Don’t panic if BRP is lost/expired: eVisa switches to the entire emergency self-rescue process
At the Manchester Airport in the early morning, a sister with a permanent residence card rummaged through her luggage and found that the BRP (Biometric Residence Card) that had been with her for five years was missing. Her hand holding the boarding pass was shaking: How to prove her identity? Can I still go back to the UK?
This kind of scene should no longer cause you to lose sleep in 2026. Because the rules have changed - BRP is withdrawing from the stage of history, eVisa (electronic visa) is your real "digital ID card" now. Today I will talk about the three things of card loss, expiration and transfer to eVisa at once.
BRP is history: eVisa is your proof of identity
The UK immigration system is fully digitalised. Home Office will no longer issue new physical BRP cards. Your residence status (including permanent residence ILR, work visa, spouse visa, etc.) now exists in the form of online eVisa, which can be viewed through your UKVI account .
📌 Two key dates: from June 2, 2025 , expired BRP can no longer be used to enter the UK; expired BRP can be used up to December 31, 2026 (or 24 months after expiry, whichever comes first) - but only for limited purposes, and travel must use eVisa.
So the first thing, whether you have lost your card or not: immediately go to gov.uk/evisa to create and log in to the UKVI account , and bind eVisa to your passport. Setup is completely free, don’t rely on any paid agencies. You can see your status in your account, which is your "peace of mind" for all future troubles.
BRP card lost/stolen: in the UK vs overseas
Situation 1: You are in the UK . If you have been able to log in to your UKVI account normally and see eVisa - good news. Losing your card will basically not affect your identity proof. Your identity is online. However, according to regulations, if BRP is lost or stolen, must report it to Home Office within 3 months. Overdue fines may be up to £1,000.
⚠️ Note: Once reported as lost, this card will be permanently invalidated and , and it cannot be used again even if it is recovered later. So make sure it’s really lost before reporting it. If you just leave it at home and can't find it, look for it calmly first.
Situation 2: You are outside the UK and you cannot get your card back if you lose it. This is the most heart-wrenching scene. Important thing to remember: Home Office will no longer reissue physical BRP card . Under normal circumstances, you should use your passport + eVisa (online status) to board the flight back to the UK.
Only when you really cannot access eVisa online and cannot update your UKVI account, you need to apply for a "replacement BRP visa" (temporary visa/vignette). The cost is about £154, and it is only for you to enter the UK at one time. After returning to the UK, you still have to set up eVisa.
This is why we repeatedly emphasize: before leaving the country, you must first confirm that eVisa can log in normally and that the current passport has been bound. By sorting out your digital identity, you will be confident when you lose your card overseas, instead of being hit by a double blow of £154 and missed flights.
What should I do if I cannot log in to eVisa or there is an error in my UKVI account?
Digitization is not without bugs. Frequently asked questions: My passport has not been updated, my email address/mobile phone number has changed and I cannot receive the verification code, the status display is wrong, and the information does not match the actual situation. Check yourself first:
To change your passport or contact information, go to gov.uk/evisa/update-ukvi-account and update it yourself. This step is free and many people ignore it. If the status is wrong or you cannot log in, please contact eVisa Resolution Center (Resolution Center) : 0300 790 6268 in the UK, +44 (0)203 875 4669 outside the country, or use the official webchat.
💡 Practical Tips: Every time you call or communicate online, must ask for and write down the "Incident Number" . This is your voucher for subsequent rights protection and reminders. When it comes to important status such as permanent residence, communication is extremely important.
How to use eVisa to prove visa status in daily life: share code
Without a physical card, how can I prove my renting a house, joining a job, and completing formalities? The answer is share code (share code) . Log in to gov.uk's "View and prove your immigration status" and select the purpose - Right to Work (right to work) or Right to Rent (right to rent) - to generate a sharing code.
This code is valid for 90 days and can be used repeatedly during this period. Give this to your employer or landlord along with your date of birth and they can verify your identity online. Note: Sharing codes for work purposes and rental purposes are not universal, and the corresponding type of code is generated as needed.
3-step emergency action checklist (especially for permanent residents)
Step one : Go to gov.uk/evisa today to create a UKVI account, log in to confirm eVisa, and bind your current passport. Even if you are still stuck and haven’t crossed the border yet, get rid of it first.
Step 2 : Before leaving the country, check again that eVisa can log in and that the passport number is the same; if the card is lost, report it within 3 months in the UK. From abroad, priority is given to boarding with eVisa. If you cannot visit, you will spend £154 to apply for a temporary visa.
Step 3: Save the Resolution Center phone number in your mobile phone and keep the Incident Number in case of problems. For friends who are accumulating the number of days of permanent residence, the continuity of identity cannot be interrupted - the entry and exit records can be calculated to the day using 永居计算器APP to avoid the hidden danger of "180 days exceeding the standard" or identity blank window.
This article is for reference only. The eVisa system is still in the transition period and individual cases vary greatly. For specific questions, please refer to the latest announcement of GOV.UK, or consult a licensed attorney.
💬 have you switched to eVisa? Let’s chat in the comment area: What pitfalls have you encountered when logging in to your UKVI account—did you not receive the verification code, your passport was not updated, or the status display was wrong? Your experience might just help the next panicked person.
If you find it useful, please forward it to your friends who are also applying for British permanent residence and visas, so that more people will not be in a hurry when they lose their card.
[Data source] gov.uk/evisa; gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits; homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/04/17/media-factsheet-evisas