Expired BRP Use Extended to 2026: UKVI Account, eVisa and ID Checks

If your Biometric Residence Permit has expired, this does not automatically mean that your immigration permission has expired. The UK has moved from physical BRP cards to digital eVisas, and the Home Office has updated several guidance documents to extend the period during which some expired BRPs can still be used for limited immigration-related purposes.

The important change is this: in many situations, an expired BRP may now be used for up to 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card, or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first. This replaces the previous 18-month approach, which meant that many BRPs expiring on 31 December 2024 would have reached the practical cut-off point on 30 June 2026.

This update matters for people who still have valid immigration permission but have not yet accessed their eVisa, need to create or link a UK Visas and Immigration account, or are making a further application from inside the UK and cannot use a passport with the Home Office app.

You can read the main GOV.UK guidance here: Biometric residence permits (BRPs) on GOV.UK.

What has changed for expired BRPs?

The Home Office has confirmed on key GOV.UK pages that a person may be able to use an expired BRP for limited purposes for 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card, or until 31 December 2026, whichever is earlier.

This does not revive expired immigration permission. It only concerns the use of the physical BRP as an identity or account-access document in specific situations where the person still has underlying immigration status or is using the BRP in a permitted application process.

For example, a BRP that expired on 31 December 2024 may, where the relevant guidance allows it, be usable until 31 December 2026. A BRP that expired on 31 March 2025 may be usable until 31 March 2027 in pure 24-month terms, but the current Home Office long-stop date means the relevant cut-off is still 31 December 2026, unless the guidance changes again.

What can an expired BRP still be used for?

An expired BRP may be usable for limited purposes, including:

creating a UKVI account to access an eVisa;
signing in to view an eVisa and obtain a share code;
applying to extend permission to stay in the UK, where the relevant route and identity process allow this;
supporting biometric reuse in some in-country applications where the applicant has previously provided biometrics;
identity checks for some UK-based immigration-related tests, such as the Life in the UK test or an approved English language test, where the published test guidance permits this.

The exact use depends on the relevant process. A BRP may be accepted for one purpose but not for another. Applicants should not assume that an expired BRP is valid for travel, proof of status to every third party, or every identity check.

Can an expired BRP be used to create a UKVI account?

Yes, in many cases. GOV.UK states that when creating a UKVI account, a person may be able to use their expired BRP for 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card, or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first.

This is particularly important for people whose BRPs expired on 31 December 2024 and who still need to access their eVisa. The Home Office expects people with continuing immigration permission to move to digital status. If you already have a UKVI account, you should normally use the existing account rather than create a duplicate account.

Can an expired BRP be used with the UK Immigration: ID Check app?

In some application routes, applicants can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to confirm their identity. The Home Office has been updating guidance across the eVisa and BRP system, but some pages may not always be updated at the same time. For that reason, applicants should check the specific guidance for their route and the instructions shown during the online application process.

Where the route allows an expired BRP to be used, the updated position across several Home Office pages is now 24 months from the BRP expiry date or 31 December 2026, whichever is earlier. However, if the app or application form does not allow the BRP to be scanned or accepted, the applicant may need to verify identity another way or attend a biometric appointment.

Can an expired BRP be used to travel to the UK?

No. The expired BRP extension should not be treated as permission to travel. Expired BRPs and expired biometric residence cards are no longer accepted as evidence of immigration status for travel to the UK. Travellers should use their eVisa, linked identity document, and the appropriate digital status-checking process before travelling.

This is a common and serious misunderstanding. A person may still have valid immigration status, but an expired BRP is not the normal document to rely on at the border or with a carrier. Before travel, check that your eVisa is visible, your passport is linked to your UKVI account, and your personal details are correct.

Does an expired BRP mean my visa has expired?

No. The date printed on a BRP is not always the same as the date on which immigration permission ends. Many BRPs expired on 31 December 2024 because the UK moved to digital immigration status, even where the person’s actual permission continued beyond that date.

The key question is not simply whether the card has expired. The key question is whether you still have valid underlying immigration permission and whether your eVisa or Home Office decision confirms that status.

Who is most affected by this update?

This update is especially relevant to:

people whose BRP expired on 31 December 2024 and who have not yet created or accessed their UKVI account;
people with limited leave who need to apply for further permission from inside the UK;
people with indefinite leave who previously relied on a BRP and now need digital proof of status;
people whose passport cannot be used with the Home Office identity-checking app;
people preparing Life in the UK or English language tests and who cannot access their eVisa;
employers, landlords and education providers dealing with people who moved from BRPs to eVisas.

What if I still have not created a UKVI account?

You should deal with this urgently. If you still have valid immigration permission but have not accessed your eVisa, you may face practical difficulties proving your right to work, right to rent, immigration status, or ability to travel smoothly.

You may need to:

check whether you already have a UKVI account;
create a UKVI account if you do not already have one;
link your eVisa to your account;
check that your name, date of birth, nationality and immigration conditions are correct;
link your current passport or travel document to your UKVI account;
generate a share code when you need to prove your status.

Do not leave this until immediately before travel, a job start date, a tenancy check, a visa extension deadline or an application submission deadline.

What if there is a mistake on my eVisa?

If your eVisa shows the wrong expiry date, wrong conditions, wrong name, wrong nationality or other incorrect details, you should report the error using the Home Office process. In some cases, a wrong grant length or wrong conditions may need urgent action because they can affect work, study, rent, travel or the timing of the next immigration application.

If the issue relates to a decision made on an in-country application, administrative review may be available in some circumstances. Whether that is appropriate depends on the decision, the type of error, the date of the decision and the remedy required.

What if my expired BRP is lost or stolen?

If your BRP is lost or stolen, you should report it, even if the card has already expired. Once a BRP has been reported lost or stolen, it should not normally be used again if it is later found. You should instead focus on accessing and correcting your eVisa and ensuring your UKVI account details are up to date.

Common problems caused by the BRP to eVisa transition

The move from BRPs to eVisas has created several practical problems for migrants and their families. Common issues include:

not knowing whether a UKVI account already exists;
using the wrong email address or phone number for account access;
eVisa details not matching the passport or BRP;
old passports not being linked to the digital status correctly;
confusion between BRP expiry and visa expiry;
difficulty using the ID Check app;
being told to attend biometrics when the applicant expected biometric reuse;
problems generating a share code;
travel anxiety where the eVisa is not visible or not linked to the correct passport.

These issues should be resolved before any critical deadline. In immigration law, a technical access problem can become a serious practical problem if it affects the timing or validity of an application.

What should I do before applying to extend my stay?

Before making an application for further permission to stay in the UK, you should check:

the exact expiry date of your current immigration permission;
whether your eVisa correctly shows your status;
whether your UKVI account is accessible;
whether your current passport is linked to your account;
whether your route allows the use of the ID Check app;
whether your expired BRP can be used in the application process;
whether you need a UKVCAS appointment or can use biometric reuse;
whether your evidence is complete before submission.

The fact that an expired BRP can be used for a limited identity purpose does not extend your visa deadline. The application must still be made before your immigration permission expires, unless a specific legal exception applies.

Why this update matters for applicants with deadlines in 2026

The previous 18-month rule created a practical deadline of 30 June 2026 for many people whose BRPs expired on 31 December 2024. The updated 24-month/31 December 2026 approach gives more time for limited BRP-related identity and eVisa purposes, but it should not create complacency.

Applicants should treat the extension as a safety net, not a strategy. The safest approach is to set up and check the UKVI account, correct any eVisa errors, and prepare any required immigration application well before the relevant deadline.

When should you get legal advice?

You should consider legal advice if:

you cannot access your UKVI account;
your eVisa shows the wrong status, expiry date or conditions;
you are unsure whether your immigration permission is still valid;
you need to apply to extend your stay but cannot verify your identity online;
your passport has expired, been lost or changed;
you have indefinite leave but cannot prove it digitally;
you are planning international travel and your eVisa is not properly linked;
you are close to a visa, ILR, naturalisation or appeal deadline.

A careful legal check can help identify whether the issue is a simple UKVI account problem, an eVisa access problem, a status error, a validity issue in a pending application, or a more serious immigration problem.

How UK Immigration Law can help

We advise on BRP, eVisa and UKVI account issues where they affect immigration applications, status, deadlines, travel, work and long-term settlement planning. We can help you understand what your digital status shows, whether an application is needed, what evidence should be prepared and what risk should be addressed before submission.

We do not guarantee outcomes or Home Office processing times. We focus on careful legal analysis, accurate preparation and reducing avoidable risk.

Book an immigration consultation if you need advice about an expired BRP, eVisa access, a UKVI account problem or an upcoming application for further permission to stay.

FAQ

Can I still use my expired BRP in 2026?

You may be able to use an expired BRP for limited purposes for 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card, or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first. This does not mean the BRP can be used for every purpose, and it does not extend your immigration permission.

Can I use an expired BRP to create a UKVI account?

Yes, in many cases. GOV.UK states that an expired BRP can be used to create a UKVI account for 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card, or until 31 December 2026, whichever is earlier. If you already have a UKVI account, you should normally use that account rather than create a duplicate one.

Can I travel to the UK with an expired BRP?

No. The extension for expired BRP use is not a travel concession. You should not rely on an expired BRP as evidence of immigration status for travel to the UK. Before travelling, check that your eVisa is visible and linked to your current passport or travel document.

Does the expired BRP extension give me more time to apply for a visa extension?

No. The BRP extension concerns limited use of the expired card for identity, eVisa and account-related purposes. It does not extend your immigration permission. You must still apply before your actual leave expires, unless a specific legal exception applies.

What should I do if my eVisa details are wrong?

You should report the error to the Home Office and consider legal advice if the mistake affects your right to work, study, rent, travel, application deadline, visa conditions or length of permission. Some errors may need urgent correction before you make a further application or travel.

Legal disclaimer

This article provides general information about expired BRPs, eVisas and UKVI account access as at the date of legal review. It is not legal advice. The correct action depends on your immigration status, the document you hold, the application route, the deadline, the Home Office system used and any errors on your digital record. You should obtain legal advice before relying on an expired BRP in a time-sensitive immigration matter.

Last legally reviewed: 19 June 2026 By: Adam Sierant