- A replacement BRP costs 56.90 pounds in 2026, applied for via the "Report and replace your BRP" service on gov.uk.
- If the BRP was lost or stolen outside the UK, report to the police and the nearest British embassy or visa application centre first.
- A replacement BRP is typically issued within 10 working days inside the UK.
- The BRP is being phased out in favour of eVisas; most new leave grants from 2024 onwards are digital-only.
- Not reporting a lost or damaged BRP within a reasonable period may be counted against good character in future applications.
Last reviewed: 13 May 2026
A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is a credit-card-sized document issued to non-EEA nationals granted leave to remain in the UK for more than six months. It contains biometric data (fingerprints and a photograph) alongside the holder's personal details, visa type, and conditions of leave.
What Is a BRP and Who Holds One
BRPs were the primary physical proof of immigration status in the UK from 2012 onwards. From 2024-2025, the Home Office began transitioning to digital-only eVisas for most new grants of leave. BRPs issued before the transition remain valid until their stated expiry date. Some visa categories still result in a physical BRP being issued; check the eVisa transition guidance for the latest position on which routes still issue physical cards.
When to Apply for a Replacement
A replacement BRP application should be made if the original is lost (misplaced and cannot be found after a reasonable search), stolen (report to the police and obtain a crime reference number before applying), damaged (to the point where personal details or the biometric chip are no longer legible), or destroyed (including accidental damage from washing machine, water damage, fire). It is a condition of holding a BRP that the holder reports its loss, theft or destruction to the Home Office. Failing to report within a reasonable period, typically understood as 3 months, may be noted adversely in future immigration applications including ILR and citizenship.
How to Apply for a Replacement in the UK
Report the loss or theft online via the "Report and replace your BRP" service at gov.uk. If stolen, obtain a police crime reference number first. Complete the online form (personal details, visa reference number, explanation of what happened). Pay the 56.90 pound fee via the online portal. Attend a biometric appointment if required (not always necessary for a straight replacement if biometrics are already on file). Receive the replacement, typically within 10 working days to the UK address provided.
Applying from Outside the UK
If the BRP is lost or stolen while the holder is abroad: report the loss to the local police and obtain a written report; contact the nearest British embassy, High Commission or UKVI visa application centre; apply for a Replacement BRP Vignette (a temporary sticker placed in the passport to allow re-entry to the UK; the fee for this is approximately 154 pounds, subject to change); on return to the UK, apply for the full replacement BRP via the standard online route.
The overseas process takes longer and requires an in-person appointment. Lead times vary significantly by country. Applicants in regions with limited UKVI presence should expect longer waits.
BRP Lost Abroad With Imminent Return Flight
If the BRP is lost abroad with a flight home booked within days: contact UKVI via the overseas helpline immediately. In parallel, contact the airline; some airlines will accept a printout of the UKVI online account showing the holder's eVisa status in lieu of a physical BRP, but this is not guaranteed and varies by carrier and departure country. Attend the British embassy or local VAC as an emergency walk-in if the scheduled appointment system does not have slots. If a Vignette cannot be obtained in time, re-booking the flight may be the only option. Check whether travel insurance covers the rebooking cost.
BRP vs eVisa: Understanding the Transition
The Home Office has been migrating immigration status records to digital eVisas. BRP (physical card): credit-card-sized physical card; present card physically or use share code to prove status; if lost, report and pay 56.90 pounds to replace; used as secondary document alongside passport; being phased out from 2024.
eVisa (digital): digital record in UKVI online account; generate share code via online account to prove status; if "lost", log in to UKVI account as status is always accessible; not a travel document (passport only); standard for most new grants from 2024; free to access online at any time.
BRP holders who have not yet set up their UKVI online account and linked their BRP should do so. This provides a digital backup of immigration status that is accessible even if the physical BRP is lost.
Urgent Travel Without a BRP
If the BRP cannot be replaced in time for imminent travel, the holder should check whether their UKVI online account shows their eVisa record (this can sometimes be accepted as digital proof of status). Contact the UKVI contact centre to obtain a status letter as a temporary measure. Some airlines and border officers will accept proof via the UKVI online account status check; check directly with the airline and the destination country's entry requirements before travelling. For re-entry to the UK specifically, Border Force has the ability to verify status without a physical BRP using the Home Office system; travellers who have reported the loss and hold valid leave should not be refused re-entry on the basis of a missing BRP alone.
What If the Replacement Has an Error
If the replacement BRP arrives with incorrect details (wrong name spelling, wrong date of birth, incorrect visa conditions), do not use it. Contact the BRP delivery team immediately using the contact details on the delivery notification card. Replacements for Home Office errors are issued free of charge. Using a BRP with incorrect details as proof of status is an immigration document offence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work or rent without my BRP while waiting for a replacement?
Yes, in most cases. Employers and landlords can use the Home Office online right to work and right to rent check services using the holder's date of birth and Home Office reference number. A share code can be generated via the UKVI online account.
Do I need to pay for a replacement if the BRP arrived damaged?
No. If a BRP was damaged during postal delivery or arrived with an error, the replacement is free. Contact the BRP delivery team at the number on the delivery notification card.
Will a replacement BRP have the same expiry date as the original?
Yes. The replacement carries the same leave conditions and expiry date. It does not grant a new period of leave.
What if I find my original BRP after receiving a replacement?
Return the original to the Home Office immediately. Do not attempt to use it; a cancelled BRP used as proof of status is an offence.
Does losing a BRP affect my ILR or citizenship application?
Losing and properly reporting a BRP does not in itself affect an ILR or citizenship application. Failing to report the loss may be noted under the good character assessment. The replacement process should be completed before the substantive settlement application is submitted.
How We Verified This Article
This article draws on Home Office BRP guidance, the UKVI report and replace service, and published eVisa transition announcements current as of May 2026.
