Travelling with an Expired Biometric Residence Card (BRC) or Permit (BRP)
If your biometric residence permit (BRP) expired on or after 31 December 2024, you might still be able to use it for travel to the UK until 31 March 2025, provided you continue to have permission to stay in the UK. Always carry your expired document with you, as your carrier may ask to see it.
Preparing for Travel to the UK
To ensure smooth travel, you should:
- Set up access to your online immigration status (eVisa)
- Obtain a share code to prove your immigration status; this code is valid for 90 days.
- Review the ETA guidance if you are traveling on an Electronic Travel Authorisation.
Travelling Out of the UK
If you’re in the UK and have permission to stay, make sure your UKVI account information is accurate before you travel:
- Check that your immigration status displays correctly using the ‘view and prove your immigration status’ service. Report any errors with your eVisa.
- Use the ‘update your UKVI account details’ service to ensure your travel passport is linked to your account and that your personal details are correct.
Travelling with an eVisa
For those outside the UK with permission to travel:
- Confirm your immigration status is correctly displayed using the ‘view and prove your immigration status’ service. Report any discrepancies with your eVisa.
- Ensure your travel passport is linked to your UKVI account and your personal details are accurate.
- Match the passenger information provided to the carrier with the details on your passport or immigration permission.
Updating Passport Information
To add a different passport to your UKVI account from outside the UK:
- If personal details haven’t changed, use the ‘update your UKVI account details’ service.
- If personal details have changed, you may face travel delays. Consider applying for a temporary visa to re-enter the UK once. Once in the UK, update your passport and personal details via the ‘update your UKVI account details’ service.
Travelling to Other Countries
Check the entry, exit, and transit requirements of other countries. You might need to show evidence of your UK immigration status, which could include:
- A share code from the ‘view and prove’ service.
- A screen view from your UKVI account.
- A physical document confirming UK status.
- A copy of the Home Office letter or email granting your UK immigration status.
Access Issues with eVisa
If you can’t access your eVisa, seek help to recover your UKVI account access. If recovery isn’t possible, but you have a valid physical document showing permission to travel, present it to your carrier. If you lack access and proof, consider applying for a temporary visa to re-enter the UK once.
Without an eVisa
If you’re outside the UK and do not have an eVisa, access it via:
- A smartphone, a mobile phone number, and an email address.
- Your BRP card or a valid passport with your BRP number or visa application number.
Show your valid passport and any physical proof of permission to your carrier. If these are unavailable, consider applying for a temporary visa to re-enter the UK.
We provide a complimentary ‘preliminary’ virtual meeting which helps define your Immigration needs. Please contact us to book a consultation where the adviser can look at your case in more detail.
