Foreign nationals from outside the European economic Area intending to stay in Britain for more than six months must have a biometric residence permit (BRP) when they apply to come to the UK.
Information for the BRP is gathered automatically from personal data declared as part of a visa or immigration application.
The procedure brings UK immigration documents in line with those issues by other countries in the European Economic Area (EEA).
Who needs to apply for a biometric residence permit?
Anyone from outside the EEA wanting to stay in the UK for more than six months – the specific main groups are migrants wanting to live permanently in the UK, students and international workers.
The BRP also applies to anyone applying for a visa based on points or for a settlement visa.
How do I get a BRP?
Long-term visitors are offered a 30-day visa in their passport and must come to Britain before this visa expires.
Within 10 days of arriving, they must go to a Post Office nominated when they applied for a visa to collect the BRP by presenting your passport and 30-day visa.
If long-term visitors do not have a BRP, they do not have proof of residence to work, study or use public services in Britain.
What is biometric information?
Biometric information is data such as fingerprints and a photograph of your face
What information is on a BRP?
Besides biometric data, the card has your name and date of birth, immigration status and any conditions of residence and permission to access public services, such as health care and benefits.
BRP and Right to Rent
A pilot scheme is already running in Birmingham and other West Midlands towns and cities that obliges non EEA nationals to produce a BRP to landlords when they rent a private home. If they do not have the proof of right to rent, the landlord commits an offence if he lets them stay in a rented home.
Later this year, the scheme will be extended to all of England.
Will I still need a passport?
Yes. The BRP is a part of the documentation you will need to enter and leave the UK
