Once your visa has been granted

Applied outside of the UK

Once your visa has been granted you will be given a letter confirming this and a vignette (sticker) in your passport. If your application was for a visa that is six months or less then this vignette will be valid for your stay in the UK. If (in most cases) you were applying for a visa longer than six months then you will instead be given a vignette that is valid for 90 days. You must enter the UK within the 90 days of this visa and collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) once you have arrived.

What if I can’t travel to the UK within 90 days?

You will not be able to travel to the UK if the vignette has expired. You will need to make an application for a new vignette which will cost £154 using the online form. The visa type you need to select when making your application is BRP Vignette Transfer.

What is a BRP?

A biometric residence permit (BRP) is evidence of your immigration permission. It is proof of your right to live and study in the UK and has replaced the traditional stickers that are placed in your passport. Your BRP will contain your fingerprint data and a digital photograph.

How do I get my BRP?

The letter you are given once your visa is granted will tell you where and when you can collect your BRP. Your BRP must be collected from a post office within ten days of entering the UK. You will need the letter and your passport when you go to collect the BRP.

What happens if I lose my letter or passport or can’t collect my BRP?

If for whatever reason you are unable to collect your BRP then you need to report this to UKVI so they can provide you with information on what to do next. This can be reported through the UKVI website.

Applied inside the UK

Successful applications in the UK are a much simpler process. Once your visa has been granted your BRP will be posted to your correspondence address.