If you are holding an expired biometric residence permit card and wondering whether your right to stay in the UK has ended, you are not alone. In 2026, millions of people face exactly this question. The good news is that an expired card does not necessarily mean your immigration permission has finished.
In 2026, most physical biometric residence permit cards have expired, but the UK is transitioning from physical BRPs to a digital record system, meaning your immigration status may still be fully valid through an eVisa. If your BRP expired, your visa may still be valid. You must check your Home Office decision letter or online record to confirm the true end date of your permission to stay in the UK.
We at Axis Solicitors can review your visa end date, expired BRP and eVisa position and provide tailored legal advice. Below, we explain everything you need to know about BRP validity, the move to eVisas and what steps to take now.
What Is a Biometric Residence Permit?
A biometric residence permit UK is a standard credit card size document issued by the Home Office to foreign nationals granted permission to stay in the UK. Historically, BRPs were issued to non-EEA nationals staying over six months, and eligibility for a BRP requires permission to stay in the UK. The BRP includes biometric data like fingerprints and a photo, alongside personal details such as name and date of birth.
BRPs display information including nationality, permit number, expiry date, type of leave (for example “Skilled Worker” or “Indefinite Leave to Remain”), and any conditions such as “No recourse to public funds”. BRPs may also include a National Insurance number on the back. Importantly, BRPs confirm immigration status and entitlements in the UK. You can access public services and claim benefits based on immigration status via this card. A BRP is required for stays over six months.
How Long Was a Biometric Residence Permit Normally Valid Before 2025?
Historically, the length of a biometric residence permit matched the period of leave granted by the Home Office, up to 10 years in certain ILR cases. Typical validity patterns included:
- Student visa holders: often 1 to 4 years, matching course length
- Skilled Worker and other work routes: usually aligned with sponsorship period (for example 3 or 5 years)
- Family visas: typically 30 or 33 months
- ILR biometric residence permits: often issued for up to 10 years before renewal
From around 2020, many BRPs, including those for ILR, were deliberately given an end date of 31 December 2024, regardless of the underlying permission length, to prepare for the move to a digital system. This led to widespread confusion where a BRP card appeared to end on 31 December 2024 but the grant letter confirmed residence rights well beyond that date. Understanding this background helps explain why in 2026 many people hold expired biometric residence permits but still have ongoing permission to remain.
The UK government set a uniform expiry date of 31 December 2024 for a high volume of physical immigration documents to support the transition to a fully digital immigration system. As of 31 October 2024, BRPs began to be replaced by eVisas. BRPs expiring on 31 December 2024 require no renewal application for the physical card itself.
Is My UK Biometric Residence Permit Still Valid in 2026?
In 2026, most physical biometric residence permits are no longer valid as a travel document or identity document. However, your immigration permission may still be active and held digitally as an eVisa. Expired BRPs can still be used until the end of 2026 or 24 months of expiry whichever comes first, for certain purposes, but beyond that date, they cannot be used to travel back to the UK.
For example, if a Skilled Worker visa was granted from 1 March 2023 to 1 March 2026, the BRP card may show 31 December 2024, yet the right to work and stay in the UK legally continues to 1 March 2026 via an eVisa. After 2026, individuals must rely on an eVisa linked to their passport and UKVI account for border checks.
If you are unsure about the visa status of your biometric residence permit or eVisa UK in 2026, we recommend requesting a detailed review from an immigration solicitor who can verify dates and conditions directly against Home Office records.
Understanding the Shift from Biometric Residence Permits to eVisas
An eVisa is a digital online record of immigration status that replaces physical biometric residence cards. It is accessible through a UKVI account and used via share codes. eVisas will replace physical BRPs for proving immigration status, and physical biometric residence permits were phased out by 2025.
An eVisa UK contains the same core biometric information as a BRP: type of permission, conditions, start date and end date. Individuals must create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. The Home Office advised people to register for a UKVI account in 2024, and holders had 18 months to replace an expired BRP with an eVisa. Expired BRPs can help access eVisa accounts until 31 December 2026.
Employers, landlords and some banks now use Home Office online services to confirm a person’s eVisa status using a share code instead of copying the front and back of a BRP card. We can guide you step by step in moving from a physical document to an eVisa, including resolving technical issues with the UKVI account.
Checking the Actual End Date of Your Immigration Permission
In 2026, the critical question is the visa or ILR end date, not simply whether the old biometric residence permit has expired. The true end date is usually recorded in:
- The original Home Office decision letter or email
- Your online application account
- The digital eVisa record in the UKVI account
Mini-checklist: Locate your Home Office reference (GWF or UAN), log in to the UKVI account, confirm the “valid until” date and compare it with any previous BRP card. Asylum seekers and refugees may have different grant formats and must check their protection status end date as well as the card.
Where there is inconsistency between the expired biometric residence permit and the written decision, we recommend seeking urgent legal advice to avoid overstaying or gaps in lawful residence.
What Happens When a Biometric Residence Permit Expires but the Visa Continues?
An expired biometric residence permit in 2026 does not automatically end your right to stay in the UK if the visa end date is later. You must rely on your eVisa and grant letter instead of the plastic card. Individuals whose cards expired on 31 December 2024 were expected to create a UKVI account and have their valid leave recorded digitally.
If you continue to live, work and rent in the UK in 2026, your employer and landlord should carry out online right to work and right to rent checks against the eVisa rather than the old BRP. If someone mistakenly believes their permission ended when the card expired and leaves the UK for a long period, this may affect continuous residence for ILR and naturalisation.
Expired Biometric Residence Permits and Indefinite Leave to Remain in 2026
Many people with indefinite leave to remain held biometric residence permits that expired on 31 December 2024 but retain indefinite permission to live and work in the UK. ILR is not time-limited like temporary visas, but the card used to evidence it may need replacing as the system moves fully to eVisas.
Indefinite leave to remain applicants must meet continuous residence requirements, and spending more than 2 continuous years outside the UK can lead to loss of ILR, regardless of biometric residence permit validity. ILR holders in 2026 generally need an eVisa linked to their passport to travel and re-enter the UK. We can review your travel history, expired biometric residence permits and future plans, advising on safe travel and progression to British citizenship.
Biometric Data & Security Features in Your BRP Card
Even as physical biometric residence permits are phased out, the biometric information captured during the application process remains central to identity verification. A BRP includes advanced security features such as polycarbonate construction, optically variable inks, ultraviolet patterns and a secure chip. The facial image and fingerprints stored on the card underpin the digital eVisa system too.
Biometric data must be provided at a UKVCAS appointment for visa extensions, ILR and citizenship applications, even when applicants are no longer issued a new BRP. Accurate biometric enrolment remains crucial. We help clients prepare for biometric appointments, ensuring documents match to prevent later disputes about identity.
Is It Necessary to Report Lost, Stolen or Damaged Expired BRP?
In 2026, losing a biometric residence permit is less critical than before due to digital records, but it still needs handling correctly. If a BRP is lost or stolen, it must be reported to the Home Office, even where the card has already expired, to reduce the risk of identity fraud. A lost or stolen BRP should never be used again if later found and should be physically destroyed by cutting through the chip and personal details.
We can help clients who have a lost or stolen BRP to confirm their digital status, obtain further information from the Home Office and ensure their record is fully up to date.
What If My Biometric Residence Permit Is Incorrect in 2026?
Some individuals only discover an error on their biometric residence permit or eVisa when preparing to travel or when an employer completes checks. Common mistakes include wrong date of birth, misspelt name, incorrect visa end date, inaccurate immigration category, or conditions wrongly stated.
With eVisas, corrections are usually requested through online Home Office forms. People who notice mismatches between their biometric residence permit, decision letter and eVisa record should seek legal advice promptly. We routinely liaise with UK Visas and Immigration to resolve data errors, ensuring digital immigration status accurately reflects the lawful position, including personal information changes.
Family Members, Dependants and Shared Biometric Residence Permit Timelines
The validity of a family member’s biometric residence permit or eVisa often depends on the main visa holder’s permission. Dependants’ permissions usually end on the same date as the main applicant, but children and spouses may have expired cards while the lead applicant’s permission continues.
Each person’s Home Office grant letter should be checked individually, as not all family members receive identical end dates. Family members relying on an expired biometric residence permit in 2026 may struggle with school admissions, NHS registrations or bank checks unless their eVisa and share codes are correctly set up. We provide coordinated advice for families, ensuring every dependant has consistent, documented status.
Timelines of BRP for Asylum Seekers & Refugees
An asylum seeker and recognised refugees often rely heavily on a biometric residence permit as their only identity document in the UK. Those granted refugee status receive a BRP showing the length of leave, which may show 31 December 2024 as the card end date.
Asylum seekers waiting for a decision may hold an Application Registration Card rather than a full BRP, and different validity rules apply. Refugees must not use a home country passport for identity verification; they instead use their biometric residence permit or a Home Office travel document. Our immigration team regularly advise on card expiry, eVisa creation, family reunion and long-term settlement options under UK immigration law. An EU citizen with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme faces similar card expiry issues and should also check their eVisa.
Using an Expired Biometric Residence Permit as Supporting Evidence
Even when a biometric residence permit is no longer valid as proof of current status in 2026, it can still serve as historic evidence in future immigration applications. Applicants are encouraged to keep old BRPs to show continuity of biometric residence, work history or earlier grants of leave, especially when applying for ILR or British citizenship.
An expired BRP alongside ink stamps, tenancy agreements and payslips can help establish long residence for 10-year route settlement applications. We routinely use previous biometric residence permits and grant letters to construct comprehensive immigration histories for complex cases.
Travelling In and Out of the UK in 2026 with an Expired BRP
From 2 June 2025, travellers must rely on eVisas and a valid passport, not expired biometric residence permits, when entering the UK. Expired BRPs can be used until the end of 2025 only in limited transitional circumstances. Airlines and carriers check a passenger’s digital immigration status against their passport before boarding, so ensuring the eVisa is correctly linked is essential.
Before travel, verify your eVisa in the UKVI account, make sure passport details are up to date, and carry a digital screenshot of your online status. People with expired biometric residence permits but no visible eVisa record should seek legal advice and contact details for UK Visas and Immigration before booking international travel. You may also need to link a new passport to your account if yours has been renewed.
Proving Your Right to Work, Rent and Access Services in 2026
By 2026, most right to work and right to rent checks are carried out online. Employers and landlords previously used the BRP for identity verification during background checks, but now individuals generate a temporary share code from the “View and Prove your immigration status” service. Share codes will be used to prove rights to work and rent going forward.
Although many biometric residence permits expired on 31 December 2024, the right to work or access public services may continue as shown in the eVisa. Employers should not discriminate solely because a BRP card has expired. We support both individuals and UK businesses in Manchester and beyond with immigration compliance, sponsor licence duties, and verifying lawful status. You can also use the id check app for certain verification steps.
What To Do If You Never Received Your Biometric Residence Permit
Some people granted leave between 2020 and 2024 never received a biometric residence permit due to postal issues or production delays.
In 2026, these individuals typically rely on an eVisa alone. Steps include: locate the Home Office decision notice, check whether a UKVI account already exists, attempt account recovery using your BRP number or application reference, and if necessary contact an immigration solicitor. People who have changed email address, phone number or passport since applying may struggle to access their online record without professional assistance. We can help reconstruct document trails and secure proof of status.
How Long Does a Biometric Residence Permit Need to Be Valid for Further Applications?
By 2026, the validity of a biometric residence permit card UK itself is less important than the validity of the underlying leave when applying for extensions, ILR or citizenship. Applicants must apply to extend or switch visas before their current permission expires, regardless of the BRP expiry date. BRP application fees vary based on immigration status and the type of application process involved.
For ILR and British citizenship applications, the Home Office is mainly concerned with continuous lawful residence, absences and good character, not whether an old biometric residence permit is in-date. People should not delay settlement applications simply because their BRP card has expired. We can calculate key dates, including qualifying 5- or 10-year residence periods, and advise when to apply.
We strongly advise keeping copies of every biometric residence permit, Home Office email and grant letter in a safe digital folder. Early advice from a legal representative is always easier and more cost-effective than repairing the situation after an overstay or refusal.
How Axis Solicitors Can Help with Biometric Residence Permits and eVisas
We are a UK-based immigration law firm with offices in Manchester, London and Birmingham, experienced in dealing with biometric residence permits, eVisas and complex status queries. We review clients’ expired BRPs, eVisa screens, grant letters and travel history to give clear advice on whether immigration permission is still valid in 2026 and what steps to take next.
We assist with a wide range of issues: creating or recovering UKVI accounts, linking passports to eVisas, challenging Home Office errors, and preparing extension, ILR or citizenship applications. We also support employers and sponsors who need to understand staff members’ biometric residence statuses, ensuring right to work checks are compliant and up to date. Our address and contact details are available on our website.
Request a consultation or speak to an immigration solicitor today for personalised guidance on your biometric residence permit situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my expired biometric residence permit mean my visa has finished?
No. An expired biometric residence permit in 2026 does not automatically mean your immigration permission has ended. The true end date is recorded in your Home Office decision letter and eVisa. If the grant letter shows a later date than the card, you are still likely to have valid permission. Access your UKVI account to confirm your digital status. If there is any doubt or missing paperwork, an immigration solicitor can contact the Home Office to avoid unintentional overstaying.
Can I still open a bank account in 2026 if my BRP has expired?
Banks increasingly rely on digital immigration status checks, so an expired BRP alone may not be accepted as proof. Use your passport and a current eVisa record to satisfy Know Your Customer checks. Old BRPs may help as historic evidence but not as proof of current status. If you experience bank refusals, seek legal advice and, if necessary, obtain additional documentation.
My family member is abroad with a BRP that expired in 2024. Can they still travel back to the UK?
From 2025 onwards, travellers usually need their eVisa linked to a valid passport rather than an expired biometric residence permit to re-enter the UK. The family member abroad should check whether their permission is still valid and whether their eVisa is active before attempting to travel. We can examine grant documentation and advise whether to contact UKVI or apply for a replacement travel document.
How does BRP validity affect my future British citizenship application?
For citizenship applications, the key factors are continuous lawful residence, immigration history and good character, not whether the biometric residence permit card is still valid. Applicants must demonstrate they held valid permission for the qualifying period, and expired BRPs serve as helpful documentary evidence of past status. Anyone considering naturalisation with complex absences or expired BRPs should obtain a detailed assessment before applying. The issue date on previous BRPs can help establish your timeline.
