UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) Post Office collection
📮 Collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a UK Post Office is an essential step in your immigration journey.
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What is a BRP?
A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is an identification card issued by the UK government for anyone that comes to live in the UK. You do not have to apply separately for a BRP as you’ll get one automatically if your visa or immigration application is approved.
BRPs come as a card that is a similar in size to a credit card and has personal details (name, date and place of birth) and biometric information (facial image and fingerprints).
What is BRP post office collection?
You will need to collect your BRP shortly after your arrival in the UK. This needs to be done before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.
How do I collect my BRP?
Your BRP will be available for collection from a Post Office within the UK. You will receive a letter from the Home Office or the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as part of your visa application that will inform you of the exact collection location of your BRP. The letter will also contain a collection code that you will need to bring with you to the collection point, along with your passport or travel document.
Which post office has my BRP?
If you have received a decision letter stating that your BRP has been delivered to a Post Office branch, you should go to the Post Office branch that was selected during the visa application process.
The collection location of the Post Office will be decided based on the collection address that you entered as your UK address in your visa application. The closest Post Office to this address will be selected.
If you are unsure which Post Office branch was selected, you can check your visa application form or contact the Home Office helpline (+44 300 123 2412) for further assistance.
When do I need to collect my BRP?
As soon as possible. You must collect your BRP within 10 days of arriving in the UK, or before your vignette sticker expires, whichever comes later.
It's also important to collect your BRP as soon as possible, as you won't be able to carry out certain activities (such as work or study) until you have it.
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What if the post office doesn't have my BRP?
Strangely, it's not that uncommon for the BRP to not be available at the post office during the stated window. It's unclear as to why some movers BRPs are available and other's aren't.
Steps to take 👇
- Speak to the people in the post office (the people working there will have seen this situation before)
- Over the coming days, continue to check if the BRP has arrived
- Report it missing on the GOV.UK BRP service if it isn’t there within 2 weeks
- Prove your immigration status with a share code
Everyone's situation will be different but rest assured the problem can be solved. If you want to speak to someone at the UK Home Office's dedicated BRP helpline, contact +44 300 123 2412. They will be able to advise you on the next steps to take and any updates on your missing BRP.
Can I change the location of my BRP pickup?
As a priority, you should visit the Post Office within the stated window to collect your BRP. However, if for some reason you can't, it may be possible to change the location of your BRP pickup if you haven't collected it yet.
Find a Post Office that offers BRP services online 📍
- Visit the Post Office website
- Select the postcode and address where you want the BRP to be sent
- Select 'Home Office Services - BRP Card Collection Service'
Visit the Post Office in person 🚶♀️
You must go into the Post Office and speak with the staff to organise the BRP collection transfer and pay the postage fee. Appointments aren't necessary, but it is necessary you bring along the supporting documents (passport, letters, etc).
Wait for your BRP to be transferred and collect 📮
The staff in the Post Office will give you a new collection code to collect your BRP from the new location. You will also receive a tracking code so that you know when the BRP is available for collection.
Now that I have it, what do I need my BRP for?
You will need to show a BRP whenever you need to prove your right to live and work/study in the UK.
Examples include:
- UK border control when entering the country
- Proof of right to work with an employer
- Taking out a rental lease on a home
- Applying for a UK drivers license
- Applying for a National Insurance Number
Is there any other way I can prove my immigration status without my BRP?
If there has been an issue with the collection of your BRP, GOV.UK will help you to view and prove your immigration status in the UK. The service is free to use, all you will need to provide is some personal information to verify your identity including;
- Details of the identity document you use to sign in to your UKVI account
- Date of birth
- Access to the mobile number or email address you use to sign in to your UKVI account
This will generate a share code that can be used to:
- Prove your immigration status to employers
- Update personal details in your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
- Check what rights you have in the UK
