The Capital Building, 6 Union StreetLiverpoolL3 9PP |
| Peterborough | HM Passport Office, Aragon CourtNorthminster Road, PeterboroughPE1 1QG |
| Sheffield | Vulcan House, Riverside Entrance6 Millsands, SheffieldS3 8NU |
| Solihull | Dominion Court, 41 Station RoadSolihull, BirminghamB91 3RT |
Do Children Need to Provide Their Fingerprints and Photo for the BRP?
Yes, they do. All children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or anyone over 18 years old who is legally responsible for the child. Children under 5 years old do not need to provide fingerprints.
How to Apply for a BRP Outside the UK?
If you are outside the UK and wish to apply for a Biometric Residence Permit, you can do so online. However, as part of the application process, it is required that you submit your biometric information. Therefore, you need to visit a visa application center. The process to apply for a BRP outside of the UK is as follows:
- Fill out the application form
- Find your visa application center through TLS Contact.
- Submit your biometric information (fingerprints, and photograph) at the visa application center.
- Collect your BRP. You must collect it before the ‘vignette sticker’ in your travel document expires or within 10 days of your arrival in the UK. You will either be asked to collect it at a Post Office branch in the UK or from your sponsor. But, you can only collect it once you are in the UK.
Biometric Residence Permit Fee
The fee for a BRP is £19.20, whether you will be providing your biometric information for the first time or you plan to have provided them before.
This is applicable if you are applying in the UK. If you apply outside the UK, the cost will be included in the overall amount of the visa application fee.
How Long Does It Take to Get the Biometric Residence Permit?
Your BRP will arrive within 10 days after you have received your ‘decision letter’ from the Home Office declaring that you can remain in the UK. However, it might take longer than 10 working days if you have applied from:
- Isle of Man
- Isles of Scilly
- Scottish Highlands or islands
Where Do I Collect the BRP?
There are different ways in which you can collect your BRP, depending if you have applied in the UK or outside the UK.
Collecting the BRP From Inside the UK
The delivery company will let you know the time and date that your BRP will be arriving, and you can make changes if you wish to. If you are over 18 years old, you must prove your identity by showing your passport, national identity card, or driving license.
Collecting the BRP From Outside the UK
You must check your decision letter. It will let you know where exactly you need to collect your BRP. It will either be from:
- a named Post Office branch
- your sponsor, if you have chosen this option when you applied.
Additionally, you must bring your passport or travel document with your vignette sticker when you collect your BRP.
You can not nominate anybody to collect your BRP for you unless you are physically unable to do so, e.g., you have a serious illness or disability. The Home Office will ask for proof.
If you are self-isolating because of the coronavirus, you can not nominate someone else to collect it for you. Collect it once you finish self-isolating.
You will be told within 5 working days if the person you nominated can collect your BRP.
They must have a passport, an EU national identity card, or a BRP.
Remember: You must usually do this before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, depending on which one is later.