Digital Immigration Status
EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals applying anywhere and non-visa nationals (any nationality not on this list) applying inside the UK using the ID Check app, will be granted a digital immigration status. You will receive a decision letter which confirms the visa granted to you and details of accessing your digital status.
Do not travel to the UK prior to the start of your UK Student visa valid from date. Any student who enters the UK prior to the start of their UK Student visa will need to depart the UK and return again after the Student visa start date.
The University requires those who hold a digital status to provide a sharecode and evidence of their date of entry to the UK (boarding card/flight ticket) to register for their programme.
Guidance about a digital status is available here.
Errors on your digital status
If after receiving your visa and checking your digital status online, you believe there is an error, for example you have not been issued a visa to 4 months after your course end date or the work conditions are wrong you must take action immediately to correct the error. Please contact IAG for details of how to correct an error on a digital status.
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is your visa, given in the form of a card, similar to a bank card or driving licence – A BRP is given to those nationalities who are not eligible for a digital status. The BRP replaces the vignette visa which is stuck in your passport. The BRP is evidence of your full UK Student visa. The BRP holds a chip that will contain the electronic information such as the photograph of your face and the fingerprint scans of both index fingers on your right and left hands that you gave when applying for the visa.
The purpose of the vignette is to allow you to enter the UK to collect BRP. The vignette in your passport will only be valid for up to 90 days. The 90 days will start from seven days before your course start date on your CAS or seven days before the date that you specified on your application as your intended date of travel to the UK, but no more than a month before your course start date.
If you do not travel to the UK during this 90 day period then your vignette will expire. If you still wish to travel to the UK on the Student visa issued to you, you will need to apply for another 90-day vignette. Your 90-day vignette will be accompanied by a decision letter. When you enter the UK you should show the border force officer your 90-day vignette and the decision letter.
Getting your BRP
How you get your biometric residence permit depends on where you made your visa or immigration application.
If you applied from inside the UK
If your application is successful your BRP will be sent to you within 7 to 10 working days getting your ‘decision letter’.
If you applied from outside the UK
You must collect your BRP once you’re in the UK from the university or the post office you selected when applying for your visa. See below for full details of BRP collection
Collecting your biometric residence permit.
It is very important that you do not leave the UK until you have received your BRP. The BRP is your visa, and without it, you will not be able to re-enter the UK.
More information on the biometric procedure.
Errors on your BRP
If after receiving your BRP you believe there is an error, for example you have not been issued a visa to 4 months after your course end date, your personal details are wrong or the work conditions are wrong you must take action immediately to correct the error.
If you applied for your visa inside the UK you will need to apply for an administrative review.
If you applied for your visa outside the UK you must report the error for correction within 10 days.
For details of errors on a BRP and how to correct them see here.
Please note, you do not need to take action if your BRP expires on 31 December 2024 but your visa has been granted for longer. Everyone will be issued with a digital status after December 2024.
UKVI will update their information on how to prove your immigration status in early 2024.
Providing your documents to the University
All new international students will need to attend International Registration to show their immigration documents to the University (including digital statuses) and have these checked and scanned to their student record. This is a mandatory part of registration at the University. Many students will also collect their BRP from the University at international registration and will be issued with their University ID card as well. Details of how to book a time slot during welcome week for this will be sent to you nearer the time.
Current international students who obtain a new passport, BRP or digital status for any reason should upload their new documentation here.
How to replace a lost or stolen BRP
You must report the lost or stolen card and apply for a replacement within three months, failure to do so could mean you have to pay a financial penalty of up to £1,000, or your visa for the UK may be shortened.
If you are overseas when your BRP is lost or stolen you will need to obtain a ‘replacement BRP visa’ to allow re-entry to the UK for one time only.
- Report the lost/theft here
- Apply for a replacement BRP visa online here and scroll down to the link “Apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’ online” in the section for those who are outside the UK.
- The standard service usually takes 15 working days and costs £154, however there may be an option to pay for a priority visa service.
If you will miss any aspect of your studies due to your lost/stolen BRP please keep in touch with your school/department so they are aware and can support you academically.
After returning to the UK you must apply for a replacement BRP card, this would usually be within 3 months of the BRP being lost/stolen. Please contact IAG for further advice if you can not apply for a replacement within 3 months.
If you are inside the UK when your BRP is lost or stolen you must report the loss online here. You must then apply for a replacement BRP card with 3 months of the BRP being lost/stolen.
Replacement BRP applications cost £19 and can take up to 8 weeks to process.
After receiving the replacement BRP please ensure you provide a photo of it to the University for your student record.
Further details are available on Gov.uk.
Further help and advice
You can find further information about the BRP, including the online application forms, on the UK government website.
Speak to a International Advice and Guidance advisor
If you are unable to find an answer to your query on our web pages email iagteam@liverpool.ac.uk or book an online confidential one-one appointment.