The information on this webpage provides guidance on what to do if your passport or BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) is lost or stolen.
If you find yourself in the situation of having lost your passport, visa, or BRP card while you're in or outside the UK, it is important to take the necessary steps to replace your missing documents.
Depending on your specific circumstances, please follow the steps below and feel free to reach out to us if you encounter any difficulties or require further guidance.
If your BRP is lost or stolen outside the UK
If your BRP is lost or stolen, promptly report the loss or theft to the local police and obtain a police report. Then, inform the UKVI about the loss or theft of your BRP.
You cannot apply for a replacement BRP outside the UK. Instead, you will need to apply for a 'replacement BRP visa' in order to re-enter the UK. This will allow you to enter the UK once. This visa costs £154.
Once you have used the replacement BRP visa to re-enter the UK, you must apply for a replacement BRP within one month of arriving. You can be fined up to £1,000 and made to leave the UK if you do not apply within this period.
If your passport is lost/stolen outside the UK
Contact your country's embassy or high commission in the country where you are now, to arrange for a replacement passport.
If your immigration permission was granted through an entry clearance or residence permit sticker (vignette) that covered the entire duration of your stay in the UK, you will be required to apply for a "Vignette Transfer." For further details, refer to the guidance provided by UKVI
If your BRP is lost or stolen inside the UK
Only report your lost BRP to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if you are sure it is lost as once you report it, it will be cancelled and will no longer be valid, even if you later find it.
If your BRP was valid for three months or more, the reporting and replacement procedures are combined into one online process. Refer to the information provided on the gov.uk website regarding lost or stolen BRPs. You should follow this process promptly after noticing the loss or theft of your BRP and reporting it to the police. According to the Home Office website, you should report and replace the BRP within three months of the incident.
It is mandatory to apply for a replacement BRP if you have more than three months of valid visa remaining. Failing to do so may result in fines, cancellation of visa, and potential impact on future immigration applications to the UK.
If your BRP has a validity of 3 months or less, you must take one of the following actions:
- report it as lost or stolen if you do not intend to stay in the UK after its expiry date.
- apply for a replacement if you intend to leave and return to the UK within 3 months of its expiry date.
- apply to extend your visa if you wish to remain in the UK after its expiry date. If approved, you will automatically receive a new BRP.
If your passport is lost/stolen inside the UK
If your passport has been lost or stolen, it is important to report the incident to the police without delay. You can do this by visiting your local police station or online. You will receive a Police reference number or a crime reference number and you may also receive a Police report. Please note that if your passport is lost or damaged, you will not receive a crime reference number. For more information, please refer to the Metropolitan website or your local police website.
To obtain a replacement passport, please contact your embassy in London. If your passport was stolen, you may be required to provide your police report, so ensure that you keep a copy for reference.
If you need more information or advice, please contact International Student Advice Service . All advice provided by the International Student Advice Service is free and confidential.
