My UK BRP has expired. How do I prove my immigration status now?

Checked on 2026-10-25

The Home Office says all biometric residence permits have expired and been replaced by eVisas. If you still have permission to stay, create a free UKVI account and link it to your eVisa. The expired BRP may then be used only to sign in, set up the account or extend your stay, until 31 December 2026 at the latest.

Key facts

What	The Home Office says	Source
BRPs	All BRPs have now expired and have been replaced by eVisas	GOV.UK, Biometric residence permits
What an eVisa is	A digital record of your identity and immigration status, including the conditions of your status (for example whether you may work or study)	GOV.UK, eVisas, “What an eVisa is”
How to get it	Create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and link it to your eVisa	GOV.UK, Biometric residence permits; eVisas, “Set up a UKVI account”
Cost	You do not need to pay to set up a UKVI account or access your eVisa	GOV.UK, eVisas, “What an eVisa is”
What the expired BRP is still good for	Signing in to view your eVisa and get a share code, creating a UKVI account, applying to extend your stay	GOV.UK, Biometric residence permits
How long	24 months after the expiry date printed on the card, or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first	GOV.UK, Biometric residence permits; eVisas, “Set up a UKVI account”
When the eVisa shows up	Usually straight away once linked; it can take up to 24 hours	GOV.UK, eVisas, “Set up a UKVI account”
Lost or stolen BRP	Must be reported even though expired; fine of up to £1,000 and removal if you don’t	GOV.UK, Biometric residence permits

What changed

The Home Office’s guidance says BRPs were cards used to prove immigration status; you might have one if you were granted permission to live or work in the UK on or before 31 October 2024. All of them have now expired, and an eVisa replaces them. If you still have permission to stay in the UK, you need to create a UKVI account to get access to your eVisa. For every other purpose, you prove your status with the eVisa, not the card.

Setting up the UKVI account

The guidance says you need a phone number and an email address you can use each time you sign in, and one of these: a valid passport with your visa application number (GWF or UAN), a valid passport with your BRP number, or your expired BRP. After creating the account you confirm your identity with a smartphone app and link the account to your eVisa. If you have neither a valid passport nor an expired BRP, or cannot use the app, you can confirm your identity another way.

Check first whether you already have an account. You do if you ever used the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app, created an account when applying, replaced a BRP or BRC with an eVisa, or applied to the EU Settlement Scheme. The guidance says not to create a second one. Partners and children who are your dependants need their own UKVI accounts.

Using the eVisa

From the UKVI account you can view your eVisa and get a share code for an employer, a landlord or travel. The person checking needs the code and your date of birth. A share code lasts 90 days and can be used as many times as you need.

If your eVisa shows wrong details, or you can view it but can’t get a share code, report an error online. UKVI aims to fix most issues within 5 working days, and complex ones within up to 15 working days.

If something is wrong with the old card

If there’s a problem with your expired BRP, the guidance says you can’t use it and must destroy it: cut through your personal details, the royal coat of arms and the chip. A lost or stolen BRP must still be reported; the guidance warns of a fine of up to £1,000 and being made to leave the UK if you don’t.

Travelling with an eVisa: add the passport you travel on to your UKVI account (GOV.UK, eVisas, “Travel with your eVisa”).
If you have a visa vignette (sticker) in your passport, it remains valid until it expires (GOV.UK, eVisas, “What an eVisa is”).

Sources

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.