Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
What is a Biometric Residence Permit? Understand BRP cards, expiry dates, and how to check right to work with BRP documents.
Last updated: 30 January 2025
BRP cards are physical documents that prove immigration status, but are being replaced by digital status.
What Is a BRP?
Definition
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Physical card | Credit card size |
| Biometric data | Fingerprints, photo |
| Immigration status | Shows visa type |
| Work conditions | Any restrictions |
Information on Card
| Element | Shows |
|---|---|
| Photo | Of holder |
| Name | Full name |
| Date of birth | DOB |
| Nationality | Country |
| Status type | Visa category |
| Expiry date | When card expires |
| Restrictions | Work conditions |
BRP Phase-Out
Transition to eVisas
| Timeline | Event |
|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | Transition period |
| December 2024 | Many BRPs expire |
| 2025 onwards | Digital status (eVisa) |
| Online only | Future checking |
What This Means
| For Employers | Action |
|---|---|
| Use online service | Even with BRP |
| Don't rely on card | Alone |
| Prepare for change | Digital only |
Checking Right to Work
Online Service (Required)
| Process | Step |
|---|---|
| Employee | Creates UKVI account |
| Generates | Share code |
| Gives to | Employer |
| Employer | Verifies online |
Why Not the Card
| Reason | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cards expire | Status may not |
| Cards stolen/lost | Status remains |
| Easier to forge | Than online system |
| Official process | Is online |
BRP Card Details
Front of Card
| Element | Information |
|---|---|
| Photo | Holder's image |
| Name | Full name |
| Date of birth | DOB |
| Place of birth | Country |
| Nationality | Citizenship |
Back of Card
| Element | Information |
|---|---|
| Immigration status | Type of leave |
| Conditions | Work restrictions |
| Expiry date | Card validity |
| BRP number | Unique reference |
| Chip | Biometric data |
Work Restrictions
Reading Conditions
| If Card Says | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No work | Cannot work |
| Work limited | Restrictions apply |
| No restrictions | Can work freely |
| Specific hours | Check limit |
Common Restrictions
| Status | Typical Restriction |
|---|---|
| Student visa | 20 hours term time |
| Dependant | May have limits |
| Asylum seeker | May say no work |
| ILR | No restrictions |
Card Expiry vs Status Expiry
Important Distinction
| What Expires | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BRP card | Physical document |
| Immigration status | Actual permission |
| May differ | Card and status |
Example
| Situation | Detail |
|---|---|
| ILR holder | Status never expires |
| BRP card | Has expiry date |
| Card expires | Status continues |
| Check online | To confirm |
Online Verification Process
For Employees
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to gov.uk |
| 2 | Log into UKVI account |
| 3 | Request share code |
| 4 | Provide to employer |
For Employers
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to checking service |
| 2 | Enter share code |
| 3 | Enter DOB |
| 4 | View status |
| 5 | Record confirmation |
What You'll See
| Information | Displayed |
|---|---|
| Photo | For verification |
| Immigration status | Current |
| Work rights | Detailed |
| Expiry (if applicable) | Status end date |
Lost or Stolen BRP
Employee Action
| If Lost/Stolen | Must Do |
|---|---|
| Report to Home Office | Immediately |
| Police report | If stolen |
| May need replacement | Or use eVisa |
Employer Position
| Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use online check | Still works |
| Status valid | Despite lost card |
| No delay needed | To employment |
Expired BRP Cards
What To Do
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Card expired | Check online |
| Status may be valid | Verify |
| Employee may need | To update records |
December 2024 Expiries
| Many BRPs | Set to Expire |
|---|---|
| Mass expiry | December 2024 |
| Transition | To eVisa |
| Online accounts | Needed |
Record Keeping
What to Record
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Online confirmation | Screenshot |
| Date of check | When done |
| Status verified | What it showed |
| Any conditions | Work restrictions |
Do NOT Keep
| Don't Store | Why |
|---|---|
| BRP card copy | Not required |
| Unless also online | Confirmed |
| Biometric data | Data protection |
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: New Employee with BRP
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Don't just copy card | Insufficient |
| Ask for share code | Online check |
| Verify online | Status confirmed |
| Record confirmation | Keep evidence |
Scenario 2: BRP Expired, Employment Ongoing
| Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| Follow-up check | When status expires |
| Use online service | Current status |
| If still valid | Continue employment |
| If expired | Cannot work |
Scenario 3: Can't Read BRP
| If Card Damaged | Solution |
|---|---|
| Use online check | Works regardless |
| Don't rely on card | Physical damage irrelevant |
| Status in system | Accessible online |
Specific BRP Types
Student BRP
| Features | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shows student status | Tier 4/Student visa |
| Work restriction | 20 hours term time |
| Check online | For current status |
| Track expiry | Of status |
Skilled Worker BRP
| Features | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shows employment | Tied to sponsor |
| May have conditions | Check online |
| Sponsor changes | Requires update |
Family BRP
| Features | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dependant status | May have restrictions |
| Check work rights | Online |
| May be unlimited | Depends on main visa |
Avoiding Mistakes
Common Errors
| Mistake | Problem |
|---|---|
| Copying card only | Not sufficient |
| Ignoring expiry | May miss status end |
| Not checking online | Missing current info |
| Assuming card = status | They can differ |
Best Practice
| Do | Why |
|---|---|
| Always check online | Most accurate |
| Use share code | Official process |
| Record confirmation | Evidence |
| Track status expiry | For follow-up |
Future of BRPs
Digital Transition
| Change | Detail |
|---|---|
| eVisa | Replacing cards |
| UKVI accounts | Central to system |
| Online proof | Standard method |
| No physical cards | Eventually |
Preparing
| Action | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Use online now | Get used to system |
| Train staff | New processes |
| Update procedures | Digital first |
Summary
Key Points
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use online check | Not card alone |
| Share code | Required |
| Card expires | Status may not |
| Keep confirmation | As record |
Transition
| From | To |
|---|---|
| Physical BRP | Digital eVisa |
| Card checking | Online only |
| By 2025 | Completed |
Related answers
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
What is Indefinite Leave to Remain and how does it affect right to work? Understand ILR work rights and checking requirements.
Right to Work Checks: UK Employer Guide
UK employers must verify every employee's right to work before they start. Learn the 3 methods, required documents, and penalties for non-compliance.
Online Right to Work Check
How do you conduct an online right to work check? Step-by-step guide to using the Home Office checking service with share codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use a BRP card to check right to work?
- You should use the online checking service, not the physical BRP card. The employee generates a share code which you verify online. BRP cards are being phased out and replaced with digital status (eVisas) by 2025.
- What if the BRP card has expired?
- The card expiring doesn't necessarily mean the person's immigration status has expired. Use the online checking service to verify their current status. The digital status may still be valid even if the physical card has expired.
- What does a BRP card show?
- BRP cards display the holder's photo, name, date of birth, nationality, immigration status, visa type, and any work restrictions. However, you must still verify status online rather than relying solely on the card.