Lost or stolen documentation

Find out what to do if your biometric residence permit (BRP) and passport are lost or stolen.

Biometric residence permits

Biometric residence permits (BRPs) are cards that were used to prove immigration status. You might have a BRP if you were granted permission to live or work in the UK on or before 31 October 2024.

All BRPs have now expired and have been replaced by eVisas. An eVisa is a digital record of your identity and immigration status.

If you have an expired BRP and still have permission to stay in the UK, you need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to get access to your eVisa.

Passports

See our guidance if your passport is stolen or lost in the UK or overseas.

In the UK
  1. Report the loss or theft to the police by one of the following:
    - Call your local police by dialling 101.
    - Report it using virtual bumblebee (for Surrey police only)
    - Visit a local police station and report the loss or theft in person.
    You will need a police reference or a crime reference number.
  2. Contact your embassy in order to get a replacement passport.

If your visa was in the form of a vignette in your passport then you will need to make a transfer application once you receive your new passport.

Further information

Overseas
  1. Report the loss or theft to the police.
    You will need a police reference or crime reference number.
  2. Apply for a new passport at the nearest embassy for your country in order to return to the UK.
  3. Apply for a vignette transfer to get a replacement UK visa printed inside your new passport if your passport did contain your current UK visa. Use the additional information section of the application form to explain why you are applying for a transfer. This should include:
  • That your passport containing your immigration permission was lost or stolen
  • Police reports
  • Information about your new passport or emergency travel document
  • A copy of your old passport and immigration permission
  • A confirmation of attendance letter from the University that confirms you are a registered student.

    Please note, you will need to enrol your biometric information again as part of the application.

Further information

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