Biometrics and biometric residence permits
Where and how to give your biometrics
What is a Biometric Residence Permit?
What to do if your Biometric Residence Permit is lost or stolen
Everyone who makes an application for a Tier 4 Student visa in the UK has to give biometric information (biometrics). If you apply by post, the UKBA will send you a letter telling you to give your biometrics at a participating Post Office. This entails having a finger scan and photograph taken.You do not need to make an appointment.
If you have chosen to make your application in person, you will give your biometrics when you attend the Public Enquiry Office for your appointment.
Your new Tier 4 Student visa will be on a credit card sized ID card called a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which has your photo on the front, together with information about how long you are allowed to stay in the UK and the University's sponsor licence number. It also shows whether you are allowed to do any work, and tells you if you are required to register with the police. The card includes a microchip which contains two of your fingerprints. Look after the card and make sure that you take it with you when you travel outside the UK.
There will be no sticker in your passport to show that you have valid immigration leave.
If you lose your card or it is stolen in the UK, you must apply for a new one.
If you lose your card or it is stolen outside the UK:
report the loss/theft to the local police and get a report
report the loss/theft to the UKBA on: (+44) 208 527 3623
apply for a single entry visa on form VAF9
state that you are applying because you have lost or had stolen your BRP
pay a £70 fee
submit your biometrics and the police report
do not book travel back to the UK until you have your visa- you will not be allowed to travel back to the UK until you get a single entry visa.
apply for a replacement BRP as soon as you return to the UK
UKBA information on biometric enrolment
How and where to enrol your biometrics
UKBA Leaflet on enrolling your biometrics