A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) was the physical card issued to most non-EEA migrants as proof of their immigration status in the UK. BRP cards have been replaced by the UK eVisa from January 2025. If you had a BRP, your status still exists — but you now access and share it digitally through a UKVI account.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| What BRP was | Physical card proving UK immigration status |
| Replaced by | UK eVisa (digital status) from January 2025 |
| BRP cards with 31 Dec 2024 expiry | Status continued — create UKVI account to access eVisa |
| How to share status now | Digital share code via UKVI account |
| Lost BRP after January 2025 | Contact UKVI — your eVisa is accessible digitally |
| At UK border | Border Force checks status digitally via passport |
Quick Overview
✅ Your underlying immigration status was not lost when the BRP was phased out
✅ Your eVisa replaced your BRP — the rights are the same, only the format changed
✅ You can share your status with employers and landlords using a digital share code
⚠️ BRP cards are no longer valid as stand-alone right-to-work or right-to-rent documents
⚠️ If you never set up a UKVI account, you may not be able to evidence your status — contact UKVI
📌 At the UK border, Border Force checks status digitally — you do not need to show a BRP card
💡 Create or log in to your UKVI account to see your current status and generate share codes
If you are wondering what happened to your BRP card, or what to do now that the BRP has been replaced, this guide explains the transition and what steps you need to take.
For the full guide to the new digital status system, see what is the UK eVisa.
What Was a Biometric Residence Permit?
A BRP was a physical credit-card-sized document issued to non-EEA migrants who were granted leave to remain in the UK for more than 6 months. It contained:
- Your name, date of birth, and nationality
- Your immigration status and the conditions of your leave
- Your biometric data (fingerprints and photograph)
- A chip holding the same information electronically
The BRP served as proof of your right to live and work in the UK. You used it for right-to-work checks with employers, right-to-rent checks with landlords, and at the UK border when returning from abroad.
Why Was the BRP Replaced?
The Home Office began phasing out BRP cards as part of a digital transformation of UK immigration status. The aim was to move all immigration status to a fully digital system.
The key reasons for the change:
- BRPs were physical documents that could be lost, stolen, or expire
- A digital status (eVisa) is harder to forge and always reflects current conditions
- The eVisa can be updated instantly when conditions change — no need to issue a new card
The eVisa system was rolled out progressively from 2022 and became the primary system for new arrivals from January 2025.
What Happened to BRP Cards With a 31 December 2024 Expiry?
Many BRP cards issued in 2021 and 2022 had an expiry date of 31 December 2024 stamped on them — even though the underlying immigration permission extended beyond that date. This caused widespread confusion.
What actually happened:
The 31 December 2024 date was a transitional administrative date — not the expiry of your immigration status. Your underlying leave continued beyond that date.
What you need to do:
Create a UKVI account to access your eVisa. Your BRP data has been migrated to the Home Office system. Once you log in, your current status is visible, and you can generate share codes for employers and landlords.
If you cannot access your UKVI account or see your status, contact UKVI — do not assume your leave has ended.
What to Do If You Lost Your BRP
If you lost a BRP card that was still within its validity period, the process changed with the eVisa transition.
Before January 2025: You would apply for a replacement BRP card and pay a fee.
From January 2025 onwards: Since BRPs have been replaced by eVisa, the focus is on accessing your digital status rather than replacing a physical card. Your eVisa exists in the Home Office system regardless of whether the physical card is lost.
If you cannot access your UKVI account or there is an issue with your digital status:
- Create or log in to your UKVI account
- Check whether your status is visible
- If your status is not showing correctly, contact UKVI to resolve it
From January 2025, BRPs have been phased out and replaced by eVisas. If your BRP is lost, stolen or damaged, you no longer apply for a replacement BRP. Instead, access your digital immigration status through your UKVI account at gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details. If your eVisa is not showing correctly, contact UKVI online.
How to Prove Your Status Without a BRP
With BRP cards phased out, the correct method for evidencing your immigration status is:
For right-to-work and right-to-rent checks: Generate a share code from your UKVI account. Give this code to your employer or landlord. They enter it into the Home Office checking service to verify your status.
At the UK border: Travel on your national passport. Border Force checks your status digitally using your passport number. You do not need to show a BRP card.
For benefit claims or other services: Use your share code or UKVI account confirmation. Contact UKVI if any organisation requires a physical document — the eVisa is the official proof of status.
Common Mistakes
❌ Thinking your immigration status expired with your BRP card The BRP card expiry date is not the same as your leave expiry date. If your BRP showed 31 December 2024, your underlying permission may still be valid. Log in to your UKVI account to see your current status.
❌ Presenting a BRP card for right-to-work checks Employers should now use the share code system, not physical documents. Presenting a BRP card can lead to an invalid check. Always give your employer a share code generated from your UKVI account.
❌ Not creating a UKVI account If you have never created a UKVI account, you cannot access or share your eVisa. Create one using your BRP number, passport, and date of birth. This is now essential for evidencing your status.
❌ Attempting to travel using a BRP card as your only document At the UK border, Border Force checks status digitally via your passport. The BRP card is no longer a travel document. Travel on your national passport — your eVisa is linked to it in the system.
❌ Panicking if the BRP card looks expired Many BRP cards showed a 31 December 2024 expiry that did not reflect the actual end of the holder's leave. Check your UKVI account — do not assume your status has ended because the card looks expired.
Expert Tips
1. Create your UKVI account today if you have not already. This is now your primary proof of immigration status. You need it to generate share codes, to check your conditions, and to verify your status is correct.
2. Your share code is the new BRP equivalent for right-to-work and right-to-rent checks. Employers and landlords should be familiar with the share code system. If they are not, direct them to the GOV.UK employer checking service.
3. Update your passport details in your UKVI account when you renew your passport. Your eVisa is linked to your passport number. Travel on an unlinked passport can cause border issues.
4. Check your eVisa after every Home Office decision. When ILR is granted, your eVisa updates to show settled status. Confirm the conditions are correct — your NRPF condition should disappear and your status should show as settled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Biometric Residence Permit?
A BRP was a physical card issued to most non-EEA migrants as proof of their immigration status in the UK. It has been replaced by the UK eVisa — a digital record of immigration status — from January 2025.
Do I still need my BRP card?
No. BRP cards have been replaced by the eVisa. For right-to-work and right-to-rent checks, you now use a digital share code from your UKVI account. At the UK border, Border Force checks status digitally via your passport.
What happened to BRP cards that expired on 31 December 2024?
The 31 December 2024 date on many BRP cards was an administrative date — not the expiry of the holder's immigration status. Underlying permissions that extended beyond that date were not cancelled. Access your current status through your UKVI account.
What should I do if I cannot access my eVisa?
Create or log in to your UKVI account. If there is a problem accessing your status, contact UKVI directly. Do not travel internationally until your status is confirmed.
How do I share my immigration status without a BRP card?
Generate a share code in your UKVI account. Give this code to your employer, landlord, or any other organisation that needs to verify your status. The code is valid for 90 days.
How This Aligns With Official Guidance
The BRP phase-out and eVisa transition are set out in Home Office policy and GOV.UK guidance. The Immigration Rules confirm that the share code system is the correct method for right-to-work and right-to-rent checks from January 2025 onwards.
Official Resources
- UK eVisa — GOV.UK — the digital status system that replaced BRP
- Create a UKVI account — GOV.UK — how to access your eVisa
Our Free Tools
The Life in the UK test is required for ILR. Use the free practice questions to prepare. The ILR checklist covers the current documentation requirements under the eVisa system.
Last reviewed: May 2026 — figures correct at time of publication. Always check GOV.UK for the latest BRP transition guidance.