Home Office extends expired BRP validity until end of 2026
The UK Home Office announced on 9 June that Biometric Residence Permits expiring in 2026 will remain valid proof of immigration status until 31 December 2026.
Home Office Extends Expired BRP Concession Until End of 2026, announced 9 June 2026. This extension provides breathing room for thousands of foreign nationals who hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or other forms of indefinite leave to remain, whose physical BRP cards are expiring this year.
Why BRPs are being phased out
The UK is moving away from physical immigration documents and towards a fully digital system. Most people with settled or pre-settled status already access their status online via their UKVI account. However, many still rely on their BRP card as physical proof of their right to live and work in the UK, especially when dealing with landlords, employers, or banks who are unfamiliar with digital status checks.
The Home Office originally planned to phase out BRPs by the end of 2024, but implementation delays and the volume of cardholders requiring transition led to repeated extensions.
What you need to do
If your BRP expires in 2026, it will remain valid as proof of your immigration status until 31 December 2026—but only if your underlying immigration permission itself is still valid (e.g. you have settled status, indefinite leave to remain, or a valid visa). You do not need to apply for a replacement BRP. Instead, create or access your UKVI online account at gov.uk and share your digital immigration status with employers, landlords, and others using the online 'prove your right to work' or 'prove your right to rent' services. If you haven't already linked your BRP to your online account, do so now to avoid last-minute stress later this year.
