If you lose your BRP, you must report it lost and apply for a new one if there is more than 3 months left before it expires. Failure to report the loss may result in you receiving a fine up to £1000, having your visa cancelled and any future immigration applications for the UK may be affected. You may have problems applying for a new job, opening a bank account or moving accommodation without your BRP.
If your BRP was valid for less than 3 months, you must still report the loss to the Home Office but you do not have to replace it.
Before taking the steps listed below, please look everywhere for your BRP. If you find your BRP after you have reported it missing, you will still have to go through the process of applying for a new one.
The steps to take if you are in the UK:
- Report the BRP missing at the local police station. You need to get a receipt with a lost property/crime reference number on it from the police.
- Report the lost/stolen BRP card to the Home Office and apply for a replacement Please note: as soon as you do this, you will have cancelled your BRP.
- You will need to provide the lost property/police crime reference number, proof of your address (e.g. bank statement) and your passport. The Home Office charge £19 for a new BRP and £19.20 for biometric enrolment, you will need a debit or credit card to make the online payment.
- You must attend an appointment at a UKVCAS Service Point to enrol your biometrics if you are unable to use the IDV app.
There are other ways to prove your immigration status while you wait for a replacement BRP.
You cannot gain entry back into the UK without your BRP so do not make any travel arrangements until your new card is back. If an emergency occurs and you need to travel, or you lose your BRP card overseas you will need to apply for a replacement BRP single entry visa to re-enter the UK. Once you have returned to the UK contact Student Immigration Team (Advice) to apply for a replacement BRP card.
The steps to take if you are outside the UK:
- Report the BRP missing at the local police station. You need to get a receipt with a lost property/crime reference number on it from the police.
- You must report your lost or stolen BRP outside the UK
- Apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’, which lets you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154.
You can apply for a replacement BRP when you return to the UK. You must do this within 3 months of reporting it lost or stolen unless you have a good reason, for example you were unable to return to the UK in that time.