08 Nov Delay in the production of biometric cards
Migrants who are applying for leave to remain in the UK, will usually receive their biometric card within 7-10 working days from the date of their decision. However, due to problems in the secure production facility, there is currently a backlog of cards awaiting production.
Although the Home Office has stated that they are currently working hard to produce BRP cards as quickly as they can, migrants might not receive their card within the expected time frame. The Home Office also added that individuals should refrain from contacting them or their secure delivery partner (FedEx) chasing an update on the production or availability of their BRP card. Migrants will receive a notification from the Home Office and from FedEx once their BRP has been produced.
How do you prove your status without a BRP?
Migrants can use the email/message of the decision from the Home Office, along with the passport or other identity document they used in their application, to show that they hold lawful status in the UK but have not received a BRP to evidence their status due to a specific issue which prevents the Home Office issuing their BRP.
In addition, employers can use the Employer Checking Service via: https://www.gov.uk/employee-immigration-employment-status. Once the Home Office has received the request, they will confirm the individual’s right to work directly to the employer to allow them to fulfil their statutory duties.
For landlords, they can use the Landlord Checking Service via: https://eforms.homeoffice.gov.uk/outreach/lcs-application.ofml. Once the request is received the Home Office will also confirm the migrant’s right to rent directly to the landlord.
Please note that if other government departments, for example, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the NHS, a Local Authority or other government department wish to confirm a migrant’s status, they should contact Status Verification, Enquiries and Checking (SVEC) at the Home Office.
What if you applied for a visa from outside the UK?
Individuals who applied for a visa from outside the UK will need to collect their BRP card from the relevant post office branch or their sponsor before the vignette sticker in their travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.
However, due to recent significant delays in the production and delivery of BRPs, migrants might find that their BRP has not been ready for collection from the post office or their sponsor. In this situation, individuals can keep contacting the relevant post office or their sponsor to check whether their BRP card is ready to be collected.
https://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder
Please note that overseas individual should collect their BRP after they finish self-isolating if needed. The post office will normally keep their BRP card for 60 days.
Report a problem with collecting your BRP card
Individuals can report a problem to the Home Office if they cannot collect their BRP card for any reason, https://www.biometric-residence-permit.service.gov.uk/collection/where, for instance:
- You went to collect it from the Post Office and it was not there;
- You’ve lost your passport or travel document, or cannot prove your identity;
- You do not know which Post Office to go to because you’ve lost your decision letter.
Once the migrant reported online, he/she will usually receive a response within 5 working days. It might will take longer if they do not provide an email address.
Contact Our Immigration Team
For expert advice regarding any aspect of the UK visa application, please contact our immigration team on 0203 384 3075.
