Guidance for people with indefinite leave says an expired biometric residence permit (BRP) can be used for 24 months after its printed expiry date or until 31 December 2026, whichever is first, from 8 June 2026.
Key facts
- Who: People settled in the UK whose BRP says "Indefinite leave to enter" or "No time limit", and others with permission to stay longer than their BRP's expiry date
- From: 8 June 2026
- Source: Indefinite leave to remain in the UK: your rights and status
The Home Office guidance on indefinite leave to remain (ILR) now states that all BRPs are expired. It says a BRP can still be used for 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card, or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first.
The guidance says that if you are settled in the UK, your BRP will say either "Indefinite leave to enter" or "No time limit".
The Home Office says it is replacing physical documents, such as BRPs and vignette stickers, with a digital record of immigration status, known as an eVisa. Anyone with permission to stay in the UK for longer than the expiry date of their BRP needs to create an account to get an eVisa. Access to an eVisa is not set up automatically.
The guidance advises keeping an expired BRP, as it may help with future applications to stay in the UK. It also says to update your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account if your name or gender changes, or if your facial appearance changes significantly.
For travel, the guidance says that anyone whose BRP or biometric residence card (BRC) expired on or after 31 December 2024 needs an eVisa to demonstrate permission to travel to the UK. Before travelling internationally, it says to:
- set up access to your eVisa by creating a UKVI account, if you have not already
- make sure your current travel document is linked to your UKVI account
You will still need to carry your current passport or travel document. The guidance also says to get a share code to prove your status before you travel, as your carrier may ask for it. A share code is valid for 90 days.
If a BRP is lost or stolen in the UK, the loss or theft must be reported to the Home Office, and the BRP will be cancelled. If it is lost or stolen abroad, it must be reported, and you may need to apply for a temporary visa to return to the UK.
What this means for applicants
An expired BRP can be used only until 24 months after the date printed on the card or 31 December 2026, whichever is earlier. If you have permission to stay beyond your BRP's expiry date, create a UKVI account to get an eVisa; it will not be set up for you. If your BRP expired on or after 31 December 2024, you need an eVisa to travel to the UK, with your current travel document linked to your account.