BRP cards to be phased out by 31 December 2024

Biometrics are used to capture information about an individual’s external physical characteristics, such as a photograph of their face, and images of their fingerprints.

In the UK, Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) are issued to migrants who are subject to immigration control and are broadly used to confirm the migrants’ identity, right to study, right to any public services or benefits.

In addition, migrants can used their BRP cards to generate a share code, which in turn can be used to prove their right to work or right to rent online using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work and https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent.

Currently a BRP is issued with an expiry date of 31 December 2024, even if the migrant were to be granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or an extension of their leave for a date past this. In fact, from January 2020, applicants who were granted limited leave for a period of 5 years have also been given BRPs with an expiry date of 31 December 2024. However, it doesn’t mean that the leave to remain in the UK is going to expire on 31 December 2024.

The Home Office has explained that the date of 31 December 2024 reflects the fact that current BRPs do not incorporate the next generation encryption technology required by the EU.

In addition, the Home Office also states that from 1 January 2025, migrants will be able to prove their immigration status online without a BRP card. The UKVI will also update the detailed information in early 2024.

Please note that those who used UK Immigration: ID Check App to submit their visa application to stay in the UK, will not be issued with a BRP card. Individuals will need to prove their immigration status online instead: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status.

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