Upgrade, update, replace, transfer or switch your immigration document

Use this form if you are in the UK and want to:

More information:

Update, replace or transfer a biometric residence permit (BRP)

Update, replace or transfer your biometric residence permit (BRP)


You can use this form to get a biometric residence permit (BRP) if you are in the UK and if:

  • your BRP or other immigration document is lost, stolen, damaged
  • your BRP or other immigration document has expired after you have received indefinite leave to remain
  • your UK visa is in a passport that is lost, stolen, damaged, or expired
  • you have changed your name, nationality, facial appearance, date of birth, or gender
  • you want to transfer or upgrade your old immigration document to a BRP

If your BRP has less than 3 months validity you may want to replace it now if you need to prove your right to work or rent or you are travelling outside the UK.

You do not need to apply for a replacement BRP if you currently have an application with the Home Office for further leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain.

If your BRP was lost, stolen or damaged outside the UK:


You cannot apply for a replacement BRP outside the UK.

You will need a ‘replacement BRP visa’ which lets you re-enter the UK once only - you must apply online in most countries.

You must apply for a replacement BRP within 1 month of your return to the UK.

Read our guidance to learn more about who can use this form, what documents you need to provide and what fees you may need to pay.

Update, replace or transfer a biometric residence card (BRC)

Update, replace or transfer your biometric residence card (BRC)


You can use this form to get a biometric residence card (BRC) if you are in the UK, you have been granted leave under the EU Settlement Scheme and if:

  • your BRC is lost, stolen or damaged
  • you have changed your name, nationality, facial appearance, date of birth, or gender
  • you want to upgrade your BRC issued under the EEA regulations to a BRC issued under the EU Settlement Scheme
  • you want to change from a pre-settled status BRC to a settled status BRC issued under the EU Settlement Scheme (you can only do this if you have been granted settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme)

You cannot apply on this form if you have been granted an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit vignette (visa sticker inside your passport) and:

  • your passport is lost or stolen, and you want to remain in the UK.
  • your vignette has expired, and you want to remain in the UK

More information about what you need to do can be found here

If your BRC was lost, stolen or damaged outside the UK:


You cannot apply for a replacement BRC outside the UK. You will need to apply online for an EU Settlement Scheme travel permit.

Switch from a paper document to a biometric residence permit (BRP)

About paper documents


Paper documents used to be issued as evidence of UK immigration status. They include status letters, passport stamps and passport stickers (sometimes referred to as a vignette).

Your proof of immigration status may even be in an expired passport.

You may still have a paper document because you have not needed to update this to a more modern proof of status since it was issued.

These documents are being phased out and in future it may become more difficult for you to evidence your identity and status.


Switching from a paper document to a BRP


If you have been granted Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you can apply for a biometric residence permit (BRP). There is no fee for switching from a paper document to a BRP.

If your ILE or ILR has lapsed while you have been overseas, you may be able to apply for a Returning Resident visa.

If family members also have a paper document


If they have indefinite leave to enter (ILE) or indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, your family members can also apply to switch from a paper document to a biometric residence permit (BRP).

Each person needs to complete and submit an individual application.

To apply for a new or replacement BRP or BRC, you will need to:

A separate application must be made for any dependants applying for a BRP or BRC.

You will be able to save your application and return to it later if you need more time.

How we use your data

The Home Office will use the personal information you provide to consider your application. We may also share your information with other public and private sector organisations in the UK and overseas. For more detail please see the Privacy Notice for the Border, Immigration and Citizenship system. This also sets out your rights under the Data Protection Act 2018 and explains how you can access your personal information and complain if you have concerns about how we are using it.

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