travel outside uk with brp

Visa Traveler

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43 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa [2024 edition]

Updated: March 21, 2024 533 Comments

One of the frequent questions I get is which countries can I visit with a UK visa. The short answer is the UK. The long answer is you can travel to 40 countries and territories VISA-FREE with UK visa.

I encourage you all to get a US visa or at least a Canada visa first. Both these visas are long-term visas. These visas offer VISA-FREE travel to quite a few countries. But if you happen to have a UK visa or applying for one, then it is still better than not having any visas at all. There are about 40 countries and territories you can visit with a UK visa.

UK tourist visas are mostly short-term (C-Type) visas valid for 6 months. The UK does issue long-term visas for 5/10 years but it would cost an arm and a leg.

The UK visa application is not the most difficult, but it can be stressful due to its lengthy processing times and lack of customer service.

Table of Contents

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER Visa requirements change constantly but we make every effort to keep the information accurate and up to date. We provide links to official sources wherever necessary, so you can conduct your own due diligence to verify the visa requirements before planning your trip. We shall not be held liable for any damages incurred as a result of using the information in this article. Refer to our full disclaimer for more information.

Which UK Visas are eligible?

Depending on the country, any of the below UK visas can be used.

• UK Visitor Visa (Standard visitor and Short-term study)
• UK Student Visa (Tier 4)
• UK Work Visa (Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 5)
• UK Transit Visa (DATV and Visitor in Transit)
• UK Family Visa (Spouse)
• UK Residence Permit (ILR and BRP)

Refer to each country below for permitted UK visa types. Some countries require the UK visa to be multiple-entry and have been used at least once to travel to the UK.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

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North America

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities
• Permitted visas: All used/unused multiple-entry UK visas
• Permitted resident permits: All valid ILRs (permanent resident cards)
• Entry granted: Up to 180 days
• UK visa or residence permit must be valid during the entire stay in Mexico
• Passport must be valid during the entire stay in Mexico
• Official source: National Institute of Migration, Mexico

WARNING UK BRP cards are NOT ACCEPTED to enter Mexico. Only valid/unexpired UK visas (visa sticker in the passport) or UK ILR cards (permanent residency) are accepted. Also, if you are from the African continent (ex: Nigeria, Ghana, etc.), please check with Mexican authorities before planning your travel. I’m hearing a lot of stories of entry refusals and deportations at Mexican airports.

RELATED: 53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with a US visa in 2024

Central America

02. Costa Rica

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry Tier 1, 2, 4 or 5 visas (student and work only)
• Permitted residence permits: All valid ILR and BRPs
• Entry granted: 30 days
• IMPORTANT: UK standard visitor visas are NOT accepted
• UK Tier 1, 2, 4, 5 visas or BRPs must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington DC, USA
• Permitted visas: All valid used multiple-entry UK visas
• UK visa or residence permit must have been used at least once to enter the UK before
• UK visa or residence permit must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Must show proof of economic solvency for a minimum of 500 USD
• Original sources: Embassy of Panama in the USA

RELATED: 38 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Canada visa in 2024

04. Anguilla (British Territory)

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry UK visas
• Entry granted: 90 days
• Official source: The Government of Anguilla

05. Antigua and Barbuda

• Permitted residence permits: A valid ILR (permanent resident permit)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL (VOA)
• VOA fee is 100 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• UK Visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Department of Immigration, Antigua and Barbuda
• Permitted residence permits: All valid ILR and BRPs (applies to all nationalities)
• Official source: Netherlands Worldwide

07. Bahamas

• Permitted residence permits: A valid ILR (permanent resident card)
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas

08. Bermuda (British Territory)

• UK visa or residence permit must be valid for a minimum of 45 days beyond the date of departure from Bermuda
• Passport must be valid for a minimum of 45 days beyond the date of departure from Bermuda
• Official source: Government of Bermuda

09. Bonaire (Dutch Territory)

10. british virgin islands (british territory).

• Permitted residence permits: None
• Entry granted: 180 days
• Entry rule: UK visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Government of the Virgin Islands (British)

11. Cayman Islands (British Territory)

• Entry rule: Must arrive in the Cayman Islands directly from the UK. Arriving from a third country is not permitted.
• Official source: Cayman Islands Customs and Border Controls

12. Curaçao

13. dominican republic.

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry UK visas, except transit
• Entry rule: If arriving by land or sea, must pay a departure tax of 20 USD before departing. If arriving by air, the departure tax is included in the airfare.
• Official source: Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the UK

14. Jamaica

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Dominican Republic
• Entry rules: UK visa must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Immigration Department of Jamaica

15. Sint Maarten

16. turks and caicos (british territory).

• Official source: Ministry of Border Control of Turks and Caicos

RELATED: 53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Schengen visa in 2024

South America

• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

RELATED: 18 countries you can visit VISA-FREE with an Australian visa or PR in 2024

18. Albania

• Permitted visas: All valid USED multiple-entry UK visas
• Entry rule: UK visa must have been used at least once to enter the UK
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania

19. Armenia

• Marshall Islands
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Entry granted: 21 or 120 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL
• VOA fee is 3,000 AMD, valid for 21 days, single-entry (OR) 15,000 AMD, valid for 120 days, single-entry
• Visa must be a STICKER in the passport, E-Visa prints are not accepted
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia

20. Georgia

• UK visa must be valid on the day of arrival in Georgia
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

21. Gibraltar (British Territory)

• UK visa must have been issued for at least 6 months or more
• UK residence permit must have been issued for at least 12 months or more
• Official source: Gibraltar Borders & Coastguards Agency

22. Ireland

• North Macedonia
• Permitted visas: A valid used multiple-entry UK short-stay standard visitor visa
• Entry granted: 90 days or until the exit date on your UK entry stamp, whichever is shorter
• Must enter the UK first before entering Ireland
• Must enter and exit Ireland within the exit date on your UK entry stamp (this is different from the visa expiry date)
• Can enter Ireland directly from the UK or elsewhere, but must enter Ireland within the exit date on the UK entry stamp
• Official source: Department of Justice of Ireland

23. Moldova

• Central African Republic
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• South Africa
• Entry rule: The UK visa or BRP must be valid for the intended period of stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova

24. Montenegro

• Entry rule: UK visa must be valid for the intended period of the stay
• Official source: Government of Montenegro

25. North Macedonia

• Entry granted: 15 days
• UK visa must be valid for at least 5 days beyond the intended period of stay
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 3 months in any 6 months period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia
• UK visa must be valid for the entire duration of the stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
• Afghanistan
• Algeria (those aged 15-18 and 35-65)
• North Korea
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Turkey e-Visa online
• eVisa fee is 43 USD, valid for 180 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey

If you hold a UK visa or BRP, you can follow this  step-by-step guide to apply for Turkey e-Visa . This guide has step-by-step instructions and screenshots to help you fill out the application, pay the visa fee and download your approved e-Visa.

28. United Kingdom (Of course!)

• Includes all parts of the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Includes British Crown Dependencies: Isle of Man and the Channel Islands (Bailiwick of Jersey and Bailiwick of Guernsey)

RELATED: 5 ways to get proof of onward travel for your next trip

Middle East

29. Bahrain

• Entry granted: 14 days or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL or Bahrain eVisa
• Single-entry VOA fee is 5 BD, valid for 14 days, entry up to 14 days
• Multiple-entry VOA fee is 12 BD, valid for 3 months, entry up to 30 days
• Single-entry eVisa fee is 9 BD, valid for 14 days, entry up to 14 days
• Multiple-entry eVisa fee is 16 BD, valid for 1 month, entry up to 14 days
• For VOA, the UK visa must be valid for the entire stay in Bahrain
• For eVisa, the UK visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Bahrain eVisa Portal
• Burkina Faso
• Congo, Dem. Rep. Of
• Congo, Rep. of
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Guinea Bissau
• Sierra Leone
• South Sudan
• Permitted visas: None
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Jordan E-Visa
• The ILR or BRP must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Jordan E-Visa Portal
• El Salvador
• Entry granted: 10 or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Oman 26M or 26N Tourist Visa online
• 26M eVIsa fee is 20 OMR, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• 26N eVIsa fee is 5 OMR, valid for 10 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Sultanate of Oman, Royal Oman Police
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for A3 Visa online on the Hayya portal
• A3 Visa fee is QAR 100, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Must provide hotel booking for the entire stay reserved through the Discover Qatar website
• UK visa or BRP/ILR must be valid on the day of the A3 Visa application
• Official source: Qatar Tourism Board

33. Saudi Arabia

• Permitted visas: Valid USED multiple-entry UK standard visitor visa (other visas not accepted)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL or Saudi Arabia eVisa
• VOA or eVisa fee is 300 SAR, valid for 1 year, multiple-entry (plus service fee and insurance fee)
• UK visa must have been used at least once to enter the UK
• Official source: Saudi Arabia Tourism Authority

34. United Arab Emirates

• Permitted residence permits: All valid ILR, BRP and spouse visas
• Entry granted: 14 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL at all UAE airports
• VOA fee is 100 AED, valid for 14 days, single-entry only
• UK residence permit must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Embassy of UAE in London, UK

RELATED: How to turn your weak passport into a strong passport (with examples)

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL at all international airports
• VOA fee is $25 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• UK visa must have been used to enter the UK at least once
• Official source: Egypt Tourism Department

36. Morocco

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Morocco e-Visa
• E-Visa fee is 770 MAD, valid for 180 days, single-entry only
• UK visa or BPR/ILR must be valid for at least 90 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Morocco E-Visa Portal

RELATED: How to book flight tickets with 24 hour FREE cancellation on Expedia: A step-by-step guide

• Permitted visas: Valid multiple-entry UK RESIDENT visas such as student, work, etc.
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to apply for  Japan eVisa
• eVisa fee is JPY 3,000, valid for 90 days, single-entry only
• Must submit  proof of residence  to prove that you reside in the UK
• Must show the visa issuance confirmation via the eVisa website on your phone at the immigration (Prints and PDFs are not accepted)
• Must enter Japan by flight only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

38. Kyrgyzstan

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused LONG-TERM multiple-entry UK visas, issued for at least for 3+ years
• Entry granted: 7 days
• UK visa must be a long-term visa issued for 3 or more years, visas issued for less than 3 years are not accepted
• After entering Kyrgyzstan this way, you can only reenter Kyrgyzstan again after 21 days
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan

39. Philippines

• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure
• Official source: Embassy of the Philippines in India

40. Singapore

• Entry granted: 96 hours (4 days)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to obtain Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF) upon arrival
• Must be traveling to or from the country of passport. Example: Must be traveling to a third country from India via Singapore or traveling to India from a third country via Singapore. An example itinerary would be India-Singapore-Bali or Bali-Singapore-India.
• Both arriving and departing flights in Singapore must be on the same itinerary
• UK visa or BPR/ILR must be valid for at least 1 month at the time of arrival
• Official source: Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

41. South Korea

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities (except these 23 countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameron, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen)
• Entry rule: Must be traveling to/from the UK through South Korea
• Official source: South Korea Embassy in Washington DC, USA
• Permitted visas: All valid/expired used/unused single/multiple-entry UK visas, except transit
• Permitted residence permits: All valid/expired ILR and BRPs
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to apply for ROC Travel Authorization Certificate online
• ROC Travel Authorization Certificate is free of charge, valid for 90 days, multiple-entry
• If using an EXPIRED UK visa or residence permit, the visa or residence permit must have expired in the last 10 years
• Official source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)

43. Thailand

• Permitted residence permits: A valid ILR or BRP
• Entry granted: 60 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Thailand e-Visa online
• E-Visa fee is 40 USD, valid for 90 days or 180 days, single or multiple-entry
• Must submit  proof of residence in the UK such as driver’s license, utility bill, etc
• Thai E-Visa Portal

So, there you have it! 43 countries and territories you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa.

Do you know any other country (I haven’t listed here) where you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa? Let me know in the comments below.

Change history:  For those who are interested, here are the changes to this list.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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Travelling and re-entering the UK

This page provides guidance about leaving and re-entering the UK and the documents you should carry in your hand luggage, depending on when you are travelling. There is also guidance on applying for a Schengen visa for those who need a visa to travel in Europe, and visas for returning to the UK for your graduation ceremony .

Leaving and re-entering the UK

There are some important questions to consider b efore you travel . ....  

• Do you need a visa for the country you are visiting or transiting through?   Check directly with the country's Embassy  
• Have you collected your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) already?   If you arrive in the UK with a 90-day visa vignette (sticker), you then have 10 days to collect your BRP. If you want to travel outside the UK shortly after you first arrive, collect your BRP first.  If you cannot collect your BRP and you need to travel in an emergency,  contact us  for advice.  
• Is your current application for Student immigration permission pending, but you need to travel in an emergency?  If you travel, you will cancel your pending application.  Contact us for advice for advice.

*If your current Student immigration permission has been curtailed, please check the section ' Can I travel and return to the UK after I have been reported to the Home Office? ' on our  Immigration Reporting and Curtailment   page.  

When and why are you re-entering the UK?  Read the relevant section below:

During your course.

With  Student permission , you can leave and re-enter the UK as often as you wish before the end date of your course. On re-entering, you may need to show the Border Force Officer evidence of your reasons for returning, so you should carry all the following in your hand luggage:  

• Your passport, and your BRP if you have one  
• An up-to-date  Queen Mary Student Status letter showing that your course is continuing.    
• If you are traveling during term-time, ask your Academic S chool to provide you with written confirmation that your absence is authorised. Direct staff in your school to Immigration Compliance’s  guidance on absence , which includes a template letter.    
• Documents relating to your finances, demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to live in the UK e.g. bank statements.  

The  UKCISA website  has useful information about what happens at immigration and customs on entering the UK.  

Visitor  immigration permission issued on arrival in the UK ends when you leave the Common Travel Area (this area comprises Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey). When you return to the UK, you will need to apply again for entry. You should carry evidence that you are still studying in the UK in your hand luggage , and that you will leave the UK at the end of your studies. It would be a good idea to carry, for example, an up-to-date Queen Mary Student Status letter and evidence of your finances for example recent bank statements , and a return ticket to your home country, if you have one.  

A Visitor visa which you applied for before travelling to the UK allows multiple re-entries. You may be required to show that you are still studying. In your hand luggage carry an up-to-date Queen Mary Student Status letter , and evidence of your finances, for example, recent bank statements.  

For a resit

Please refer to the information in our guide  How and when do I apply for new immigration permission to undertake my re-sits .  

After a course studied as a Visitor

If you leave the UK after your studies, for example to travel to Europe, you may be questioned about your intentions if you try to return to the UK as a Visitor, even if you are planning to study another course. If the Border Force Officer believes that you are making the UK your home through successive visits, then you could be refused entry to the UK.   

  You will need to make a new application for  Visitor permission  before you travel to the UK, unless you are a non-visa national , in which case you can request permission as a Visitor again on arrival. If you are a non-visa national and request Visitor permission at the port of entry to the UK, it would be a good idea to carry evidence in your hand luggage to show your intentions in the UK, for example, proof that you have sufficient funds to stay in the UK, evidence of where you will be staying, your itinerary in the UK and your return travel tickets to your home country.   

If you are intending to enter as a V isitor, you must satisfy the requirement of ‘a genuine intention to visit’. Visitors must not live in the UK through extended periods of frequent or successive visits. This is particularly relevant, as you will have just spent a period in the UK studying.   

After your course, before graduation

Students can travel outside, and re-enter, the UK whilst they hold valid permission as a S tudent, including during the period after they have completed their course and still hold permission as a S tudent.   

Border Force Officials may still want to be satisfied that you are entering for study related reasons and will leave the UK before your visa expires, or that you will submit an in-time application to extend your permission in the UK.   

We advise you carry the printed order confirmation from 'Your Graduation' to confirm the date of your graduation ceremony so the Border Force Officer can see that you have a study-related reason to re-enter the UK.  

You will receive the order confirmation from 'Your Graduation' once you have booked the ceremony. You can also show your results , by downloading and printing a copy of your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR). This will demonstrate to the Border Force Officer the course that you have been undertaking, and your results for the course.  Find out how to access your HEAR on the Student Enquiry Centre website .   

If your Student permission expires before your graduation, you can choose to request entry with Visitor permission instead. We have  guidance about applying for a Visitor visa to return for your graduation ceremony below .  However, you must not enter as a Visitor if, after graduation, you intend to extend your stay under the Student Route, or switch to another immigration category.   

To make a  Student application for a new course at Queen Mary

Generally, it is most straightforward to enter the UK with the Student immigration permission issued specifically for your new course at Queen Mary.   

If it is not logistically possible for you to apply for the new Queen Mary Student permission before travelling, you can enter on your current immigration permission if you meet all these requirements:  

• Your current immigration permission allows you to make a Student application in the UK.  See our guidance ' Check if you can apply in the UK ? ';  and  
• You have everything ready to make the new Student application in the UK as soon as possible, including meeting the 28-day maintenance requirement, if required. See our detailed  guidance  for full information on eligibility, evidence, and how to apply for Student permission. 

You must make the new application before your programme at Queen Mary starts, and before your current Student permission expires, whichever is sooner.  

Please note: If you have submitted an application outside the UK, you should not travel to the UK until your visa has been granted and not before the valid from date of your visa.  

In your hand luggage, we advise you carry:

• Your printed Queen Mary CAS statement  
• Evidence that you meet the other Student visa requirements, for example evidence of your funds .  

After graduation

It is important to understand that your Student immigration permission is not generic permission to enter the UK for any reason: it is issued specifically for you to enter the UK to start or continue your studies.   

If you travel during the post-study period, Border Force officials may want to be satisfied that you will either complete the study-related activity and leave the UK before your visa expires, or that you will submit an in-time application to extend or switch your leave in the UK.  

You should carry documentation to show to the Border Force Officer, if required, the reasons you are returning to the UK. You may have fewer study-related reasons to re-enter the UK after your graduation has taken place, so you may face more questions from a Border Force Officer. You could even be refused entry if the Border Force Officer is not satisfied with your reasons for entering the UK, although this is unlikely if you have evidence of your situation in your hand luggage.   

If you are planning to apply for another visa in the UK (such as a Student visa extension or switching to a Skilled Worker or Graduate Route visa), you should be prepared to explain this and if possible, provide evidence that you meet the requirements to apply. If you are not planning to apply for another visa, it would be advisable to have evidence of your intentions to leave the UK before your visa expires (such as evidence of flight booking, job or study offer outside the UK etc.).  

Travelling in and out of the UK before your studies

If you are planning to travel in and out of the UK prior to commencing your studies at Queen Mary, please note the following:    

Non visa nationals:  

If you are a  non-visa national , you are not required to apply for and obtain a visa before you enter the UK as a Visitor.   

If you are coming to the UK as a Visitor before you start your studies and plan to leave the UK before re-entering again to start your studies, you can obtain permission to enter the UK as a Visitor if you meet the  Visitor requirements .  

If you are coming to the UK to  study with Student immigration permission you cannot normally hold more than one form of permission at the same time. However, exceptionally, a non-visa national i s eligible to be granted leave as a Visitor before their Student permission is valid. You must then leave and re-enter the UK after the ‘valid from’ date of your visa vignette, to enter as a S tudent .  

Please do check which immigration permission is appropriate for your studies at Queen Mary.

Visa Nationals:  

If you are a visa national , you can enter the UK no earlier than the valid from date on your entry clearance vignette (visa) in your passport. You cannot normally hold more than one form of permission at the same time.  

In all cases, you must check to ensure that you enter the UK with the correct permission for the purpose of each entry at the border.  

Schengen Visas

The Schengen area consists of 26 countries, and the Schengen agreement allows you to travel between these countries using one visa.   

Check on the website of the Embassy of the country where you intend to apply for your visa to see if you are required to apply for a Schengen visa to travel to the Schengen area or whether you are a visa free national.  

If the website does not have the information you need, you will need to telephone the embassy (most embassies have a telephone line giving detailed recorded information). Alternatively you can try faxing or emailing them.

See the UKCISA webpages for guidance about which countries are part of the Schengen area, which type of Schengen visa to apply for and the application process, including supporting documents.   

to check what needs to be submitted with your application. You will have to fill in an application form, which you can probably download from their website. If the website does not have the information you need, you will need to telephone the embassy (most embassies have a telephone line giving detailed recorded information). Alternatively you can try faxing or emailing them.

Please note that a letter of no objection is not a requirement for a Schengen visa application.  Please check the information on the official Visa Application Centre website of the country to which you will apply.  

You can download an up to date  Student Status letter  from your Gradintelligence account as evidence of your studies.  

There are some agencies in London that charge to help you with your application. It is not necessary to use agencies and most students apply by themselves.  

If you have completed your course, check with the relevant embassy if you can still meet the eligibility requirements. 

Coming back to the UK for your graduation ceremony

If your Student permission expires before your graduation ceremony, you can apply for Visitor permission from your home country in order to return for your ceremony. If you are a non-visa national , you can request Visitor permission on entry to the UK . You cannot extend your Student visa once you have completed your course.   

You should prepare the following documents/evidence:  

• Your reason for travelling to the UK is to attend your graduation ceremony. You can print the order confirmation from 'Your Graduation' as evidence of your ceremony.   
• Evidence that you have sufficient funds to stay in the UK without working. UKVI do not stipulate a set amount, so we recommend at least £1334 for every month you intend to stay in the UK.  
• Evidence of where you will be staying in the UK   e.g. a hotel booking, or a letter of invitation if you are staying with family or friends.  
• Reasons to return to your home country/country of residence after the graduation ceremony. You could show a return ticket home or a letter from your employer or education institution showing that they expect you to return to your work or studies.  
• If you are not a national of the country in which you are applying, your residence permit, visa, or document as evidence of your status in this country ​  

You can find further details about the documents you will need to provide on the  government website . We recommend that you read the information on this page carefully before making your application.   

You can apply up to three months before you are due to travel to the UK. You will not be able to extend your Visitor permission or change it to any other category of permission from the UK.   

Can I Travel Outside the UK Without My BRP? - A Comprehensive Guide

Planning a trip outside the UK and wondering if you can travel without your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)? Our guide explains everything you need to know for a hassle-free journey.

1/9/2024 2 min read

Are you planning to travel outside the United Kingdom but don't have your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) ? This question often troubles many residents and visitors in the UK. This article will explore the rules and regulations surrounding this situation.

Understanding the BRP

First, let's understand what a BRP is. A BRP proves your identity, shows your permission to stay in the UK, and outlines any work or study conditions. If you have a visa or immigration status lasting more than 6 months, you'll usually get a BRP.

Can You Leave the UK Without a BRP?

The short answer is yes, you can leave the UK without your BRP. However, returning could be a problem. Your BRP is a vital document for re-entry into the UK. Airlines might not allow you to board your flight back to the UK without it. Additionally, you could face delays or be denied entry at the UK border.

What If You Lose Your BRP Abroad?

If you lose your BRP while outside the UK, you must apply for a 'replacement BRP visa,' which lets you re-enter the UK once. Once back in the UK, you must apply for a replacement BRP within three months.

Steps to Take Before Traveling

Keep Your BRP Safe: Ensure you have your BRP with you before planning any travel outside the UK.

Check Your BRP Validity: Your BRP should be valid for your trip.

Carry Supporting Documents: Always carry other proofs of your UK status, like a visa copy.

Re-entering the UK Without a BRP

You must take action quickly if you are outside the UK without your BRP. Contact the nearest British consulate or embassy for guidance. You may need to provide proof of your residence status in the UK.

Important Considerations

BRP Renewal: If your BRP is about to expire, renew it before traveling .

Visa Status: Keep your visa status in mind. Some visas have travel restrictions.

Emergency Travel: In emergencies, seek advice from the UK Home Office.

Traveling without your BRP outside the UK is possible, but returning can be challenging. Always plan and keep your BRP safe during your travels.

External Resources

You can visit the UK Government's official guide on BRPs for more detailed information. Also, consult the UK Visa and Immigration website for any policy updates or changes.

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Biometric Residence Permit Guide 2024

Anne morris.

• 2 January 2024

IN THIS SECTION

Under current UK rules, certain foreign nationals can use a biometric residence permit (BRP) as proof of their UK immigration status.

BRPs are set to be phased out as the UK government progresses with plans to digitise the immigration system. From 1 January 2025, the Home Office will no longer issue BRPs. Instead, visa holders will rely on their eVisa digital status.

What are biometrics?

Biometrics refer to information about the external physical characteristics of a visa-holder, including a digital facial photograph and a scan of their fingerprints.

What is a biometric residence permit?

An individual must usually enrol their biometrics when applying for a visa of more than 6 months, which are then used in a biometric residence permit (BRP).

A BRP is a physical polycarbonate card issued by the Home Office containing both this biometric information and immigration status in a tamperproof embedded chip. The permit has a unique document number.

The BRP is designed to provide a secure and easily-verified proof of identity and a person’s permission to be in the UK.

It is an easy way of reliably identifying a foreign national, and is designed to help combat illegal working and reduce illegal immigration to the UK.

It shows your biographic details, ie; your name, date and place of birth, as well as your biometric information, ie; fingerprints and facial image. The BRP also includes their conditions of leave, such as if someone is eligible for benefits.

As the holder of a BRP, this will allow you to prove your identity safely and quickly, when required, and provide official proof of your lawful status in the UK.

You are not required to carry your BRP at all times, but you must show this with your passport at the UK border, if required, when travelling in and out of the UK.

Who needs a BRP?

You will be issued with a BRP if you:

• Apply to come to the UK for longer than 6 months
• Extend your visa to longer than 6 months
• Apply to settle in the UK
• Transfer your visa to a new passport
• Apply for certain Home Office travel documents

You will not be able to get a BRP if you used the UK Immigration: ID Check app when applying to remain in the UK. In these circumstances, you can only prove your immigration status online.

Why do I need a biometric residence permit?

The biometric residence permit can be used to confirm your immigration status in the UK, as well as your right to any public services or benefits you may be entitled to. It can also be used as a form of identification, for example, if you wish to open a UK bank account.

You are not required to carry your biometric residence permit at all times, but you must show it at the UK border, together with your passport, when travelling outside of, and when returning to, the UK. The card will confirm the date when your leave expires, and any other restrictions placed on your right to stay. As such, your permit will be valid for the duration of your leave.

Is a BRP the same as a BRC?

No, a BRP is a biometrics residence permit, while a BRC is a biometric residence card. While both documents relate to immigration status in the UK, they differ as follows:

Who they are issued to

BRPs are issued to foreign nationals who have received permission to stay in the UK for more than 6 months, such as on a visa or gaining indefinite leave to remain, whereas BRCs were oreviously issued to family members of EEA nationals resident in the UK.

What they are for

The BRP serves as proof of your immigration status and entitlement to access public services in the UK. It contains your biometric information (photo and fingerprints).

The BRC is primarily a document to prove residence rights for family members of EEA nationals, similar to a BRP but with “Residence Card” printed on it.

BRCs were discontinued in December 2020 and are no longer issued, although existing BRCs remain valid until their expiry date.

If you hold a BRC, you would not need to apply for a BRP unless your BRC expires and you wish to remain in the UK. However, you may need to obtain a different type of visa or status depending on your circumstances.

BRPs are also being phased out but remain in use for individuals holding certain visas or granted indefinite leave to remain until 2025. All new BRPs are now bring issued with an expiry date of 31 December 2024, regardless of the holder’s authorised period of leave. From 1 January 2025, UK immigration status must be proven using the eVisa system.

How do I apply for a biometric residence permit?

You do not have to apply separately for a biometric residence permit, rather you will get one automatically if your visa or immigration application is approved, or you are replacing an older document.

That said, as part of your visa or immigration application you will need to enrol your biometric information, namely, a scan of your fingerprints and a digital photograph of your face. You will also need to provide your signature.

The process is quick, taking between 5-10 minutes and does not involve any ink or mess. You will also not need to take off your head covering if you wear one for either religious or medical reasons.

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, although a child under the age of 5 does not need to give their fingerprints when they apply.

You do not have to apply separately for a BRP, where registering your biometric information forms part of the application process for a visa of more than 6 months. You will be told by the Home Office when you apply whether you will be required to enrol your biometrics and where this should be done – either a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point or a Service and Support Centre (SSC).

Applying for a BRP from within the UK

If you’re applying from within the UK, you’ll go to either a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point , a service and support centre or a post office branch. There will be a fee of £19.20.

If you are making a visa application from inside the UK, your BRP will be sent to the postal address you gave in your application form, where you will not be required to collect it. Your BRP should arrive within 10 working days of getting your Home Office decision letter saying that you can stay in the UK. However, it may take longer for your BRP to arrive if this is being delivered to either the Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly or the Scottish Highlands or islands. You will get a text and/or email from the delivery company (TNT) notifying you when your BRP is due to arrive and how to change the delivery date/time.

Someone aged 18 or over must be present at the delivery address to receive your BRP, where they will need proof of their identity, such as a driving licence or passport.

Applying for a BRP from overseas (outside the UK)

If you are applying for a visa from outside the UK, where enrolling your biometric information again forms part of that application process, you will be asked to enrol your biometrics at an overseas VIsa Application Centre (VAC).

Having provided your biometrics at a VAC, you will be required to collect your BRP once your are in the UK. You must usually do this before expiry of the vignette sticker in your travel document or within 10 days of arriving the UK, whichever is later.

You should check your decision letter, where this will tell you to collect your BRP from a named Post Office branch or your sponsor, if you chose this option. When collecting your BRP, you will need to bring in your passport with your vignette sticker. You will get your sticker when your visa application is approved. You can opt to pick up your BRP from a different branch, but you will need to arrange this at the Post Office branch you want to use and pay a fee, provided the branch you want to use offers a BRP collection service.

You can nominate somebody else to collect your BRP, but only if you have a serious illness or disability preventing you from collecting it in person, where the Home Office may email you for evidence of this, such as a doctor’s letter. Your nominated person will not be allowed to collect your BRP if you cannot show proof if asked. The nominated person collecting your BRP must also provide your passport to show that you have entered the UK. Having nominated a person using the online link at GOV.UK, you will be notified within 5 working days if that person has been approved to collect your BRP.

You must be nominated to collect a child’s BRP, even if you are the child’s parent or legal guardian, unless you are named on their vignette sticker and also collecting your own BRP at the same time. Having made an online request to collect their BRP, where needed, the Home Office will tell you within 5 working days if you have been approved to do this.

How much does a BRP cost?

In addition to your visa application fee, it costs £19.20 to give your biometrics or to re-use this information if you have provided it before. You will be told if you need to pay this fee when you apply to extend your stay or to switch to a different visa from within the UK.

If you apply for a visa from outside the UK, the cost of enrolling your biometrics at a VAC appointment will be included in your visa application fee.

How long are BRPs valid for?

BRPs were previously valid for the duration of a person’s limited leave, or for up to a maximum of 10 years, or 5 years if under 16. However, BRPs are being incrementally replaced, where the Home Office aims to phase out physical documents before the end of 2024. For this reason, all newly issued BRPs expire no later than 31 December 2024.

After this date, instead of a visa applicant being given a physical BRP, a vignette containing a facial image will be issued in the form of an eVisa.

Why does my BRP say December 2024 expiry for my BRP – my permission is longer than this?

BRPs have been endorsed with an expiry date of 31 December 2024 for some time now, even where the individual’s permission to enter or remain in the UK has been granted beyond this date. This is because those with a BRP now have digital status. From 1 January 2025, you will be able to prove your UK immigration status online, without needing a BRP.

If you have a BRP with an expiry date of 31 December 2024, your rights and entitlements are unaffected if you have permission to stay in the UK that ends after that date, and you do not need to tell the Home Office if your BRP expires on that date.

Do children need to provide biometric information?

Applicants under the age of 18 are still required to provide biometric information, although the nature of this information will depend on their age bracket. Further, any child under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone aged 18 or over who has legal responsibility for them.

Under 16’s will be required to provide a scan of their fingerprints and a photograph of their face, but they will not need to give a signature. If the child is under the age of 6 they will not need to give their fingerprints either.

For those aged 16 and over, they will need to provide the same biometric information as an adult, namely a scan of their fingerprints, a digital photograph of their face and a signature.  

How long does it take to process a biometric residence permit?

How you get your biometric residence permit will depend on where you made your visa or immigration application. If you applied from inside the UK, your permit will be sent to you by courier, to the address you gave in your application, within 7 to 10 days of getting your decision letter from the Home Office saying that you can remain in the UK.

If you applied from outside the UK, you will need to collect your biometric residence permit once you are in the UK. You must do this before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires, or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.

You will be told in your decision letter where to collect the permit from, either a named post office branch, or your sponsor, if you chose this option when you applied. You may be liable to a fine if you fail to collect your permit within the permitted timeframe.

You must be aged 18 or over to collect a biometric residence permit. You must also be nominated to collect a child’s permit, even if you’re the child’s parent.

What happens if my BRP card has not arrived?

You should contact TNT, the delivery company, if your BRP has not arrived within 10 working days of receiving your Home Office decision letter. You will need the postcode of the address you gave in your visa application and the 9-number consignment number that can be found in emails from TNT and the Home Office BRP courier team.

If you missed the BRP delivery, you should contact TNT to arrange re-delivery within 30 days or it will be returned to the Home Office. However, if you have not got a consignment number, TNT is unable to help with your query or it has been more than 30 days since missing the delivery, you will need to tell the Home Office that your BRP has not arrived. If your BRP is being delivered to the Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, or the Scottish Highlands or islands, your delivery will be arranged by TNT but carried out by Royal Mail. To track your BRP delivery, contact TNT to get the Royal Mail tracking number.

You can contact the Home Office about your BRP if your decision letter saying that you can remain in the UK arrived more than 10 working days ago. However, you should only contact the Home Office if any of the following apply:

• you have not got a consignment number to track your delivery with the delivery company
• you have already contacted the delivery company and they were not able to help you
• you missed the delivery of your BRP more than 30 days ago.

You can contact the Home Office using its online form. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth and nationality, together with an email or postal address. You will also need your decision letter. The Home Office will email you to advise you on what to do next, where you will usually get a response within 5 working days, although this will take longer if you do not give an email address. You must not use this service if delivery has been attempted and you were left a card, or sent a text message or email. In these circumstances, you should contact the delivery company to rearrange delivery.

What do you need to do if your BRP is expiring?

The way in which you replace an expired BRP will depend on whether you are in the UK and what type of leave you have. If you have indefinite leave to be in the UK, you can use the BRP replacement service from within the UK, where you will usually get a decision on your application and sent a replacement BRP within 6 months of applying online.

If your visa is about to expire, you cannot use the BRP replacement service. You will need to apply to extend your visa or apply for a new visa instead. If approved, you will automatically get a new BRP. If you are applying to extend your stay or switch to another visa route, you must be in the UK to re-enrol your biometric information, although you may be told that your previously enrolled biometrics can be re-used.

If you are outside the UK, you cannot apply for a replacement BRP if it expires overseas. Instead, you will need to apply for a replacement BRP visa which will let you re-enter the UK only once. You will need to prove your identity at a VAC to complete your application, where you will usually get a decision on your application within 3 weeks. If your application is approved, your BRP will be sent to you with your decision letter. You can apply for a replacement BRP within 3 months of its expiry on your return, unless you have a good reason, for example, you were unable to return to the UK within that timeframe.

How do I renew or replace a biometric residence permit?

Once you receive your biometric residence permit, if there is a mistake in the length or conditions of your visa and you made your application from within the UK you can ask for an administrative review.

You can also report other problems online, for example, if your permit was damaged when it arrived or your name contains a spelling mistake. You will need to report any problems within 10 days, otherwise you may have to pay for a replacement. You must also report changes to any personal details.

If your biometric residence permit is lost or stolen, and it was valid for 3 or more months, you are again legally obligated to report this and to apply for a replacement from within the UK. You can face a financial penalty and be made to leave the UK if you do not apply for a replacement within a period of 3 months.

If your permit was valid for 3 months or less, you must still report it as lost or stolen, even if you do not intend to remain in the UK after its expiry date. Alternatively, if you plan to leave and re-enter the UK within 3 months of its expiry date you can apply for a replacement, or apply to extend your visa if you want to stay in the UK after its expiry date. If granted, you will automatically be provided with a new permit.

If your biometric residence permit is lost while you are outside the UK, you must still report this, but you will need to apply for a “replacement BRP visa”, which lets you re-enter the UK once only at a cost of £154. You can then apply for a replacement permit when you return to the UK.

How do you change address on your BRP?

If you have applied for a visa from inside the UK and want your BRP to be sent to a different postal address than the one you gave in your application, you will need to update your address details. If you do not have your decision letter yet, you will need to let the Home Office know that your address has changed. If your decision letter has already arrived, you will additionally need to tell the delivery company (TNT) that your address has changed, where you will get an email or text from TNT explaining how to do this.

As a BRP may take longer to arrive following a change of address, you must tell the Home Office and TNT as soon as your address changes. If your BRP is delivered to the wrong address because you did not update it, you will need to report a problem with your BRP.

Can you use your BRP to prove your right to work?

No, BRPs have been removed from the list of acceptable documents used by employers to conduct a manual right to work check, although a retrospective check will not be required if you used a physical document to demonstrate your right to work before 6 April 2022.

Instead of the BRP, to prove the right to work, you will need to use the Home Office online service.

Biometric residence permit FAQs

The biometric residence permit is a card issued to foreign nationals in the UK as proof of their identity, immigration status and any rights to work, study or access public funds while in the UK. It is a physical card, similar in size to a standard credit card,

How long is a biometric residence permit valid for?

A BRP is valid for the duration of the individual's leave to remain in the UK, or for a maximum of 10 years.

How much does it cost to replace a biometric card?

A replacement BRP card should be ordered on the .gov website and costs £56, plus £19.20 to re-enrol the biometric information, if required.

Last updated: 2 January 2024

Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.

She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.

Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator , and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals

• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Government Responds to MAC Review into Graduate Route
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• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Updated Absence Rule for EU Settled and Pre Settled Status Holders
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Legal Disclaimer

The matters contained in this article are intended to be for general information purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law, and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct at the time of writing, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should be sought.

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• Information

Biometric Residence Permit

Find out more about how to collect your Biometric Residence Permit, what information is included on your BRP, and what to do if you lose it.

On this page you will find more information about:

90 day entry vignette

• What are Biometric Residence Permits? 
• Collecting your BRP from UCL

Collecting your BRP from the Post Office

Information for under 18s.

• Travel information and eGates
• Checking the information on your BRP
• What to do if you lose your BRP or passport

Once your Student visa application has been processed and approved you will receive a temporary visa sticker (vignette) in your passport. 

Please check that the details on this visa are correct. You will need to pay attention to the following:

• The start and end dates of your visa
• Your working rights
• The UCL licence number - X3W1RGWT9
• your name and details

If there are any errors it is advisable to have these amended before entering the UK.

What are Biometric Residence Permits?

The temporary visa in your passport is valid for 90 days only from the date you wish to enter the UK. Once you enter the UK you will be required to collect your full visa, your BRP, within 10 days of arrival (except where there are covid-19 measures in place). You can find more information about this on the UKVI website .   Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) are secure ID cards that contain personal details and biometric information for those who have applied for permission to come to the UK for more than 6 months. The BRP is your visa and is valid for the length of your programme at UCL.

If you are enrolling on a programme of less than 6 months, you will not be required to collect a BRP and can proceed to enrol with the visa in your passport.

Collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from UCL

UCL is currently running a face-to-face BRP collection service. General information on how to obtain your BRP can be found here .

If you have asked for your BRP to be delivered to UCL, you will receive an email once your BRP has arrived. This will include details of how you can collect it.

After you have travelled to the UK, you would normally be required to collect your BRP within 10 days of arrival.  However please note you will not be penalised for being unable collect your BRP while coronavirus measures are in place.  This process will remain in place until further notice.

If you have asked for your dependant(s) BRP(s) to be sent to UCL, please contact the Student Immigration Compliance Team  so we can arrange for the BRP(s) to be sent you.

If you decided not to use UCL’s BRP Alternative Collection Location code, your BRP will be sent to the Post Office nearest to your UK address and details of this will be provided on your UKVI decision letter.  Please see further information below.

If you have any questions, please contact the Student Immigration Compliance Team via  askUCL .

If you did not use the specific UCL ACL code in your visa application, your BRP will be sent to a designated Post Office. Along with your 90-day Travel Vignette (sticker in your passport), uou will receive a decision letter from UKVI which will confirm details of the Post Office where you will need to collect your BRP.

Please note UCL will not contact you when your BRP is available for collection from the Post Office and you will need to make arrangements to collect this yourself.  After you have travelled to the UK, you would normally be required to collect your BRP within 10 days of arrival.  However please note you will not be penalised for being unable collect your BRP (for example because you are required to self-isolate) while coronavirus measures are in place.  This process will remain in place until further notice.

You will need to take your passport and UKVI decision letter with you to collect this. It may be that there are long queuing times at Post Offices so please ensure that you leave yourself plenty of time to do this and that you bring everything you need with you.

If you are under 18, we strongly suggest that you use UCL’s ACL code (2HE484) in your visa application so that we can arrange for your BRP to be sent to your UK address. If you choose to collect your BRP from the Post Office, you will need to make arrangements to be accompanied by a responsible adult who has been approved by the Home Office in advance.

If you have a guardian in the UK who is able to collect the BRP on your behalf then you must register their details at https://www.biometric-residence-permit.service.gov.uk/someone-else/arrange and provide the following information:

• Your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, a contact number and case reference number
• The responsible adults’ full name, date of birth, nationality, identity document and reference number, their email address and explanation of how the responsible adult is related to you.

If approved by the Home Office, both you and the responsible adult with receive an authorisation email. This email will need to be presented to the Post Office when collecting the BRP.

If you do not have a guardian in the UK who will be able to accompany you to collect your BRP, Home Office approved staff at UCL are able to accompany you to collect the BRP. In these circumstances, you will need to contact the Student Immigration Compliance Team with your full name, UCL student number and date of birth and indicate that you wish for UCL to accompany you to the Post Office.

Travel information and eGates

We advise you not to book any non-urgent travel before you have collected your BRP. If you intend to travel outside of the UK before you collect your BRP, please contact the Student Immigration Compliance Team .

If you are a national of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the USA and you enter the UK via an eGate at the airport, you will not receive an entry stamp in your passport.  As such, you will be required to provide evidence of the date you entered the UK upon collection of your BRP.  Sufficient evidence includes your boarding pass, flight confirmation or flight ticket.  Please ensure you do not enter the UK before the start date of your 90 day Travel Vignette. 

Information on your BRP

When you collect your BRP you should check to make sure the information is correct:

If you applied for your visa outside the UK, it will say Leave to Enter. If you applied for your visa inside the UK, it will say Leave to Remain. 

BRP expiry date of 31 December 2024 

If you have received a BRP with an expiry date of 31 December 2024, but you know your leave has been granted beyond this date, you do not need to report this as an error . This means that you do not need to tell UKVI if your BRP expires on 31 December 2024 but your immigration status (for example, your visa) allows you to stay longer. The remainder of your immigration status that is not covered by your BRP will be evidenced as digital immigration status. 

Throughout 2024,  the government will gradually replace physical immigration documents (BRP, BRC or visa vignette in your passport) with digital proof of immigration status . As their approach is staggered, you may not have been contacted about the process yet. Once  you are invited by the Home Office to create a UKVI account or take any other action to transfer your current visa to a digital immigration status, you must take the steps outlined in the email from the UKVI at your earliest convenience. Only BRP holders who receive an email invitation need to take action at this stage.

If you have not yet been contacted by the Home Office , y ou do not need to do anything and your immigration status will not be affected.  Please just await further information and refer to the UKVI’s eVisa webpage  for regular updates.  

Please contact us if you find any other error with your BRP or have any questions about your BRP.

Lost or stolen BRP

If your passport and/or BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) card is lost or stolen, follow the steps below according to your situation, and contact the Student Immigration Advice Team if you have any issues.

The steps you have to take depend on whether your passport and/or BRP is lost/stolen in the UK or while you are travelling abroad.

BRP lost/stolen/damaged outside the UK

Please note you are not able to obtain a new BRP card from outside the UK. You must apply for a single entry visa and then apply for a replacement BRP card once you arrive back the UK.

(1) Report the lost or stolen card to UKVI via their online webform  Report online

(2) Obtain evidence, such as a police report, of loss or theft (if relevant)

(3) Apply online for a Single-entry visa to replace a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)  - you will need this to re-enter the country. The fee is £19

If you have lost your passport you must obtain a new passport before you apply for a single-entry visa. You will need to contact your local embassy to get an emergency passport or a new passport issued before you travel.

You must not try to travel with a photocopy of your passport and/or BRP.  The Border Force officers will not permit you entry to the UK without an original passport and/or BRP.

(4) For 'category of application', select 'A replacement biometric residence permit (BRP) visa'.

You do not need to provide a CAS please upload a copy of your statement of student status with your documents- you can access this via Portico.

You may need to submit a TB test result with your application – please see information on the following webpage as to when a TB test is required. https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa

Once you have used the single-entry visa to replace the BRP to enter the UK, you will need to apply within 1 month of your return to the UK for a replacement BRP (see below and follow the process for BRP lost/stolen/damaged inside the UK).

If you are not planning to return to the UK during the period of permission evidenced by the lost BRP, or you plan to return to the UK in a different category of immigration permission, you must still report the loss/theft. You most likely will not need to apply for a replacement BRP in this circumstance but please contact the visa advice team via ASK UCL for further guidance

Please see our detailed guide to replacing your BRP when you are outside the UK : Guide to replacing your BRP when you are outside the UK

BRP lost/stolen/damaged inside the UK

If your BRP was valid for three months or more

(1) Report online

(2) Obtain evidence, eg police report, of loss or theft (if relevant) you can find more information about making a police report via the following webpage- https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-the-police/report-a-crime-incident/

If you have lost the BRP you can report the loss via the following page - https://www.reportmyloss.com/uk/

(3) Apply for a replacement BRP – You will submit the application online

You must apply for a replacement if you have more than three months' permission remaining. If you do not do this you may receive a fine, have your permission cancelled, and/or any future immigration applications you make to come to the UK may be affected.

If you have less than three months' permission remaining:

• apply for further immigration permission, if you are eligible; or
• leave the UK before your permission expires.

If the BRP was valid for less than three months you do not have to replace it but you should still report the loss. As above, see the  gov.uk info for if your BRP is lost or stolen .

If your BRP replacement application is still being processed and your:

• BRP is about to expire and you need to apply for a new visa inside the UK please contact the visa advice team via askUCL  for guidance
• BRP is about to expire and you want to leave the country before your visa expires – please contact the visa advice team via askUCL  for guidance.
• You need to leave the UK urgently but you have not received a decision on your BRP replacement application – please contact the visa advice team for guidance via askUCL

An alternative option for those with imminent travel plans, is to travel overseas and apply for a  Single-entry visa to replace a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) . For 'Confirm your visa type', select 'BRP Vignette transfer' and then follow the steps in  BRP lost/stolen/damaged outside the UK .

Once you have used the single-entry visa to replace the BRP to enter the UK, you will need to apply within 1 month of your return to the UK for a  replacement BRP  as detailed above.

Please find a detailed guide on how to replace your BRP card inside the UK here:  Guide to replacing your BRP card inside the UK

Final step - upload copies of the front and back of your new BRP to the Visa and ID upload function on your Portico homepage.

If applicable, you must also update UK Visas & Immigration with your new passport details by filling in a  Migrant Change of Circumstances form.  If you are also required to  register with the police , you must take your new passport and/or BRP to the police to update your Police Registration Certificate.

• News & Blog

What happens if I lose my BRP while I am outside the UK?

If your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) is lost whilst you are overseas, you should not travel to the UK until you have applied for and obtained a temporary entry vignette.

This is the case even if you hold a non-visa national passport.  

Applying for a temporary entry vignette requires you to submit the relevant online application form, pay the official application fee and, thereafter, attend your nearest visa application centre to provide your biometrics.

Temporary entry vignette applications usually take between 15-20 working days to process. Priority services may be available in certain countries for an additional fee to reduce processing times.

Once you have obtained your temporary entry vignette, you must travel to the UK within its validity period and, thereafter, apply to renew your BRP from within the UK.

The temporary entry vignette is for single use only and, therefore, you will only be able to travel again once you have obtained your renewed BRP.

If you hold ILR, renewing a BRP can take up to 6 months. If you do not hold ILR, renewing a BRP can take up to 2 months.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in dealing with all aspects of BRP applications. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to  contact us  for advice, send us an  e-mail , or, alternatively, follow us on  Twitter ,  Facebook , or  LinkedIn  to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

© Gherson  2022

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Which Countries Can I Visit with UK Residence Permit without Visa?

Visa-free travel refers to entering a country without applying for a visa due to agreements between your home country and other countries and regions, which aims to simplify the procedures of crossing borders and personnel exchanges. For example, UK citizens can visit almost anywhere without visas. The good news is that some UK residents enjoy similar privileges. If you have a UK residence permit, you might wonder “ Which countries can I visit with UK residence permit without visa ?” In this passage, we will find out the answer.

BRP vs. Residence Card vs. ILR

A UK residence permit is an immigration authorization that guarantees an individual can legally live, work, access certain public benefits and even settle down in the country but with nationalities of other countries. Here are some common types.

Biometric Resident Permit

BRP is issued to those who:

• apply to enter the UK for more than 6 months, or
• extend their visa for over 6 months, or
• intend to settle in the UK, or
• transfer their visa to another passport, or
• apply for travel documents from the Home Office.

This plastic card is usually valid for 10 years. There is a chip on it that is used to prevent identity theft and misuse.

UK Residence Card

It is known as a European Economic Area (EEA) biometric residence card (BRC), but it is no longer available since Brexit. EU citizens have to obtain other types of permission to continue staying in the UK, such as EU Settlement Scheme.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

ILR is also called a UK permanent residence permit, allowing the holder to live, work, study and engage in business activities in the UK without restriction of stay and visa extension. It is issued to those who:

• have been legally staying in the country for a qualifying period, or
• have family (spouse, partner, parent, child, or other relatives) in the UK, or
• are a Commonwealth citizen, or
• are a refugee or enjoy humanitarian protection or Discretionary Leave
• are coming back to the UK with a previous ILR
• served in the armed forces

🔎👉 Read Also:

UK Passport Visa Free Countries 2024

What Countries Can I Visit Visa Free with UK ILR

Which Countries Can I Visit with UK Residence Permit Without Visa

The visa-free policy for UK residence permit holders covers a variety of countries and regions. In this section, we will talk about eligibility, entry rules, duration of stay, etc. Please note that we mainly focus on visa-free travel for ordinary passport holders who travel internationally for non-gainful purposes.

Europe is one of the most popular travel destinations for travelers from all over the world. Britain has reached an agreement with the European Union (EU) to allow its citizens and residents to have a short visit without a visa. The purpose of travel and length of stay might vary from country to country.

Travelers of all nationalities are eligible to enter Albania as long as they present a passport valid for at least 3 months and a valid, multiple-entry UK visa stamped on the passport or a separate valid UK resident permit. Please don’t stay over 90 days during a 6-month period.

Foreign visitors can take a visa-free travel to Armenia with passports issued by the countries listed in the table and a valid, multiple-entry UK visa or valid UK resident permit. The passport must be valid for at least 90 days or during your stay in Armenia which should not exceed 180 days in a year.

People of all nationalities are allowed to enter this country without a visit and stay for 90 days within a 180-day period when showing a valid, multiple-entry UK visa on their passports or a valid UK resident permit. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months and has at least 2 blank pages at the time of entry.

● Gibraltar

International visitors with a valid, multiple-entry UK visa issued for at least 6 months or a valid UK resident permit issued for at least 12 months are exempt from applying for a visa to enter Gibraltar regardless of their nationalities. The visa-free duration of stay should be less than 180 days.

● Montenegro

All nationals around the world enjoy a 30-day vasa-waiver stay in Montenegro with a valid, multiple-entry UK visa or valid UK resident permit and a passport valid for no less than 3 months.

● North Macedonia

Valid, multiple-entry UK visa, UK BRP or UK ILR holders can stay in North Macedonia for 15 days without an extra visa. The validity of the UK visa or residence permit must be 5 days longer than the expected period of stay in North Macedonia. Make sure your passport does not expire in 3 months when you arrive.

North America

UK permanent residence permit (ILR) holders and valid/unexpired UK visa holders can travel to Mexico without a Mexican visa despite their nationalities. Permitted visa-free stay does not exceed 180 days. The authority might request foreign visitors to show proof of the intended duration of stay and purpose of travel, such as onward or returning air ticket, and travel itinerary.

Central America

People of any nationality with a valid used multiple-entry UK visa or UK residence permit can visit the Republic of Panama and stay for a maximum of 30 days. Here are some extra entry rules.

• A UK visa or permit must have been used to visit UK before entering Panama.
• The UK visa or permit must be valid for at least 6 months upon arrival.
• The passport must be valid for at least 3 months upon arrival.
• Proof of financial support of USD 500 is required.

Caribbean Areas

As a British Overseas Territory, it does not require an extra visa for British nationals, residents and already in possession of a UK visa. These visitors will be granted a 3-month stay. If you go there for any form of employment, a work permit is a must.

Holders of a valid temporary or permanent residence permit (all nationalities) from the United Kingdom and Bolivian, Chinese, Cuban, Dominican, Haitian, Indian, Jamaican, and Peruvian nationals with a valid multi-entry UK visa are exempted from Aruba visas. The maximum period of stay as tourists should not be over 30 days. The passport or other travel documents must be valid at arrival and during your stay in Aruba.

It is a British overseas territory, allowing all nationals with valid multiple-entry visas, ILR, BRP to enter without an additional visa. The duration of stay should not exceed 30 days. At the date of leaving Bermuda, the passport and UK visa or residence permit must have 45 days of validity.

Holders of a valid residence permit for the United Kingdom are exempted from the visa requirement. The length of stay is usually 14-30 days. On the date of entering Bonaire, your passport must be valid for at least six months.

● Cayman Islands

As a British territory, it welcomes travelers with a valid ILR or BRP and a passport issued by China, India and Jamaica to take a 30-day visa-free trip. You must arrive from the UK instead of from a third country. 

Foreign nationals of all nationalities and legal UK residents can stay in Curacao for 90 days without a visa. You must present a passport and a valid UK visa, ILR or BRP to prove your citizenship and residency.

● Dominican Republic

Multiple-entry UK visa and UK residence permit holders are permitted to enter Dominica and stay for 90 days without visas regardless of nationality. A Tourist Card and passport with at least 6 months of validity is required. If you travel by land or sea, you should pay extra fees to purchase the card.

● Sint Maarten

UK residence permit holders (either temporary or permanent) are granted a 30-day trip without a visa. Make sure your BRP or ILR is valid for at least 30 days upon arrival.

● Turks and Caicos 

This British territory is open to UK multiple-entry visa holders and UK long-term or permanent residents. If you are eligible, you can stay for 90 days at most.

South America

According to Peru entry requirements, if you are a Chinese or Indian national with a valid multiple-entry UK visa or UK permanent resident card (ILR), you can enter the country without a visa and stay for 180 days. Make sure your UK visa or ILR is valid for 6 months or longer from the date of arrival.

● Philippines

India nationals with a valid multiple-entry UK visa, ILR or BRP are not required to apply for a visa to visit the Philippines, but you cannot stay for more than 14 days. The officer will check whether all travel documents are valid during your stay and whether your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure.

● Singapore

As a popular tourist destination, Singapore welcomes UK temporary and permanent residents with Chinese and Indian nationality to enter and stay for no more than 96 hours (4 days) without a visa, but you must be arriving from or returning to your country of passport.

● South Korea

Transit passengers with UK residency can enter the country without a visa and stay for 30 days. They must be arriving from 26 Schengen countries, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania or UK or arriving in one of these 30 European countries after leaving South Korea. Please note that nationals of the following 24 countries are not eligible for this policy.

● Taiwan, China

All ILR or BRP (valid/expired) holders with nationalities of Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam are eligible to stay in Taiwan for 14 days with a visa, but you have to apply for ROC Travel Authorization Certificate online before arrival, which is free of charge and valid for multiple entries in 90 days.

Q: Can I travel to Europe with UK BRP?

A: Yes. It acts as proof of immigration status in the UK and carries essential personal information, but make sure to use it along with a valid passport.

Q: Do UK BRP holders need Schengen visa?

A: It depends on your country of citizenship. If you are from a visa-required country and legally live in the UK, you can apply for a Schengen visa from UK as long as your UK residence permit is valid.

Q: Am I UK resident with BRP?

A: Yes, a BRP holder is a temporary resident in the UK.

Q: Why is my UK BRP expiring in Dec 2024

A: The Home Office is planning to grant digital immigration status to residents before the end of 2024. That is to say, there will be no physical BRP cards starting from 2025.

Q: Can I Travel to USA with BRP?

A visa is required to enter the USA unless you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. Plus, a biometric residence permit is not a travel document on its own and you need to show it alongside a passport.

Q: Which countries can I visit with UK student visa?

There are 30 countries you can travel with UK student visa, including Albania, Anguilla, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Ireland, Moldova, Serbia, which allows you to stay up to 90 days. You can enter Aruba, Bahamas, Belarus, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Curacao, Jamaica, Montenegro, Panama for no more than 30 days. While Peru allows you to stay for no more than 180 days.

Q: Which countries can I visit with uk visa on Pakistani passport?

There are 5 countries you can visit visa-free when you have a valid UK visa on Pakistani passport, including Albania, Turkey, Georgia, Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

After reading this passage, you must have found the answer to the question – which countries can I visit with UK residence permit without visa. UK resident permit includes a BRP (biometric resident permit) and ILR (permanent residence permit). With this permit, one can travel to 22 countries and territories without visas, but you have to use it along with a valid passport or other required travel documents. The entry requirements and duration of stay might vary from country to country. When it comes to “which countries can I visit with UK BRP”, most of the countries above are eligible for BRP holders, except Mexico.

Related Posts:

What Is a BRP and How to Apply for It

Does Indefinite Leave to Remain(ILR) in UK Expire

By Dolores Xiao

I am a content creator and marketer with over 5 years of professional writing experience. I hold a bachelor's degree in communications and have a natural curiosity about technology, as evidenced by my technology blog. As an avid traveler, I draw upon adventures in over 10 countries to inject unique cultural perspectives into my articles and social media campaigns. I thrive on developing engaging content that informs and inspires audiences.

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Travel outside of the UK on a Student Visa

If you're a student in the UK on a Student Visa or a Tier 4 visa, it's important to be aware of certain information before travelling abroad as there may be limitations or additional visas that you need to obtain.

Travelling during your course

You should not miss any classes because of travel. Your attendance is monitored, and absences may affect your Student Visa. The CAS you were given to apply for a Student Visa will describe to the Home Office (UKVI) your course start date and end date. During this time you are expected to be in the UK and attending this course with the exception of short trips during the weekend and travel outside term time (during vacations).

Term time is described on the University website . 

The University will monitor attendance during term time. Term time is different for different groups.

Undergraduate Students will have a vacation during Christmas, Easter and Summer.

Master’s students will normally have a vacation during Christmas and Easter, but not during the Summer. Dissertation write up periods are an important part of a course and students with a student visa that covers the dissertation write up period are still in term time. A Student Visa is issued to cover the initial dissertation period. If you want to travel outside the UK for extended periods during your dissertation period then you may want to consider completing remotely and without a student visa. The University can report that you have left the UK and this will lead to a cancellation of your student visa (you would not be eligible for the Graduate Route Visa if your student visa is cancelled). You should always check you are able to complete your course remotely with your Registry via the Student Centre before deciding that you do not want to continue your course with a student visa.

PhD students will have a vacation during Christmas and Easter as well as a period of 35 days when on a formally agreed vacation as described in the Graduate handbook.

If you want to retain your student visa, you should not leave the UK for extended periods during term time which includes the dissertation write up period. You should also be aware that absences from the UK may affect eligibility for the Graduate Route visa which has a ‘Study in the UK’ requirement.

If you need to travel urgently during term time, please speak to your personal tutor, and the Visa Compliance team at  [email protected] , about the absence. The Visa Compliance Team can approve an absence from your course where this absence is unavoidable. You will be expected to explain the reasons for this absence. Each absence request will be looked at on a case-by-case basis. Where an absence will impact your progression on your course you may need to consider formally interrupting your studies.

If you are taking a work placement or a Study Abroad period outside the UK which is an assessed part of your course, then the rules are different, and the University will report your period outside the UK to the UKVI. This type of absence from the UK is organised via the GoAbroad Department or Work placement Team.

The UKVI require that students attending their course are in the UK with a student visa and there is not an option to take a course online from outside the UK.

Travelling in and out of the UK&

You may need a Schengen visa to visit other countries in Europe. Read more about Schengen visas . You can also obtain a Schengen visa letter to support your application for this visa through ‘ My Self-Service ’.

Please take very great care of your passport and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) while you are travelling. Each year many students are pick-pocketed or lose their BRP when travelling. You will not be able to travel back to the UK until you have a replacement passport and then apply for a ‘replacement BRP’ visa to allow you to re-enter the UK. The new visa takes time and costs £154. Meanwhile you will be stuck outside the UK and this may affect your course attendance. Once you get back to the UK you will need to apply for a new BRP card within 1 month of your return and have to pay a fee for this application. This also takes time.

Read about what to do if you lose your BRP .

If you have applied for a Student Visa in the UK and are waiting for a decision, you cannot travel outside the UK or your Student Visa will be cancelled.

Travelling after the end of your course

If you will be travelling out of the UK after your course has ended you will be travelling in the period at the end of your Student Visa now known as your post-study period (previously called a wrap-up period).

Most students on a degree course that lasts longer than 12 months will have a student visa which expires 4 months after their course end date.

Your official course end date will have been given in your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) when you applied for your Student Visa.

It was previously confirmed in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance that once your sponsor has confirmed your studies are complete you enter the post-study period and can ‘enter and leave the UK’ during this time. Although this guidance has not been added to the new Student Policy Guidance the Home Office has confirmed that the advice remains the same.

However, you must be aware that if you do travel during your post-study period, on your return to the UK Border Force Officials may ask you questions about what you will be doing in the UK and how long you will remain in the UK.

If you are questioned, you must be clear that you have returned to the UK to complete one of the following activities as detailed in the policy guidance.

• Work full-time in the UK, if your conditions of leave permit you to work and your course has ended
• Study in the UK
• Study-related activities including graduation
• Visit areas in the UK
• Apply to remain in the UK under an appropriate alternative route (eg Graduate Immigration Route, or Skilled Worker route)

You should be prepared to show evidence that you will be completing one of the above activities and that you intend to leave the UK before your Student Visa expires or apply for another relevant type of visa in the UK. If you will be applying for another visa you may be asked to provide appropriate documentation which demonstrates that you are able to apply for this visa.

If not applying for another visa, you should also carry evidence that you will be leaving the UK before your Student Visa expires eg a plane ticket, if you have it.

The Border Force officer should allow you to return to the UK whilst you have a valid Student Visa but can refuse entry if they feel you are not returning for a reason listed above.

If you intend to apply for the Graduate route visa you should be aware of the ‘Study in the UK’ rules. Periods outside the UK can affect eligibility for the Graduate Route visa. Learn more about Eligibility for the Graduate Route visa and the Study in the UK rules on our website .

Related Pages

Your country.

Entry requirements, visits and the representatives available for your country.

Contact the University of Westminster about international study.

New student checklist

Find out what to do before you arrive at the University.

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Can I travel outside UK as my current BRP expires in 45days

Moderators: Casa , Amber , archigabe , batleykhan , ca.funke , ChetanOjha , EUsmileWEallsmile , JAJ , John , Obie , push , geriatrix , vinny , CR001 , zimba , meself2 , Administrator

Post by Sam J K » Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:54 pm

Re: Can I travel outside UK as my current BRP expires in 45days

Post by secret.simon » Fri Jul 31, 2020 7:15 pm

Post by Sam J K » Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:21 pm

secret.simon wrote: ↑ Fri Jul 31, 2020 7:15 pm Given the suddenness with which restrictions on travel can be imposed, by multiple countries (or even subnational entities), and given how absences from the UK can impact at various parts of the immigration process, I think it would be wiser to avoid all but very essential travel outside the UK at this stage.

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• Entering and staying in the UK
• Travel and identity documents for foreign nationals
• Biometric residence permits: applicant and sponsor information
• UK Visas and Immigration

Biometric residence permits: general information for applicants, employers and sponsors (accessible version)

Updated 7 February 2022

© Crown copyright 2022

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/biometric-residence-permits-applicant-and-sponsor-information/biometric-residence-permits-general-information-for-applicants-employers-and-sponsors-accessible-version

Guidance notes

Biometric residence permits (BRPs) and biometric residence cards (BRCs): General information for completion of Knowing Your Customer (KYC) checks.

September 2018

When making an application for a UK bank account, customers may provide proof of identity from a range of options that include:

• current EU/EEA passport, photo driving licence or identity card
• all other current signed passports, with a valid UK Visa where applicable
• Home Office Immigration Status Document accompanied by proof of right to reside
• biometric residence permit (BRP) or biometric residence card (BRC)

This guidance offers information to account providers about BRPs and BRCs.

What are biometric residence permits and biometric residence cards?

The BRP and BRC hold a customer’s biographic details (name, date and place of birth) and biometric information (facial image and fingerprints), and shows their immigration status and entitlements while they remain in the UK. BRPs are titled ‘Residence Permit’ or ‘Short Stay Permit’ and BRCs are titled ‘Residence Card’, ‘Permanent Residence Card’ or ‘Derivative Residence Card’.

Who may apply?

Foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area making certain applications to the Home Office have to apply for a BRP.

Foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area who are able to live and work in the UK based on rights derived from EU law may apply for a BRC.

Successful applicants receive a biometric residence permit as evidence of their status in the United Kingdom.

How can a BRP or BRC be used?

BRPs and BRCs are evidence of the holder’s right to stay in the United Kingdom, and show the conditions of a customer’s stay. It enables him/her to confirm his/her identity as part of the process for opening a bank account in the UK and rights to study and/or work here, and to access public services. For some immigration categories, the National Insurance Number will appear in the remarks on the reverse of the document.

Some foreign nationals, such as refugees, will only hold a BRP as evidence of their identity and status in the UK and will not be able to produce any other form of identity document. Others will have alternative forms of ID – for example, a passport or national identity card.

Biometric residence permits near to the end date?

If a customer has limited leave to enter or remain and wishes to remain in the United Kingdom, he/she will need to make a further application to the Home Office before the leave expires.

Design of the biometric residence permit

The biometric residence permit is a standard credit card size (86mm x 54mm) and looks similar to those issued by some other EU countries. The permit is made from polycarbonate and contains a chip to make it more secure against forgery and abuse.

Holder’s digital image

Holder’s name

Valid until – the date the permit expires. This date is at the end of the time the holder is allowed to stay; or five or 10 years if the holder has been given permission to settle in the UK (known as indefinite leave to remain)

Place and date of issue – this is the UK followed by the date the permit was issued

Type of permit – this is the immigration category the holder is in (for example, STUDENT)

Remarks – these are the immigration entitlements for the length of the holder’s stay, and may continue on the back of the permit

ZW9005196 – unique permit number

Holder’s signature

9. Biometric chip

10. Holder’s gender

11. Holder’s date and place of birth

12. Holder’s nationality

13. Remarks – this is a continuation of immigration entitlements for the length of time of the holder’s stay (see 6 above). In appropriate cases, the National Insurance Number will appear here.

14. Machine readable zone (MRZ) – this area allows information printed on the permit to be read quickly by machine.

Checking the BRP or BRC

The following advice sets out how you can manually check a BRP or a BRC. If a customer provides a BRP or a BRC as proof of identity, you must take reasonable steps, including the following, when checking the document:

Look at the document carefully

• Is it clean and in good condition? Does it look tampered with?
• Check that relevant expiry dates have not passed.

Check the permit number

• This is on the front of the permit in the top right-hand corner.
• It should start with 2 letters. The third character in the permit number can be ‘X’ or a digit. The last 6 characters will be digits. The permit number should not be raised.

Check the holder’s Image

• The holder’s image will always be in grey-scale.
• Check that it matches the person presenting it to you.

Check the biographical details (name, date of birth, etc)

• Check that they match the details of the person presenting it to you.
• Check the dates of birth listed so that you are satisfied these are consistent with the appearance of your customer.

Check the ‘tactile feature’ (on the back)

• The back has a raised design incorporating the four national flowers of the United Kingdom.
• The design can be seen by shining a light across the permit.
• You can also feel the raised design by running your finger over it.

Feel the permit

• It should feel thicker than a driving licence.
• The permit will have a distinctive sound when flicked.
• The permit should not be bent or folded.

Check the holder’s immigration conditions

These are shown on both the front and the back of the permit. For example, it might confirm that an individual has no right to work or can only work a limited number of hours per week.

Security features

The International Civil Aviation Organisation ‘chip inside’ symbol, found on the front of the permit above the holder’s image, is printed using Optically Variable Ink (OVI). As the permit is tilted, the OVI shifts colour depending on the angle of viewing, whilst displaying a metallic quality.

Two colour ultraviolet design – the angle of the design is different on the front and back.

Dynaprint – from one angle, the ‘valid until’ date and the letter ‘U’ are visible; tilting the permit replaces these with a photograph of the holder and the letter ‘K’.

Tactile feature – the back has a raised design incorporating the four national flowers of the UK, seen by shining a light across the permit.

The permit number is unique.

Kinegramᵀᴹ – various designs can be seen as the permit is tilted, showing a distinctive colour change and large amount of fine detail.

Physical checks can also be performed on the BRP and BRC. As they are made entirely from polycarbonate, they will have a distinctive sound when flicked, and the holder’s image will always be in grey-scale. The permit should not be bent or folded, as this is likely to cause it to break. Contact with water should be avoided to prevent damage to the chip.

Identity document validation technology is available that will assist you to check BRPs and BRCs electronically.

Further information about biometric residence permits

Biometric residence permits (BRPs)

Guidance on examining identity documents

Identity Document Validation Technology

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UK re-entry without a BRP

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Hi All, forgive me if this has been answered before. I did search but didnt quite find something inline with my situation. Here goes, i submitted my BRP card amongst other docs to the DVLA so that i could get a UK drivers license. I am due to fly out of the UK this weekend ( Sunday) for a period of 10 days. In the event that i get to leave without a BRP card, how hard would it be to re-enter the UK without it? Do i need it for re-entry? Will a photocopy do? What do i need to show immigration if i dont have the BRP? Thanks  

What do i need to show immigration if i dont have the BRP? Click to expand...

Pedzy said: Hi All, forgive me if this has been answered before. I did search but didnt quite find something inline with my situation. Here goes, i submitted my BRP card amongst other docs to the DVLA so that i could get a UK drivers license. I am due to fly out of the UK this weekend ( Sunday) for a period of 10 days. In the event that i get to leave without a BRP card, how hard would it be to re-enter the UK without it? Do i need it for re-entry? Will a photocopy do? What do i need to show immigration if i dont have the BRP? Thanks Click to expand...

There is very little you can do. Either wait/delay your travel until you have a BRP, or apply for single-entry permit from outside the UK which costs money, requires a biometrics appointment, and could take weeks. You are not going to be able to board a flight back to the UK without a current immigration document  

Can anybody help me out with the same problem. I'm Indian citizen working in uk. As everyone I have sent my BRP card to Dvla & I'm travelling to Turkey in the next few days. I don't know what to do will home office je able to help  

Same advice as above. Either don't travel until you have your BRP back, or apply for a single-entry permit.  

BRP came back intime for me to travel outside the UK. So i did travel in the end and reentered successfully upon showing at the UK boarder control. However for me to even Board the plane from my home nation to return to the UK, they wanted to see the BRP. Also upon connecting to the UK, they also wanted to see it. So i would advise you travel with your BRP, or arrange for someone to post it to you in the event that you leave the UK without it, coz you might not even end up being allowed on a flight back to the UK, and you will definitely not enter the UK without it  

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Donald Trump Is Banned from 37 Countries as Convicted Felon, Including Major Allies Like Canada and U.K.

If elected president again, Trump would need special permission to enter several key countries for maintaining foreign relations

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Donald Trump may face travel restrictions with his newfound felon status , potentially complicating his presidency if he were to win another term in office.

Thirty-eight nations, counting the United States, bar felons from entry, according to World Population Review . Those bans stand regardless of whether someone is allowed to retain their passport after conviction.

Countries that turn felons away include several of the United States' strongest allies, like the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada — the final of which will host the G7 summit of world leaders in 2025. The list also includes a number of nations at the center of pressing foreign policy issues, such as China, Israel and Mexico.

Win McNamee/Getty

International governments can, and in some cases would, choose to make an exception for Trump if he requested special permission as president to make a visit.

George W. Bush , who was arrested for drunk driving in the 1970s, ran into issues with Canadian travel restrictions during his presidency while planning an official state visit and, after applying for a special waiver, he was ultimately allowed to enter.

In Bush's case, which still proved tedious, the circumstances were a bit different: the crime happened decades earlier, was only categorized as a misdemeanor and was never tried in a court of law (Bush admitted to driving under the influence upon arrest and got off with a fine and temporary license suspension). It's hard to say whether Trump's new 34 felony convictions would be dealt with in a similar manner.

Countries That Deny Entry to Felons

• Dominican Republic
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• South Africa
• South Korea
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States

If Trump were elected to another term in the White House and chose to apply for special travel waivers, the irony would not go unnoticed.

The former president has often characterized foreigners as "criminals," and has campaigned on a promise to tighten U.S. travel restrictions, which would include shutting down the border and instating travel bans on people of certain nationalities and ideologies.

Related Articles

By Hannah Beech and Paul Sonne

• May 31, 2024

The world does not vote in American presidential elections. Nor do its jurors play a part in the American judicial system. Nevertheless, the conviction of Donald J. Trump on all 34 felony counts in a hush-money trial in a New York court on Thursday has again made clear how consequential what happens in the United States is for the rest of the planet.

Many America-watchers are grappling with the same questions posed by people in the United States: Can Mr. Trump still run for president? (Yes.) And if so, will the guilty verdicts cut into the support from his political base? (Unclear.)

Foreign observers also began wondering if Mr. Trump, already a volatile force, would become even less likely to stay within the guardrails of normal politics and diplomacy if he won the presidency again in November.

Mr. Trump’s supporters in anti-immigrant, right-wing nationalist circles abroad quickly jumped to his defense. Viktor Orban, Hungary’s Kremlin-friendly prime minister, called Mr. Trump “a man of honor” in a post on X and said the American people should deliver their own verdict in November.

Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister and the leader of the hard-right League party, expressed “solidarity and full support,” and called Mr. Trump a “victim of judicial harassment.”

“This verdict is a disgrace,” Nigel Farage, the pro-Brexit campaigner and Trump supporter, who is honorary president of Reform UK, a small right-wing party in Britain, wrote on social media. “Trump will now win big.”

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia did not immediately respond to the verdict but has seized on the situation more broadly to undermine American influence. Mr. Putin last year called the various proceedings against Mr. Trump political “ persecution ” and said they had revealed the “rottenness of the American political system, which cannot pretend to teach others about democracy.”

His spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, reiterated the point on Friday in response to the verdict, saying it was clear to the entire world that the U.S. authorities were trying to eliminate political rivals “by all possible legal and illegal means.”

The convictions by a Manhattan jury come as the question of American engagement has become central in several global crises.

In Ukraine, the war effort against Russia has been stymied after Republicans in Congress delayed American military aid for months.

In Europe, leaders reliant on the United States for their defense are jittery about a return to a more acrimonious relationship with Washington and a possible withdrawal of American support for hardening defenses against Russia.

In Asia, where the Biden administration perceives a growing Chinese threat and worries about a possible invasion of Taiwan, American allies are concerned about the sanctity of defense treaties that have long girded the regional security order.

On the campaign trail, Mr. Trump has said he would encourage Russia to attack any NATO member that doesn’t pay sufficiently for its defense and has questioned whether the United States should defend South Korea, a treaty ally that hosts a large American military presence. He is considering the Ohio senator J.D. Vance, one of Washington’s most vociferous opponents of military aid for Ukraine, as a possible running mate.

Foreign analysts worry that Mr. Trump’s favored currency, unpredictability, could again shake up the global order.

Concern about his possible return to the White House is particularly palpable in Germany, the object of Mr. Trump’s ire for much of his first term and the host of more than 35,000 U.S. troops.

Andrea Römmele, vice president of the Hertie School, a public policy-focused graduate school in Berlin, said many Germans watching the Trump verdict were relieved to see that even a former president was not above the law in the United States. But she said Germans remained very anxious about a Trump victory.

“I think everyone is much more prepared to think the unthinkable,” she said.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland, whose right-wing domestic opponents accuse him of using the judiciary to settle political scores, hailed the conviction of Mr. Trump in New York as “an American lesson” for Polish politicians.

“The law determines guilt and punishment, regardless of whether the perpetrator is a president or a minister,” Mr. Tusk said in a message posted on X. A veteran centrist, Mr. Tusk took office after an October election that ousted a nationalist government that cultivated close ties with Mr. Trump during and after his time in the White House.

Still, on Friday, most foreign governments, forced to surf every shift in the American political mood, reacted cautiously.

“I would like to refrain from commenting on matters related to judicial procedures in other countries,” Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, said at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday.

In Britain, where a national election campaign is underway, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak refused to discuss the Trump case. His Labour Party opponent, Keir Starmer, a former top prosecutor, said he respected the court’s decision and called the situation unprecedented.

“Ultimately whether he is elected president will be a matter for the American people and obviously, if we’re privileged to come in to serve, we would work with whoever they choose as their president,” Mr. Starmer told BBC Radio Scotland.

Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry, declined to comment on the verdict. She said she hoped whoever was elected president would “be committed to developing healthy and stable China-U. S. relations.”

The possibility of Mr. Trump’s return to the White House is a source of anxiety for U.S. allies in Asia that rely on Washington for their defense.

When Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan made a state visit to Washington in April, President Biden called relations between the countries the most important bilateral alliance in the world. With American concern rising over China’s expanding military footprint, Mr. Biden has strengthened American defense partnerships with Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and others in Asia.

By contrast, while president, Mr. Trump called for Japan, which hosts more than 50,000 American troops on its soil, to pay $8 billion for the upkeep of American bases there. (It never happened.)

Still, the fundamental tension in regional geopolitics — the contest between the United States and China — will continue no matter who wins the American presidential election.

“Beijing has no illusion about Trump or Biden, given their anti-China solid stance,” said Lau Siu-kai, an adviser to the Chinese government on Hong Kong policy. “Beijing is all set for a more intense confrontation with the U.S. over technology, trade and Taiwan.”

Officials in China’s embassy in the United States and its consulates around the country are most likely scrambling to assess how the verdict could affect the election, said Willy Lam, an analyst of Chinese politics at the Jamestown Foundation in Washington.

“The majority of Xi Jinping’s advisers now think a Trump presidency might be worse for U.S.-China relations,” Mr. Lam said of China’s top leader. “If Trump were to win, given the now peculiar circumstances of his victory, he might gravitate towards unpredictable actions to assert his authority.”

There is a sense in Asia that the region is perennially overlooked and underappreciated by U.S. presidents, particularly as crises in Europe and the Middle East have monopolized Mr. Biden’s attention. That sentiment was also felt acutely during Mr. Trump’s presidency, and for American partners in Asia it was made worse by his affinity for regional strongmen.

In addition to occasional expressions of admiration for Mr. Putin and Kim Jong-un of North Korea, Mr. Trump invited to the White House a former army chief who led a coup in Thailand and installed himself as prime minister. Mr. Trump drew accolades from Rodrigo Duterte, formerly the president of the Philippines and now under investigation by the International Criminal Court over his deadly war on drugs.

The Philippines is now led by the son of the longtime dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, who died in exile in Hawaii. He has reoriented the country away from China back toward the United States.

In at least one regard — the prosecution of former leaders — the rest of the world is far ahead of the United States. South Korea, where four former presidents have been convicted of corruption and abuse of power, has made something of a national sport of imprisoning disgraced leaders. The former French presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac were convicted of corruption.

Jacob Zuma, the former president of South Africa, has been charged with money laundering, among other crimes. And Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sentenced to years in prison for corruption after leading Brazil. His convictions were eventually annulled. He is again president of the country.

Reporting was contributed by Stephen Castle, Elisabetta Povoledo, Roger Cohen, Zixu Wang, Andrew Higgins, Camille Elemia , Choe Sang-Hun , Motoko Rich , Alexandra Stevenson , Sui-Lee Wee and Sameer Yasir .

An earlier version of this article misstated the length of Rodrigo Duterte’s term in office. It was six years, not eight years.

How we handle corrections

Hannah Beech is a Times reporter based in Bangkok who has been covering Asia for more than 25 years. She focuses on in-depth and investigative stories. More about Hannah Beech

Paul Sonne is an international correspondent, focusing on Russia and the varied impacts of President Vladimir V. Putin’s domestic and foreign policies, with a focus on the war against Ukraine. More about Paul Sonne

Our Coverage of the Trump Hush-Money Trial

Guilty Verdict : Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts  of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his bid for the White House in 2016, making him the first American president to be declared a felon .

What Happens Next: Trump’s sentencing hearing on July 11 will trigger a long and winding appeals process , though he has few ways to overturn the decision .

Reactions: Trump’s conviction reverberated quickly across the country  and around the world . Here’s what voters , New Yorkers , Republicans , Trump supporters  and President Biden  had to say.

The Presidential Race : The political fallout of Trump’s conviction is far from certain , but the verdict will test America’s traditions, legal institutions and ability to hold an election under historic partisan tension .

Making the Case: Over six weeks and the testimony of 20 witnesses, the Manhattan district attorney’s office wove a sprawling story  of election interference and falsified business records.

Legal Luck Runs Out: The four criminal cases that threatened Trump’s freedom had been stumbling along, pleasing his advisers. Then his good fortune expired .

Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested as police disrupt demonstration at Oxford university

Sixteen protesters have been arrested since Thursday morning.

Thursday 23 May 2024 17:49, UK

Police have interrupted a pro-Palestinian protest in Oxford after student demonstrators organised a peaceful sit-in at a university office building.

Footage posted online by the Oxford Action for Palestine group showed police pushing protesters from the steps of the admin office building in Wellington Square after a group of students staged a demonstration in vice chancellor Irene Tracey's office.

One student was seen being carried out of the building on a stretcher by four officers and put into the back of a police van. It is not thought the person was injured.

Others were then filmed being pushed to the floor and dragged by their coats as they sat on the road outside the office building appearing to block a police van.

Police confirmed 16 people have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass. One of the 16 has also been arrested on suspicion of common assault.

Oxford police are continuing their violent assaults and arrests of peaceful protesters, here seen taking away a student on a stretcher. pic.twitter.com/T04edYPfu9 — Oxford Action for Palestine (@OxAct4Pal) May 23, 2024

A group of around 75 students later gathered outside a building where the heads of all university colleges were meeting, demanding that leaders negotiate with the group and those who have been arrested be released.

"It is evident that the administration would rather arrest, silence, and physically assault its own students than confront its enabling of Israel's genocide in Gaza," a statement from the group on X said.

Thames Valley Police said: "In addition to these arrests we dealt with protesters in the immediate vicinity of Wellington Square. Elements of this protest sought to obstruct the removal of the persons arrested. These protests have been peaceful and no arrests were made.

"We are still managing a small peaceful protest in the city.

"We're also aware of footage circulating on social media, which show our officers using lawful, proportionate and necessary action in the difficult circumstances they faced."

Wave of student protests

The demonstration was part of the ongoing protests against the war in Gaza by students across the US and Europe.

It is evident the administration would rather arrest, silence, and physically assault its own students than confront its enabling of israel’s genocide in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/LFGCZZwabY — Oxford Action for Palestine (@OxAct4Pal) May 23, 2024

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden have denied what is going on in the country is genocide.

Mr Netanyahu also remained committed to continue the military action that began after the Hamas attack on 7 October.

Eyewitness: Protesters call for 'negotiation' and the release of those arrested

By Mollie Malone, news correspondent

Aside from the more typical pro Palestine chants we've heard at protests for many months now, student shouts of "what do we want, negotiation" can be heard outside a meeting of Oxford University college leaders.

This is a pre-planned event where the heads of each college gather to discuss general issues of university governance.

A group of around 75 students, staged outside the meeting, are taking issue with the university's stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict and are calling for uni leaders to engage with them.

"We are calling on them to push the uni to negotiate with us at Oxford Action for Palestine. We're also calling for those arrested to be freed," said Amytess Girgis, a PHD student at Oxford.

This follows a gathering of students this morning who staged a sit-in outside the university administration building, with a banner of six demands for university leaders, all relating to their stance over the war in the Middle East.

"Instead of talking with her students, the vice chancellor chose to evacuate the building and call the police on them," Amy, another protester, told Sky News.

Police can be seen parading up and down the street, with cameras. At the moment it looks to be casual surveillance rather than interacting with the students.

But that’s different to this morning - where the students say around 16 arrests were made.

Thames Valley Police said this morning it was "aware of an ongoing protest at Oxford University".

It said it was in contact with the university and urged anyone with concerns to speak to officers in the area.

On 6 May a "liberated zone encampment" was set up outside the Pitt Rivers Museum in the university city.

Read more from Sky News: Video showing captured Israeli female soldiers released Ireland, Norway and Spain recognise Palestine state Israeli cabinet member denies famine in Gaza

Students listed six demands - including for the university to demand closure of all university-wide financial assets that benefit Israel - and claimed they would not leave until all were met.

According to the Oxford for Palestine organisation, other demands include: divest university-wide assets, overhaul investment policy, boycott institutional relationships, drop Barclays bank and rebuild and reinvest.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Similar encampments are also still in place at Cambridge University and have been seen in cities including Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol, Dublin and Leeds.

The University of Oxford has not commented but has previously said it "respects our students and staff members rights to freedom of expression in the form of peaceful protests" but said the establishment is "no place for intolerance".

Sky News has contacted the University of Oxford for further comment.

Related Topics

• Oxfordshire