On Friday afternoon, I was packing my luggage to go back to my country. I rummaged through my wallet and couldn't find the familiar blue card - BRP (Biometric Residence Permit, biometric residence card) was missing . The plane ticket came two days later, and my heart sank to the bottom. This is probably a nightmare that many Chinese in the UK have had.
The good news is: today in 2026, the loss of BRP is no longer a matter of "the sky is falling". Because the British identification system has been fully digitized, your real identity certificate is no longer the card, but the online Visa. This article breaks down emergency response into three steps and explains them clearly.
First understand: BRP has been stopped, eVisa is your true identity
The Ministry of the Interior (Home Office) no longer issues new or reissued BRP cards, and the physical card reissue service has been closed. The expiration date printed on the face of most people's BRP cards is December 31, 2024 - this does not mean that your visa has expired, just that the card has expired. Your residence status now exists intact in the UKVI online account , which is also eVisa.
📌 Key point: Lost card ≠ Lost identity. What really needs to be done is not to "replace the card", but to ensure that you can log in and retrieve eVisa.
Step 1: Should I report the loss of BRP? the newspaper
Many people think that cards have expired and the system has been digitized, so if they are lost, they are lost. However, GOV.UK clearly requires that: Even if the BRP has expired, the loss or theft of the must be reported to the Ministry of the Interior. Failure to report could theoretically result in a fine of up to £1,000, and could even affect future visa applications.
Don’t delay the time limit: if you are in the UK, you should report the loss or theft within within 3 months; if you are overseas, you should hand the card to the local police or the nearest British embassy or consulate, or you can entrust a lawyer, family member, employer or school to report it on your behalf. After reporting, the Home Office will usually contact you within one working day.
Step 2: How to create a UKVI account and get eVisa without BRP?
If you haven’t set up a UKVI account yet, don’t panic, you can still set up one without an BRP card. Search GOV.UK for "get access to your eVisa" and registration is completely free. You need to prepare:
• A commonly used mobile phone number and email address (used to receive verification codes each time you log in);
• Valid passport ;
• Your visa application number (GWF or UAN). If you can’t remember it clearly, you can look up old application emails or decision letters.
Then download the official "UK Immigration: ID Check" App, scan your passport and take a clear selfie to complete the identity verification. No physical card is required for the entire process.
If you have lost even the old mobile phone and old email address you used to log in to your account, follow the "account recovery" process on GOV.UK, or contact UKVI's Resolution Center (see GOV.UK for the official hotline number) to apply for offline recovery. Do not register new accounts repeatedly by yourself.
Step 3: Before traveling, use eVisa share code to prove your identity
If I lose my card, can I still leave the country and return to the UK? able. After logging into your UKVI account, generate the share code (share code) . Just submit it together with your passport to the airline or border official for verification before traveling. Please note: the sharing code is valid for 90 days. Be sure to select the corresponding purpose such as "Proof to employer/landlord/travel". Don't select the wrong category.
✈️ Practical operations before traveling: ① Confirm that the passport is the one bound to the account; ② Generate the share code in advance and save the screenshot; ③ Write down the number separately, so you can register even when the network is not good.
For those who are applying for permanent residence (ILR), here is a reminder: the residence record in eVisa will be directly related to your proof of continuous residence. If anything goes wrong during the identity switching period, it’s best to keep a screenshot. If you want to calculate the number of entry-exit days and permanent residence time to the nearest day, you can use 永居计算器 APP. If the situation is complicated and you are not sure, it is safer to consult with our licensed lawyers.
This article is for reference only. Please consult a licensed immigration attorney for specific cases.
write at the end
Have you ever encountered a frustrating moment when BRP is lost, or eVisa cannot be logged in, or share code generation fails? Let’s talk about how you solved it in the comment area . Your experience may just help the next person who is rummaging through their wallet. If you find it useful, collect this article . When something goes wrong, turn it out and follow the three steps. Don’t panic.
[Data source] GOV.UK: gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits; gov.uk/get-access-evisa
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