We often receive calls from distressed clients, who have lost or displaced their Biometric Residence Permit. There are also some unfortunate cases where the Biometric Residence Permit is stolen.
Should your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) get lost, stolen or damaged, and it was valid for another three months or more, you need to get it replaced.
Replacement of the Biometric Residence Permit
It is important to note that if the BRP was valid for another three months that you have to get it replaced.
The Home Office can fine you for up to £1,000 for failing to do so. In some cases, you can even be made to leave the UK if you do not apply for a replacement BRP in time.
It is thus very important to rather face the red tape and get it replace in time!
Biometric Residence Permit lost/damaged in the UK/outside the UK
Whether your BRP was lost/stolen/damaged in the UK or outside the UK, will affect the time frame on how soon you have to get it replaced.
If your Biometric Residence Permit was lost/stolen/damaged in the UK:
If your BRP was stolen, lost or damaged in the UK, you have to apply for a replacement. You have to apply within three months. The replacement fee is £56. It is possible to apply online on the Home Office Website.
If your Biometric Residence Permit was lost/stolen/damaged outside the UK:
There are unfortunately some administrative hassles if your BRP was stolen, damaged or lost outside the UK.
You cannot apply for a BRP outside the UK. You have to apply for a replacement BRP visa. This will allow you to enter the UK on one occasion only. The application process is done online at the cost of £154.
As soon as you are back in the UK, you have to apply for the replacement Biometric Residence Permit. You have to do this within a month.
Reporting a stolen Biometric Residence Permit
You can report a stolen BRP online on the Home Office website, irrespective of whether it was stolen inside or outside the UK. The Home Office will then contact you within one working day.
Should you find your BRP, after you have reported it as being stolen, you will no longer be able to use it.
For more information, please feel free to send us your query.
Please also see our article on All you need to know about Biometric Residence Cards.
