When you receive your permit, we advise you to make a photocopy of the front and back of it, in case it is lost or stolen. If you want to make another application in the future, you will need to send your permit to the UK Border Agency, so you may want to retain a copy for your records.

You must check your permit carefully when you receive it, to ensure that all the details on it are correct. If you find a mistake, you must email BRPError@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk within 10 working days of the date when you received the permit, otherwise you may be charged for a replacement and will need to apply for a replacement permit. In your email you should state:

• your full name;
• your date of birth;
• your nationality;
• your passport number;
• your biometric residence permit reference number;
• your case reference number;
• a contact telephone number; and
• what exactly is wrong with the permit.

If you do not provide all this information, there may be a delay in answering your query.

You can also send this information by post to:

Freepost RRYX-GLYU-GXHZ,
Returns Unit,
PO Box 163,
Bristol
BS20 1AB

If you have not received your permit 10 working days after the date on your letter from us extending your permission to stay in the UK, you should email BRPDelivery@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk. In your email you should state:

• your full name;
• your date of birth;
• your nationality;
• your passport number;
• your case reference number;
• the delivery address for the permit; and
• a contact telephone number.

If you do not provide all this information, there may be a delay in answering your query.

You can also send this information by post to:

Freepost RRYX-GLYU-GXHZ,
Returns Unit,
PO Box 163,
Bristol
BS20 1AB

You cannot ask about undelivered permits in person at our public enquiry offices or biometric enrolment centres.

Courier deliveries

Your biometric residence permit will be securely delivered by courier to the address you have provided to us. When it is delivered, you must sign for it and show identification such as your passport or driving licence. If you are not present when the permit is delivered, the courier will leave a calling card containing contact details so you can rearrange delivery. You must contact the courier as soon as possible.

If you do not rearrange delivery, the courier will send you a reminder letter. If you still do not rearrange delivery of your permit, the courier will attempt a second delivery. If you are still not present and the courier cannot deliver your permit to you, the courier will notify us of the failed delivery.

We will then send a reminder letter to you advising you to contact the courier as soon as possible to rearrange delivery. We will hold your permit until you make contact to request delivery, or until it reaches its expiry date. If you do not contact us and your permit reaches its expiry date, it will be cancelled and destroyed. You will then have no permission to stay in the UK, and we will send another letter informing you that, if you intend to remain in the UK, you must make a new application for permission to stay and provide your biometric information.

Your biometric residence permit is evidence of your permission to stay in the UK, and shows the conditions of your stay. It enables you to confirm your identity and confirm your right to study and/or work here, and to access public services.

You must show the permit to your employer or approved education provider before you start to work or study.

You must take your permit with you if you go abroad while you have permission to stay in the UK. You may need to show the permit to an immigration officer at the border when you leave the UK. You will also need to show it as well as your valid national passport or travel document before you begin your return journey, and again when you re-enter the UK. The permit proves that you are allowed to return to the UK, but it cannot be used instead of a passport or travel document.

If your biometric residence permit is lost or stolen, inside or outside the UK, you must report the loss or theft to us as soon as possible by emailing BRPLost@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk so that we can cancel your biometric residence permit. You are required by law to do this. In your email you must state:

• your full name;
• your date of birth;
• your nationality;
• your passport number;
• your biometric residence permit reference number;
• your case reference number;
• your contact details; and
• when, where and how the permit was lost or stolen.

If you do not provide all this information, there may be a delay in answering your query.

You must also report the loss or theft to the police, and get a police report and crime reference number, as soon as possible.

If your biometric residence permit is lost or stolen when you are in the UK, you must apply for another permit within 3 months of reporting the loss or theft of your original permit, using the BRP(RC)  form which you can download with the guidance on the right side of this page.

If your permit is lost or stolen when you are outside the UK, you must apply for a Replacement BRP visa in order to re-enter the UK. The Replacement BRP visa page explains what you need to do. When you have returned to the UK you must apply for a new biometric residence permit using the BRP(RC) form which you can download with the guidance on the right side of this page.

If you have been outside the UK for less than 3 months you must apply for a new biometric residence permit within 3 months of informing us your document was lost or stolen.

If you have been outside the UK for more than 3 months you must apply for a new biometric residence permit immediately using the BRP(RC) form which you can download with the guidance on the right side of this page.

If you do not apply for a replacement permit, you may have to pay a financial penalty of up to £1,000, or we may curtail (shorten) your permission to stay.

You must tell us as soon as you can if:

• you change your name (for example, because of marriage or by deed poll);
• you change your gender, legally or permanently;
• you change your nationality; or 
• your facial appearance changes significantly.

If you change any personal details listed above or any details shown on your biometric residence permit, you must apply for a new permit within 3 months using application form BRP(RC). If you do not do this, you may have to pay a financial penalty of up to £1,000 or we may curtail (shorten) your permission to stay. You can download the application form and guidance from the right side of this page.

Change of address

You can tell us about a change to your UK contact details or your legal representative's details, using our online forms. You can find these forms on the Change of address page.

Change of circumstances

You must tell us immediately by phoning 0870 606 7766 if:

• you change your circumstances so you no longer qualify to stay under the Immigration Rules that were in place when we gave you permission to stay in the UK; or
• you are a student and you change your course and/or education provider (sponsor).

You must tell us immediately by emailing BRPError@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk if you know or suspect that:

• the information held on your permit is untrue, misleading or incomplete;
• someone has used your permit with or without your permission; or
• your permit has been damaged or tampered with.

In your email you should state:

• your full name;
• your date of birth;
• your nationality;
• your passport number;
• your biometric residence permit reference number;
• your case reference number;
• a contact telephone number; and
• what exactly has happened to the permit.

If you do not provide all this information, there may be a delay in answering your query.

You can also send this information by post to:

Freepost RRYX-GLYU-GXHZ,
Returns Unit,
PO Box 163,
Bristol
BS20 1AB