Frequently Asked Questions

A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is an immigration document issued by the UK Home Office that proves your right to stay, work, or study in the UK. While primarily for UK residency purposes, it can also help with international travel in two ways:

1. Visa-free access to certain countries: Some countries recognize a valid UK BRP as sufficient for entry without requiring a separate visa. This currently includes around 37 countries worldwide.
2. Proof of UK residency: The BRP helps establish your ties to the UK, which can be beneficial when applying for visas to other countries.

Note that the UK is now transitioning from physical BRP cards to digital immigration status, but the benefits for international travel remain similar.

No. You must always have your passport for international travel. The BRP card is not a travel document on its own, and airlines will deny boarding if you only present a BRP.

For most European countries (especially those in the Schengen Area), your nationality determines whether you need a visa. The BRP does not override Schengen visa requirements. If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, you'll still need one regardless of having a UK BRP.

However, some European countries outside the Schengen Area do offer visa-free access to UK BRP holders, including:

• Albania (90 days)
• Montenegro (30 days)
• Georgia (90 days)
• Serbia (90 days)
• North Macedonia (15 days)
• Gibraltar (21 days)

Always carry both your valid passport and BRP when traveling.

No, not by itself. Schengen visa requirements are based entirely on your citizenship, not your UK residence status. A UK BRP does not override Schengen visa requirements.

If you are from a country that requires a Schengen visa (such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, etc.), you will still need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit countries like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc., even if you have a valid UK BRP.

However, having a UK BRP can sometimes be advantageous when applying for a Schengen visa as it demonstrates your ties to the UK and may result in being granted a longer-validity multiple-entry visa.

The UK is phasing out physical BRP cards in favor of digital immigration status (eVisa). Your travel rights remain similar, but there are some practical differences:

• Proof of status: You'll need to access your digital status through the online service and may need to show this to immigration officials or airlines. Having a printed confirmation of your status is recommended.
• Visa-free travel: Countries that previously accepted physical BRPs are generally expected to accept digital proof of UK status similarly, but implementation may vary.
• Airline checks: Airlines are adapting to digital immigration status, but you may need to explain and show proof of your digital status during check-in.

We recommend carrying:

1. A printout of your digital immigration status
2. Your passport
3. Access to the UK government's "View and Prove" service via your smartphone if possible

To prove your UK digital immigration status while traveling:

1. Access your online status: Visit gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status before traveling.
2. Print confirmation: Print a copy of your status confirmation, showing your details, type of status, and validity period.
3. Save digital proof: Save screenshots or a PDF of your status information on your phone.
4. Share code option: Know how to generate a "share code" that officials can use to verify your status online if needed.

When dealing with foreign immigration officers who may be unfamiliar with the UK digital system, having a printed document often works better than trying to explain digital verification processes.

When traveling internationally with a UK BRP, you should always carry:

• Valid passport: Your passport from your country of nationality (must be valid for at least 3-6 months depending on destination)
• UK BRP or digital status proof: Physical BRP card (if you still have one) or printed confirmation of your digital immigration status
• Return or onward tickets: Many countries require proof that you will leave their territory
• Proof of sufficient funds: Bank statements or cash to support yourself during your stay
• Accommodation proof: Hotel bookings or invitation letters for some destinations

Important: Physical BRP cards are valid for UK entry until June 1, 2025, even if they show an expiry date of December 31, 2024.

For UK entry: Yes, until June 1, 2025. The UK government has extended the validity of expired BRP cards showing December 31, 2024 expiry dates to allow time for the transition to digital status.

For international travel: This depends on the destination country's requirements. Some considerations:

• Many countries that accept UK BRPs specify that the BRP must be "valid" - they may not be aware of the UK's extension
• Immigration officers abroad may be confused by expired-looking BRP cards
• It's safer to obtain proof of your digital immigration status rather than rely on an expired-looking BRP

We recommend transitioning to digital status proof and carrying a printout of your current UK immigration status when traveling internationally.

The main European countries that offer visa-free access to UK BRP holders include:

Country	Duration	Key Conditions
Albania	90 days	Must have used UK visa at least once
Montenegro	30 days	Not longer than visa validity if less than 30 days
Georgia	90 days	Within 180 days period
Serbia	90 days	Within a 6-month period
North Macedonia	15 days	UK visa must be valid 5+ days beyond stay
Gibraltar	21 days	Multiple-entry UK visa valid 6+ months required

Important note: These countries are not part of the Schengen Area. Most European countries (including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc.) require visas based on your nationality, not your UK status.

No. A UK BRP does not grant you visa-free access to the United States. Entry to the USA is determined solely by your nationality, not your UK residence status.

If you're from a country that participates in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), like most Western European countries, Japan, Australia, etc., you can apply for an ESTA. If your nationality is not eligible for the VWP, you must apply for a US visa regardless of having a UK BRP.

The closest North American countries that do accept UK BRP holders visa-free are:

• Mexico (180 days)
• Panama (90 days, with permanent UK residency)

The Caribbean region offers the most visa-free destinations for UK BRP holders. Countries include:

• Barbados - 180 days
• Bahamas - 90 days
• Antigua and Barbuda - 180 days
• Saint Kitts and Nevis - 90 days
• Saint Lucia - 90 days
• Grenada - 90 days
• Bermuda - 90 days
• Jamaica - 30 days
• Trinidad and Tobago - varies
• Dominican Republic - 30 days (leisure only)
• Various British Overseas Territories like Turks & Caicos, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands

Most Caribbean destinations accept UK BRP holders regardless of nationality and allow tourism/business visits.

Yes, for some countries it does matter. While many countries that accept UK BRPs do so regardless of your nationality, some have nationality-specific limitations:

• United Arab Emirates: 14-day visa-free access specifically for Indian citizens with UK BRP
• Oman: Visa on arrival primarily for Indian nationals with UK BRP
• Philippines: 14-day visa-free access for certain nationals with a UK visa
• Morocco: Recently updated rules for specific nationalities with UK visas

Other countries like Mexico, Montenegro, and most Caribbean nations accept UK BRP holders regardless of nationality. Always check the specific requirements for your nationality before travel.

No. Visa-free access with a UK BRP is generally for tourist or short business visit purposes only. In most cases, you cannot:

• Work for a local employer
• Enroll in formal educational programs
• Establish permanent residence
• Engage in paid activities

Permitted activities typically include:

• Tourism and leisure
• Visiting friends and family
• Attending business meetings (but not working)
• Attending conferences or short courses

If you want to work or study in a country, you must apply for the appropriate visa or permit, regardless of BRP-based visa-free access.

Yes, many countries have limitations to prevent abuse of visa-free access:

• Georgia: 90 days within any 180-day period
• Serbia: 90 days within any 6-month period
• Albania: Similar restrictions may apply, though less clearly defined
• Caribbean countries: Generally allow re-entry but may question frequent visits

Immigration officers may deny entry if they suspect you're:

• Using tourist access to effectively live in the country
• Working illegally during your stays
• Making excessively frequent or lengthy visits

Always be prepared to show evidence of genuine tourism/business purposes and ties to the UK.

Airlines will never let you board with just a BRP - you must always have your passport. However, when traveling to countries that accept UK BRP holders visa-free, you may need to show both documents:

1. Your passport: Primary identification and travel document
2. Your BRP/digital status proof: To demonstrate visa-free eligibility

Airline check-in staff use a system called Timatic to verify document requirements. Some challenges you might face:

• Staff unfamiliar with BRP-based visa exemptions
• Timatic not being fully updated with latest visa policies
• Confusion about digital immigration status vs. physical BRP

To avoid issues:

• Arrive early for check-in
• Have printed evidence of the destination's visa policy for UK BRP holders
• Have embassy/consulate contact information ready if needed
• Consider contacting the airline in advance to confirm requirements

If airline staff are unfamiliar with BRP-based visa exemptions:

1. Stay calm and polite: Airline staff want to help but must follow regulations
2. Show official documentation: Present printed embassy information or official government websites confirming the visa exemption
3. Ask for a supervisor: Senior staff may have more experience with unusual document combinations
4. Contact the destination's embassy: They can provide official confirmation of their visa policy
5. Reference official sources: Point to government websites that list UK BRP as acceptable for entry

Helpful resources to carry:

• Printed embassy visa information pages
• Screenshots of official government visa policy pages
• Contact information for destination country's UK embassy
• IATA Travel Centre information if available

If all else fails, contact your destination's embassy directly from the airport for official confirmation.