Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports

Overview

There are restrictions on what items you can take in your hand luggage and hold luggage when boarding a plane in the UK.

There are different rules if you’re taking goods to sell or temporarily abroad for business reasons, for example sales samples, professional equipment or musical instruments for a performance.

Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous - even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage.

Hand luggage allowances

Check with your airline how many and what size bags you can take on the plane with you.

Check the rules for electronic items and devices you’re allowed to take on a flight before you travel - there are different rules depending on which country you are travelling to or from.

Taking liquids through security

There are restrictions on the amount of liquids you can take in your hand luggage. If possible, pack liquids in your hold baggage (luggage that you check in).

Liquids include:

all drinks, including water

liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups

cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss

sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants

pastes, including toothpaste

gels, including hair and shower gel

contact lens solution

any other solutions and items of similar consistency

If you do take liquids in your hand luggage:

containers must hold no more than 100ml

containers must be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm

contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed

the bag must not be knotted or tied at the top

you’re limited to 1 plastic bag per person

you must show the bag at the airport security point

Liquids in containers larger than 100ml generally cannot go through security even if the container is only part full. There are some exemptions.

Exemptions

You can take liquid containers larger than 100ml through security if they:

are for essential medical purposes

are for special dietary requirements

contain baby food or baby milk

You can also take liquids bought at an airport or on a plane (such as duty free) through security if:

the items are sealed inside a security bag when you buy them

the receipt for the items is sealed in the security bag and visible

You must not open the security bag until you reach your final destination. Airport staff may need to open the items to screen the liquid at the security point.

Liquid restrictions outside the EU

Countries outside the EU might have different rules on carrying liquids as a transit or transfer passenger. You should check these rules with the relevant airlines and airports before travelling.

Lighters

You can only carry 1 lighter on board. You should put it inside a resealable plastic bag (like the ones used for liquids), which you must keep on you throughout the flight. You cannot:

put it in your hold luggage

put it in your hand luggage after screening

Food and powders

Food items and powders in your hand luggage can obstruct images on x-ray machines. Your bags may need to be checked again manually by security. You can put these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays.

Baby food and baby milk

When travelling with a baby you’re allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey. There is no legal limit to how much you can take however check with your airport before you travel.

You can carry breast milk in hand luggage even if you’re not travelling with a baby. You cannot carry frozen breast milk in hand luggage.

Individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml. Each container will need to be screened at the security point. Airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids.

| Allowed in hand luggage | Allowed in hold luggage

Breast milk | Yes, in containers up to 2,000ml | Yes

Frozen breast milk | No | Yes

Formula milk, cow’s milk | Yes (baby must be present) | Yes

Sterilised water for the baby | Yes (baby must be present) | Yes

Soya milk for babies | Yes (baby must be present) | Yes

Baby food | Yes (baby must be present) | Yes

Cooling gel packs | Yes | Yes

Personal items

Musical instruments

Contact your airline before you book if you want to travel with a large musical instrument. You may need to make special arrangements, such as buying an extra seat.

Musical instruments will be screened separately.

Mobility aids

Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are usually allowed in the cabin, but will need to be security screened first.

For battery-powered wheelchairs or mobility aids check with your airline first.

Other personal items

Corkscrew | No | Yes

Spoon | Yes | Yes

Knife (with a sharp or pointed blade and/or blade longer than 6cm) | No | Yes (check with your airline)

Small scissors (with blades no longer than 6cm) | Yes | Yes

Large scissors (with blades longer than 6cm) | No | Yes (check with your airline)

Round-ended/blunt scissors | Yes | Yes

Fixed-cartridge razor blades (disposable razor) | Yes | Yes

Nail clippers/nail file | Yes | Yes

Tweezers | Yes | Yes

Knitting needles | Yes | Yes

Sewing needle | Yes | Yes

Umbrella | Yes | Yes

Walking stick/cane, walking aid | Yes | Yes

Pushchair | Yes | Yes

Wheelchair | Yes | Yes

Safety matches | Yes | No

Non-safety matches | No | No

Fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics, including party poppers and toy caps | No | No

Cigarette lighter | No, but you can put a lighter in a plastic liquids bag and keep it on your person | No

Contact lens solution | Yes (up to 100ml) | Yes

Medicines, medical equipment and dietary requirements

You’re allowed to carry the following in your hand luggage:

essential medicines of more than 100ml, including liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers

medical equipment, if it’s essential for your journey

You’ll need supporting documentation from a relevant medical professional (for example a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription).

Airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids at the security point. Medical equipment is screened separately.

| Allowed in hand luggage | Allowed in hold luggage

Tablets and capsules | Yes | Yes

Essential liquid medicines | Yes | Yes

Hypodermic syringes | Yes | Yes

Inhalers | Yes | Yes

Cooling gel packs | Yes | Yes

Medical equipment (for example CPAP and TENS machines) | Yes | Yes

Special food and liquids needed for medical reasons | Yes | Yes

Oxygen cylinders | Contact your airline | Contact your airline

Electronic devices and electrical items

You can only take certain electronic devices and electrical items on flights to the UK.

Mobile phone | Yes | Yes

Laptop | Yes | Yes

Tablet devices | Yes | Yes

MP3 player | Yes | Yes

Hairdryer or straighteners | Yes | Yes

Travel iron | Yes | Yes

Electric shaver | Yes | Yes

E-cigarettes | Yes | No

Some airlines might also have different restrictions. Check with your airline before you travel if you’re not sure about what you can take as hand luggage.

Cameras

You can usually take camera equipment in your hand and hold luggage.

There might be restrictions on specialist equipment, for example professional video cameras.

Make sure your devices are charged

Make sure your electronic devices are charged before you travel. If your device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft.

Batteries for your device

Check the restrictions on certain types of batteries or contact your airline if you’re not sure what you can carry.

Gas-powered hair curlers

You can take hair curlers containing a gas cartridge in hand or hold luggage as long as the safety cover is fitted at all times. You must not take separate gas cartridges on board.

Sports equipment

Sports parachute | Yes | Yes

Heavy bats and sticks (including baseball, softball and cricket bats) | No | Yes

Tennis racquets | Yes | Yes

Snooker, pool or billiard cue | Yes | Yes

Golf clubs | No | Yes

Darts | No | Yes

Walking/hiking poles | No | Yes

Fishing rod | Yes | Yes

Catapult | No | Yes

Firearms (including replica firearms) | No | Check with your airline before you travel

Harpoon or spear gun | No | Check with your airline before you travel

Crossbow | No | Yes

Martial arts equipment (including knuckledusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails and nunchuks) | No | Yes

Diving equipment | Check with your airline before you travel | Check with your airline before you travel

Work tools

| Allowed in hand luggage | Allowed in hold luggage

Tool with a blade or shaft longer than 6cm (for example chisel) | No | Yes

Drill and drill bits | No | Yes

Stanley knife | No | Yes

Saw (including portable power saw) | No | Yes

Screwdriver | No | Yes

Hammer | No | Yes

Pliers | No | Yes

Wrench or spanner | No | Yes

Bolt gun or nail gun | No | Yes

Crowbar | No | Yes

Blowtorch | No | Yes

Chemicals and toxic substances

You cannot take any of these items as hand luggage or in the hold:

oxidisers and organic peroxides, including bleach and car body repair kits

acids and alkalis (for example spillable ‘wet’ batteries)

corrosives or bleaching agents (including mercury and chlorine)

vehicle batteries and fuel systems

self defence or disabling sprays (for example mace, pepper spray)

radioactive materials (including medicinal or commercial isotopes)

poisons or toxic substances (for example rat poison)

biological hazards (for example infected blood, bacteria, viruses)

materials that could spontaneously combust (burst into flames)

fire extinguishers

Ammunition

You cannot take any guns or firearms (including air rifles and starting pistols) as hand luggage. You may be able to take them as hold luggage - check with your airline before you travel.

blasting caps

detonators and fuses

imitation explosive devices (including replica or model guns)

mines, grenades, and other explosive military stores

fireworks and pyrotechnics

smoke canisters

smoke cartridges

dynamite

gunpowder

plastic explosives (including black powder and percussion caps)

flares

hand grenades

gun cigarette lighters


Entering the UK

Overview

If you’re travelling to England, what you need to do depends on where you have been in the 10 days before you arrive. If you have been in a country or territory on the:

green list - you must take a coronavirus (COVID-19) test on or before day 2

amber list - you must quarantine in the place you’re staying and take 2 COVID-19 tests

red list - you must quarantine in a hotel and take 2 COVID-19 tests

You cannot currently enter the UK if you’ve been in or through a country on the red list unless you’re British, Irish or you have the right to live in the UK.

You must follow these rules even if you have been vaccinated.

Find out which list the country you’ve been in is on and what you need to do.

Find out what to do if you’re:

travelling to Scotland

travelling to Wales

travelling to Northern Ireland

Before you leave for the UK

You’ll need to:

provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken in the 3 days before you leave for the UK

complete a passenger locator form

Find out more about what you’ll need to do before you leave for the UK because of COVID-19.

Your passport or identity card will be checked when you arrive at a UK port or airport to make sure you’re allowed to come into the country. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.

You may also need a visa to come into or travel through the UK, depending on your nationality.

What you can bring with you

What you can bring with you depends on where you’re travelling from. You must declare to customs:

anything over your duty-free allowance

banned or restricted goods in the UK

goods that you plan to sell

more than €10,000 (or its equivalent) in cash, if you’re coming from outside the EU

You and your baggage may be checked for anything you must declare.

COVID-19 restrictions in the UK

COVID-19 restrictions currently apply in England. Find out about the:

rules in Scotland

rules in Wales

rules in Northern Ireland

Before you leave for the UK

Everyone travelling to the UK must:

book at least one coronavirus (COVID-19) test for after you arrive

provide your contact details by completing the online passenger locator form

follow the testing and quarantine rules in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

You’ll be committing a criminal offence if you do not have proof of a negative test or you have not completed the passenger locator form. You may be fined. You may not be allowed to board. If you are not British or Irish, you may not be allowed to enter the UK.

COVID-19 testing and quarantine in England

What you need to do depends on where you have been in the 10 days before you arrive. If you have been in a country or territory on the:

green list - you must book a COVID-19 test to take after you arrive

amber list - you must book 2 COVID-19 tests to take after you arrive and quarantine in the place you’re staying

red list - you must book a hotel quarantine package, which includes 2 COVID-19 tests

Find out which list the country you’ve been in is on and what you need to do.

You must follow these rules even if you have been vaccinated.

You might be exempt from some or all COVID-19 travel and entry requirements because of your job. Check if your job means you’re exempt.

Children aged 4 and under do not need to take any COVID-19 travel tests after they arrive in England.

If you’re travelling from a country on the amber list, you may be able to end your quarantine early by booking a third coronavirus test through Test to Release.

COVID-19 testing and quarantine in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Check the rules and exemptions for quarantine and COVID-19 tests:

if you’re travelling to Scotland

if you’re travelling to Wales

If you’re travelling to Northern Ireland

Complete the passenger locator form

You need to provide your journey and contact details in the 48 hours before you arrive in the UK. You must do this by completing the online passenger locator form.

You’ll need to show your completed passenger locator form when you check in to travel or board your plane, train or ferry.

You’ll also need to show proof that you’ve completed the form when you arrive at the UK border.

Provide a negative COVID-19 test to travel to the UK

You must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel to the UK - even if you’re a UK citizen.

If your test result is positive you must not travel. You must follow the local COVID-19 rules and guidance.

The test must be taken in the 3 days before you depart. The results must be in English, French or Spanish.

You’ll need to show the test results when you check in to travel or board your plane, train or ferry. You may also be asked to show them when you arrive.

You could be fined £500 when you arrive at the border if you cannot provide proof that you have had a negative COVID-19 test.

Find out more about providing a COVID-19 test result, including exemptions and acceptable types of test.

When you do not need to provide a negative COVID-19 test

You do not need a test if you’re travelling:

within the UK, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey

from Ireland

from Ascension, Falkland Islands, St Helena and Myanmar

Children under 11 do not need a test.

There are other reasons you might not need a test, for example:

you have a job on the ‘exempt jobs’ list

you’re travelling to the UK for medical reasons

you’re travelling from a country where you cannot access testing facilities

Read the guidance about:

taking a COVID-19 test before you travel to England

taking a COVID-19 test before you travel to Scotland

You must still follow the rules for quarantining when you arrive in the UK.

You’re from an EEA country or Switzerland

You can enter the UK with either a passport or national identity card issued by an EEA country or Switzerland that should be valid for the whole of your stay.

From 1 October 2021, you will not be able to use an EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter the UK unless you:

have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit

have a Frontier Worker permit

are an S2 Healthcare Visitor

are a Swiss Service Provider

Check if you need a visa to come to the UK after 1 January 2021.

You’re not from an EEA country

You must have a valid passport to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.

You may also need a visa, depending on which country you’re from.

Check if you need a visa to enter the UK.

You may also need a visa if you’re ‘transiting’ or travelling through the UK, for example you’re changing flights at a UK airport.

Applying for a visa

You must apply for your visa before you arrive in the UK.

Travelling with children

You may be asked at the border to prove the relationship between yourself and any children travelling with you, if you do not seem to be the parent, for example if you have a different surname.

You can prove this with:

a birth or adoption certificate showing your relationship with the child

divorce or marriage certificates if you’re the parent but have a different surname from the child

a letter from the child’s parent giving permission for the child to travel with you and providing contact details, if you’re not the parent

Before you board

Your ‘carrier’ (for example airline or transport provider) will check your passport and other travel documents. They’ll send this information electronically to Border Force.

You can ask to see the information about you that’s been sent by carriers.

At border control

You must wear a face covering at the airport, port or station you’re arriving into and follow social distancing rules.

You’ll need to show:

your passport or identity card

your proof of a negative coronavirus (COVID-19) test

your passenger locator form

You must:

have your passport or identity card ready - remove it from a holder or wallet if you use one

remove your face covering or sunglasses, if you’re wearing them

move through passport control together if you’re in a family

You will have to wait longer than usual at border control because of COVID-19.

Showing your passenger locator form

You need to show proof that you’ve completed a passenger locator form when you arrive at the UK border. The government will use the form to contact you if someone you’ve travelled with develops COVID-19 symptoms.

When you submit the form you’ll receive a confirmation email with a document attached. At border control you must show either a:

printed copy of the document

downloaded copy of document on your phone

Border Force officers will scan the QR code at the top of this document to check you have completed the form successfully.

It is a criminal offence to provide false or deliberately misleading information when filling out your passenger locator form. You could be fined up to £10,000, imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both, if you do not provide accurate details about the countries you have visited in the 10 days before you arrived in the UK.

You may also need to show proof of a negative coronavirus test at the border. You could be fined up to £500 if you cannot show proof when asked.

Arriving by bus or coach

You have to leave the bus when you arrive at border control.

Make sure you:

are ready to get off the bus when you arrive

have your travel documents ready

Read the guidance for school parties and groups coming to the UK by coach.

If you’re from an EEA country or Switzerland

You can use the UK/EEA channel to get your passport or identity card checked - this is usually faster than the other channels.

The EEA includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

You can use automatic ePassport gates at some airports if your passport has a ‘chip’ on it and you’re 12 or over. If you’re between 12 and 17, you must be accompanied by an adult.

These gates use facial recognition technology to check your identity against the photo in your passport.

If you’re from a non-EEA country

Your passport (and visa if you have one) will be checked at border control. You’ll usually be asked why you’re coming to the UK.

You can use the UK/EEA immigration lanes and the automatic ePassport gates if you’re from:

Australia

Canada

Japan

New Zealand

Singapore

South Korea

United States

When you cannot use an ePassport gate

You must see a border control officer and get a stamp in your passport if you are entering the UK:

with a Tier 5 Creative or Sporting certificate of sponsorship for up to 3 months (and you want to enter without a visa)

on a permitted paid engagement

You cannot get a stamp if you use the ePassport gates. Without a stamp you will not be allowed to carry out the activities you came to the UK to do.

Registered Travellers

You can use the UK/EEA immigration lanes and the automatic ePassport gates.

Travelling with a UK biometric residence permit

You’ll have a biometric residence permit if your fingerprints were taken when you applied.

Your fingerprints will be checked at border control - they’ll be checked against the ones stored on your visa document.

If you’re refused entry

You’ll be told in writing:

why you’ve been refused entry to the UK

if you can appeal against the decision

when you will be removed from the UK

You’ll usually have to leave the UK immediately.

You may be allowed into the UK temporarily (usually for up to a week) but your passport will be taken from you and you must report to immigration officers at set times.

Baggage checks

You must co-operate if you’re stopped and asked about your baggage.

If you break the rules your goods and any vehicle you use to transport them may be seized.

If your baggage is checked

Your baggage is usually checked in front of you.

Customs officers keep a record of:

all baggage they open and check

any damage to your baggage or belongings during a check

If your things are damaged

You may be offered compensation if your baggage or belongings are damaged during a customs check.

Making a complaint

You can:

ask for the duty manager if you want to complain about a customs check while you’re at the border

send your complaint to Border Force if you want to complain later

Layovers and transiting through a UK airport

Passing through a UK airport while on the way to another country is called ‘transiting’. Some travellers call it a ‘layover’.

There are 2 types of transiting:

‘airside’ - you do not pass through UK border control before you leave on your connecting journey

‘landside’ - you do pass through UK border control, but come back through it and leave the UK within a short amount of time (usually 24 hours)

Find out if you need a UK visa for your layover.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and quarantine

Before you travel you need to:

provide your contact details by completing the online passenger locator form

provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test

Check the rules for transiting.

Quarantining when you arrive in the UK

green list - you do not need to quarantine but you must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2

amber list - you must quarantine in the place you’re staying and take 2 COVID-19 tests

red list - you must quarantine in a hotel and take 2 COVID-19 tests

You must follow these rules even if you have been vaccinated.

Find out which list the country you’ve been in is on and what you need to do.

You may be fined if you do not quarantine in the place you’re staying or in a managed quarantine hotel when you need to. You can be prosecuted if you do not pay on time.

Some people are exempt from some or all COVID-19 travel and entry requirements because of their jobs. Check if your job means you’re exempt.

Quarantine rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Find out what to do and whether you’re exempt if you’re:

travelling to Scotland

travelling to Wales

travelling to Northern Ireland

Ending quarantine early through Test to Release

You may be able to end quarantine early through the ‘Test to Release’ scheme if you pay for a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test.

You must still take the 2 COVID-19 tests you booked before you travelled. Find out more about the tests you must book and take.

You cannot use the Test to Release scheme if you’ve been in or through a country on the red list in the 10 days before you arrive in England.

This guidance is for England. Find out what to do if you’re:

travelling to Scotland

travelling to Wales

travelling to Northern Ireland

When you can take the private COVID-19 test

The earliest you can take a test is 5 days after you arrive in England. For example, if you arrive on a Monday, you can take a test from the following Saturday.

When you can stop quarantining

If the test is negative you can stop quarantining as soon as you get the result.

If the test is positive you need to quarantine for another 10 days. Count the 10 days starting from the day you took the test, or from when you first had symptoms if that is earlier.

If you’re living or staying with someone in the UK they should also self-isolate for 10 days, starting from the day you took the test.

If the test is inconclusive you also need to quarantine for another 10 days. You can stop quarantining if you take another test with an eligible private provider and the result is negative.

You may be fined up to £10,000 if you do not quarantine when you need to. You can be prosecuted if you do not pay the fine on time.

What you’ll need

Before arriving in England, you’ll need to:

book a test with an eligible private provider

say that you’ll be using the Test to Release scheme on the passenger locator form

You cannot take a test through NHS Test and Trace to shorten your quarantine period. You must continue to quarantine if the result from an NHS Test and Trace test is negative.

If you did not book the test before you arrived in England, you can book one after you arrive. You will need to complete another passenger locator form to opt into the scheme.


Options when customs seizes your things

Overview

Customs will destroy or sell anything it seizes from you for breaking the rules on bringing or receiving goods from abroad, unless you:

ask for your things back - you can do this even if you agree customs was right to seize them

think customs was wrong to seize your things - you’ll have to go to court

This applies to:

goods, cars and other vehicles you bring into the UK

any vehicle you use to transport your things

packages in the post

Collecting things from a seized vehicle

You have 45 days to collect anything you left in your vehicle if it’s been seized. Send a letter marked ‘personal property’ to the address on the notice or letter you got from customs.

If your things or cash are seized as criminal evidence

Customs officers can also seize goods, vehicles and cash you bring into the UK if they suspect a crime. They’ll explain what happens next and what you can do.

Complain about how you were treated

You can complain about how customs officers treated you during a customs seizure. Complain to Border Force or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), depending on who seized your things.

Contact HMRC if you have questions about customs.

Ask for your things back

You can ask for your things back (make a ‘restoration request’) even if you agree customs was right to take them.

If you think you should get your things back because you did not break the rules (for example, you brought in alcohol for your own use) you must ask for a court hearing instead of making a restoration request.

If your request is accepted, you can get your things back but you may have to pay a fee and any duty you owe.

You may be offered compensation if your things have already been destroyed or sold.

Making a request

Follow the example letter or write your own.

You must explain why you think you should get your things back, for example you can now provide missing import or export documents.

You must include:

the seizure reference number on the notice you got from customs

your name and address

a list of the things you want back - include details, for example quantities and brands

proof of ownership - for a vehicle, this must be proof of purchase, for example a receipt

anything else that supports your request to get your things back, for example import documents

Notice 12A gives detailed guidance about making a restoration request and getting compensation.

Where to send it

Send your request to Border Force if it seized your things.

If HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) seized your things, send your request to the address on the notice or letter you got from customs.

Check the notice or letter you got from customs if you do not know who seized your things. Contact HMRC if you need a copy of the notice.

Deadline

There’s no deadline for making a restoration request. But your things will usually be destroyed or sold:

straight away if they’re perishable, for example food, beer or tobacco

45 days after they’re seized if they’re not perishable, for example spirits and cars

If you send a restoration request, non-perishable things are usually kept until your request is considered.

Getting legal help

You can appoint someone to deal with your request for you, for example a solicitor. Send an agent authority form with your request.

If you’re unhappy with the response

You can ask for the response to your request to be reviewed if:

you do not get your things back or get compensation

you disagree with the fee for getting your things back

The letter telling you the response will also tell you how to ask for a review.

If you disagree with the review

You can appeal to the tax tribunal if you disagree with the outcome of the review.

Ask for a court hearing

Send a ‘notice of claim’ if you think it was illegal for customs to seize your things, for example you brought in alcohol or tobacco for your personal use.

A seizure is legal if you break the rules on bringing or receiving things from abroad.

You’ll have to go to court - if you win your claim, you’ll get your things back. If they’ve already been disposed of, you can ask for compensation.

You may have to pay court costs if you do not win your claim.

Sending a notice of claim

Follow the example notice of claim or write your own. You’ll need to include:

your name and address

a list of the things you think customs was wrong to seize - include details, for example quantities and brands

proof of ownership if your vehicle was seized

why you think it was illegal for customs to seize your things

Notice 12A gives detailed guidance about making a claim and what happens in a court hearing.

If Border Force seized your things

Send your notice of claim to Border Force’s post seizure unit.

For excise goods such as alcohol, tobacco and fuel, send your notice of claim to:

For all other goods send your notice of claim to:

Deadline

Your notice of claim must be received by HMRC or Border Force within a month of your things being seized.

Your things are usually kept until your claim is decided, unless they’re perishable, for example they’re food.

Get legal help

You can appoint someone (for example, a solicitor) to deal with your claim and represent you in court.

Send an agent authority form with your notice of claim.

If you live outside the UK

You must appoint a UK solicitor to handle your claim and represent you in court.

Send an agent authority form giving the solicitor’s details with your notice of claim.


Applying for a visa to come to the UK

Choose a visa

You may need a visa to come to the UK to study, work, visit or join family.

There are different visas depending on:

where you come from

why you want to come to the UK

how long you want to stay for

your personal circumstances and skills

Before you apply, you must check if you need a visa and what type you need. Depending on your nationality, you might not need a visa to visit or transit through the UK.

Your application must be approved before you travel.

You do not need a visa if you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and you came to the UK by 31 December 2020. If you started living in the UK by that date you can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue to work, live or study in the UK.

You do not need to apply for a visa if you’re an Irish citizen.

If you want to visit the UK

Apply for a Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months. For example:

for a holiday or to see family and friends

for a business trip or meeting

to do a short course of study

You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK to get married or register a civil partnership.

If you have a visitor visa you cannot take a job in the UK.

If you’re travelling through the UK

You might need a visa if you’re travelling through the UK on your way to another country, for example if you have a layover between flights.

Apply for a visa to travel through the UK.

If you want to study in the UK

Your course length, type and place of study affect which visa to apply for.

A Standard Visitor visa lets you do a short course of study that lasts no longer than 6 months.

A Short-term study visa lets you come to the UK to study an English language course that is over 6 months and up to 11 months.

A Student visa is usually for a longer course. You must be sponsored by a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. You may be able to do some work on this visa.

A Child Student visa is for 4 to 17 year olds who want to study at an independent school. If you’re 16 or over, you can do some work on this visa.

If you want to work or invest in the UK

You can work in the UK on a short or long-term basis with a work visa. There are many types of work visa.

The visa you need depends upon:

your skills and qualifications

if you have a job offer and sponsorship

if you want to bring your family with you

what you’ll be doing - for example sporting, charitable or religious work

You can also invest money in the UK with an Investor visa. You can set up a business with a Start-up visa or an Innovator visa.

If you want to join family in the UK

If you’re a spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or settlement in the UK, you can apply for a family visa to join them. They may need to show that they can support you financially.

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after a set amount of time living in the UK.

If your family member is in the UK on a visa

You may be able to apply for a visa to join a family member who’s in the UK on a visa. They must be either:

your spouse or partner

your parent if you’re 18 or under

Check what visa you’ll need to join them.

If your family member is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

You can apply for a free family permit if you have a close family member who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020. A family permit lets you live, work and study in the UK for up to 6 months.

Close family members include your spouse or civil partner, child, grandchild, parent or grandparent.

You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme after your family permit expires.

Family reunion visas for refugees

If you were separated from your partner or child when you were forced to leave your country, they can apply to join you in the UK.

Your family members can apply if you have been given asylum or 5 years’ humanitarian protection, and not have British citizenship.

Other ways to get permission to live in the UK

Commonwealth citizens

You can apply for an Ancestry visa to work in the UK if you have a British grandparent and meet other eligibility criteria.

You may have right of abode to live in the UK.

If you’re a Commonwealth citizen and cannot prove your right to be in the UK, read about the Windrush scheme.

Returning residents

If you had indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and left the UK for more than 2 years you’ll need to apply for a Returning Resident visa to come back.

Other visas

There may be another visa that’s right for you based on your circumstances. Check if you need a visa and what other visas you’re eligible for.

Prepare your application

You can apply and pay for most visas online.

If you have dependants who want to come to the UK with you, each person will need to apply and pay separately.

When to apply

The earliest you can apply is usually:

3 months before your planned travel date for visit visas

3 months before your employment start date for most work visas

6 months before your course start date for Student and Child Student visas

Get an estimate of how long it’ll take to process your application.

Settlement applications take up to 6 months and must be approved before you come to the UK. If you’re given permission to settle in the UK, you must travel before your permission ends.

Fees

There is a fee for each visa. The fee depends on which visa you apply for.

You can choose to pay more to get a faster decision for some visas.

The fees are the same for each family member who applies to come to the UK with you.

Pay for healthcare

You’ll need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application, if you’re:

applying for a visa to work, study or join your family

applying to stay for more than 6 months

not applying to live permanently in the UK

Applying for someone else

You can apply for a visa for someone else. For example, a relative overseas who does not have access to a computer or your child, if they cannot apply for themselves.

You must get permission from the person you’re applying for, or written permission from their parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18.

Enter the applicant’s details into the form, not your own.

Proving you do not have tuberculosis (TB)

If you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months you might need to have a TB test.

Check if you’ll need a TB test.

If you do, you must provide a certificate showing you do not have TB with your visa application.

Change or cancel your application

If you want to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

Prove your identity

When you apply, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide documents to show your eligibility.

How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

go to an appointment at a visa application centre

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ smartphone app

You’ll find out if you need to go to an appointment or use the smartphone app when you start your application.

If you need to go to an appointment at a visa application centre

You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photograph).

At the appointment, you’ll need to submit documents that show your eligibility. The document checklist in your application will explain what to provide.

Some visa application centres may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application.

You may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country).

If you applied for someone else

The applicant will need to attend the appointment at the visa application centre to provide their biometric information and documents.

They’ll also need to sign a copy of their application form, to confirm that the information is correct.

If you need to use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ smartphone app

You’ll be asked to use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document and submit a digital photo of your face.

You will need to scan and upload documents that show your eligibility as part of your online application. The document checklist in your application will explain what to provide.

If you applied for someone else

The applicant will need to prove their identity using the app.

Getting a decision on your application

You’ll get a letter or an email with the result of your application. It will explain what you need to do next.

If your application is successful

You’ll be given either:

a sticker (called a vignette) that goes in your passport - if you gave your biometric information at a visa application centre

access to view your immigration status information online - if you used the smartphone app to prove your identity

The vignette or online immigration status information will show:

what you’ve been granted (for example, a Student visa)

the dates your visa is valid (start date and end date)

the conditions of your visa

Your visa conditions

The conditions say what you can and cannot do in the UK. For example, they might say:

‘No access to public funds’ - you cannot claim benefits

‘No work’ - you cannot take paid or unpaid work in the UK

‘Restricted work’ - you can only work for your sponsor

You’ll also be told if you need to register your personal details with the UK police.

Getting your vignette

If the visa application centre kept your passport, they’ll either:

send it to you with the vignette inside - if you paid for this service when you applied

ask you to collect the passport and vignette

If you kept your passport, you’ll need to take it to the visa application centre to collect your vignette.

If you’re a national of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates and you applied for an electronic visa waiver this permission is sent to you electronically (you do not receive a vignette).

If there’s an error in your vignette

If you notice an error in your vignette, you should contact your visa application centre immediately to correct it before you come to the UK.

If you notice the error after you’ve arrived in the UK, you must report it to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) within 3 months of arriving or you’ll need to make a new application.

Getting a biometric residence permit

If you get a vignette and you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months then you have to collect a biometric residence permit (BRP) after you arrive.

You must do this before the vignette sticker expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.

You choose where to collect your BRP from during your application.

When you get your BRP, check the details are correct. If your name is long it may appear ‘cut off’. This is not a mistake - it is because there is limited space on the BRP card. However, if there’s a spelling mistake, you must report it.

You need to report any errors in your BRP within 10 days of collecting it.

If you get access to your immigration status information online

You’ll be able to view your immigration status information online. You can also use the online service to share your immigration status information with others, for example employers or universities.

Some government organisations and public authorities will be able to access your immigration status information, for example when you travel through the UK border.

You will not get a vignette or a BRP.

If your application is refused

You’ll get a letter or an email explaining why your application was refused.

Your passport will be returned, if it was kept as part of your application.

Your refusal letter will explain if you have the right to either an:

administrative review

immigration decision appeal


Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application

Overview

You might need to pay a healthcare surcharge (called the ‘immigration health surcharge’ or IHS) as part of your immigration application.

Whether you need to pay depends on the immigration status you’re applying for.

When you must pay

If you’re making your immigration application online, you pay the surcharge as part of your application or when you book an appointment.

If you’re applying by post, you pay the surcharge online before you send your application. You’ll need to include the IHS reference number on your application form.

When you can start to use the NHS

You can start using the National Health Service (NHS) when both:

you’ve paid the healthcare surcharge (or are exempt from paying it)

your visa or immigration application is granted

You’ll still need to pay for certain types of services, such as prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and assisted conception.

When you access healthcare in the UK, you may need to:

provide your biometric residence permit, if you have one

prove your status online using a share code, if you have a digital immigration status

Who needs to pay

You usually need to pay the healthcare surcharge if you’re applying for a visa or immigration application:

for more than 6 months, if you’re applying outside the UK

for any length of time, if you’re applying inside the UK

You do not need to pay if you’re applying for a visitor visa or to remain in the UK permanently.

You still need to pay even if you have private medical insurance.

Who only needs an IHS reference number

You still need to use the payment service to get an immigration health surcharge (IHS) reference number but you will not need to pay if:

you’re a child under 18 who has been taken into care by a local authority

you’re a relevant civilian employee at NATO or the Australian Department of Defence in the UK (or you’re their dependant)

The service will tell you that you do not have to pay anything and will give you your healthcare surcharge reference number for your application.

You’ll be able to use the National Health Service (NHS) even if you’re exempt from paying.

Who does not need to pay or get an IHS reference number

You’ll be able to use the NHS without paying the surcharge or getting a reference number if:

you’re applying for indefinite leave to enter or remain

you’re a health and care worker who is eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa (or you’re their dependant)

you’re applying to the EU Settlement Scheme

you’re a diplomat or a member of a visiting armed forces and not subject to immigration control

you’re a dependant of a member of the UK’s armed forces

you’re the dependant of a member of another country’s armed forces who is exempt from immigration control

you’re applying for a visa for the Isle of Man or Channel Islands

you’re a British Overseas Territory citizen resident in the Falkland Islands

you’re an asylum seeker or applying for humanitarian protection (or you’re their dependant)

you’re a domestic worker who has been identified as a victim of slavery or human trafficking

you’re applying for discretionary leave to remain in the UK as someone who has been identified as a victim of slavery or human trafficking (or you’re their dependant)

the Home Office’s domestic violence concession applies to you (or you’re their dependant)

being made to leave the UK would be against your rights under Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights (or you’re their dependant)

you’re an S2 Healthcare Visitor

you’re eligible for a Frontier Worker permit and have an S1 certificate

You need to pay the healthcare surcharge if you apply for indefinite leave to remain but are only given limited leave. You’ll need to pay before you’re given the leave.

Visitor visas and short-term visas

You do not need to pay the surcharge or get an IHS reference number if you’re applying for a:

visitor visa

visa for 6 months or less from outside the UK

You will need to pay for any NHS care you get at the point you use it - unless it’s a service that’s free.

How much you have to pay

You’ll have to pay:

£470 per year for a student or Youth Mobility Scheme visa, for example £940 for a 2-year visa

£470 per year for visa and immigration applicants who are under the age of 18 at time of application

£624 per year for all other visa and immigration applications, for example £3,120 for a 5-year visa

Dependants aged 18 or over usually need to pay the same amount as you.

The exact amount you have to pay depends on how much leave you’re granted.  Calculate how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

You’ll pay half of the yearly amount if your application includes part of a year that is less than 6 months.

You’ll pay for a whole year if your application includes part of a year that is more than 6 months.

You’ll automatically get a partial refund if you paid the healthcare surcharge for more years than you were granted leave.

When you must pay

If you apply for a visa online, you pay the surcharge as part of the application.

If you apply for a visa by post, you must pay the surcharge online before you send your application. You’ll need to include your IHS reference number on the application form.

If you do not pay

You’ll get an email from UK Visas and Immigration if you do not pay the surcharge (or do not pay enough) as part of your visa or immigration application.

Check your junk folder if you cannot see the email in your inbox.

Once you get the email, you must pay the surcharge within:

10 working days if you’re inside the UK

7 working days if you’re outside the UK

Your visa or immigration application will be turned down if you do not pay the full amount in this time.

Pay the healthcare surcharge

If you’re making an immigration application online you pay the healthcare surcharge as part of the application process. You must complete the payment and return to the online immigration application in less than 30 minutes.

If you’re making an immigration application by post you must pay the healthcare surcharge before you complete your application.

You must pay the healthcare surcharge by debit or credit card.

If you’re applying online, you’ll be asked for:

the start and end dates on your certificate of sponsorship, if you have one

your course dates, if you’re applying as a student

If you’re applying by post, you’ll also be asked for:

the type of visa you’re applying for

your passport or travel document number

an email address

Pay now

You need to pay by cash at the UK embassy if you’re in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Family members

You’ll need the same information that you used to pay for:

any person applying for a visa or other immigration application with you, for example a dependant

any person you’re applying to join or remain who is already in the UK (you do not need to add this person’s details if they are a UK or EEA citizen)

You’ll also need their leave expiry date if you’re joining someone in the UK (or IHS reference number if they have one).

Finish your visa or immigration application

You’ll be sent an email with an IHS reference number. This will also be shown on screen when you’ve paid. You can only use this number once - you’ll need to get another one if you reapply.

You’ll need to write this on the cover of your visa application if you’re applying by post. You need this reference even if you’re exempt from paying the healthcare surcharge.

Finish your application form and pay your visa or immigration application fee.

Refunds

You’ll get a full immigration health surcharge (IHS) refund if:

you paid twice

your visa application is refused

you withdraw your visa application

You’ll get a partial IHS refund if your visa application’s successful but:

you get less time on your visa than you asked for

any dependants on your visa application are refused

If you are due a full or partial refund for these reasons, you do not have to do anything to get it. It will be automatically paid to the account or card you paid with.

You will not get a refund if:

your visa application is successful but you do not come to the UK

you leave the UK before your visa ends, for example to make a new application

you’re told to leave the UK before your visa expires

you’re applying for indefinite leave to remain

If your healthcare is paid for by an EU country

You may get a full or partial IHS refund if you have an S1 certificate registered with the NHS Business Services Authority.

You can also apply for a full or partial IHS refund if all of the following are true:

you’re a full-time student in UK higher education

your visa started on or after 1 January 2021

you have a European Healthcare Insurance Card (EHIC) issued in an EU country

you do not work

If you’re claiming as a full-time student with an EHIC, you can apply for a refund of the IHS you paid to cover any period starting on or after 1 January 2021. Applications open from 1 January 2022.

The amount you’re refunded will depend on the date your S1 certificate or EHIC runs out.

Find out more about applying for a refund.

If you work in health and care

You and your dependants may be able to get a refund of the IHS if you work in health and care.

Check if you’re eligible for a refund as a health or care worker.

How long it takes

You usually get your refund within 6 weeks of getting a decision on your visa application. It can take longer if you appeal or ask for an administrative review after your visa application is refused.

If you appeal or ask for an administrative review

If you applied from:

inside the UK - you’ll get your refund up to 6 weeks after your appeal or administrative review is dismissed

outside the UK - you’ll get your refund up to 6 weeks after your visa application is refused

You’ll have to repay the IHS if your appeal or administrative review is successful and you’ve already got your IHS refund.

You might have to repay a different amount if:

the length of your stay changes

you get less time on your visa than you asked for

Contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if your refund is not paid within 6 weeks.


Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application

Applying from inside the UK

You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa or settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) application if you’re applying from inside the UK.

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you can currently only pay for a faster decision on certain visas.

To get a decision within 5 working days

If you’re eligible you can choose the ‘priority service’ when you apply. It costs £500 in addition to the application fee.

A decision will be made within 5 working days of your UK Visa and Citizen Application Services (UKVCAS) appointment.

To get a decision by the end of the next working day

If you’re eligible you can choose the ‘super priority service’ when you apply. It costs £800 in addition to the application fee.

A decision will be made:

by the end of the next working day after your appointment, if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after your appointment, if your appointment is at the weekend or on a bank holiday

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

After you’ve applied

You’ll get an email followed by a decision letter (either in the post or by email).

If your application is approved, the email will let you know the outcome. If your application is refused, the outcome will not be mentioned in the email.

When you might wait longer for a decision

You might wait longer for a decision if you need to provide more information. You’ll be told how and when to provide it.

When you’ll get your biometric residence permit

You’ll usually receive your biometric residence permit (BRP) within 7 to 10 days of your decision. If it does not arrive, you can report your missing BRP online.

Your BRP will be sent to the address you gave in your application. You need to update your address before your application is approved if you want it sent elsewhere.

Eligible visas when applying from inside the UK

You can apply for a faster decision on certain visa applications or applications to settle in the UK.

These tables list the eligible applications and whether you can pay to get a faster decision:

within 5 working days

by the end of the next working day

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19) there’s a limit on how many people can apply for a faster decision. If you are not offered the option to apply for a faster decision, you can still complete a standard application.

Eligible visa applications

| Decision available within 5 working days | Decision available by the end of the next working day

Child student visa | Yes | Yes

Global Talent visa | Yes | Yes

Health and Care Worker visa | Yes | Yes

Innovator visa | Yes | Yes

Intra-company visas | Yes | Yes

Investor visa (Tier 1) | Yes | No

Minister of Religion visa (T2) | Yes | Yes

Skilled Worker visa | Yes | Yes

Sportsperson visa (T2) | Yes | Yes

Start-up visa | Yes | Yes

Student visa | Yes | Yes

Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5) | Yes | Yes

Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting visa (T5) | Yes | Yes

Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5) | Yes | Yes

Temporary Worker – International Agreement Worker visa (T5) | Yes | Yes

Temporary Worker - Religious Worker visa (T5) | Yes | Yes

Temporary Worker - Seasonal Worker visa (T5) | Yes | Yes

Applying as the dependent child or partner on a work, student, global talent, start up or innovator visa | Yes | Yes

Applying as the dependent child or partner on an investor visa | Yes | No

Applying on the basis of family life as a partner, parent or dependent child or on the basis of private life in the UK (through form FLR(FP) or form FLR(M)) | No | Yes

Applying for human rights claims, leave outside the rules and other routes through form FLR(HRO) | No | Yes

Applying for other routes through form FLR(IR) | No | Yes

Eligible applications to settle in the UK

Application to settle on the basis of UK Ancestry (through form SET(O)) | No | Yes

Application to settle as a former member of HM Forces (through form SET(AF)) | No | Yes

Application to settle as a child under 18 (through form SET(F)) | No | Yes

Application to settle if you’ve been in the UK legally for 10 continuous years (known as ‘long residence’) | No | Yes

Application to settle if you work, establish a business or invest in the UK (through form SET(O)) | Yes | Yes

Application to settle as the dependent child or partner if you work, establish a business or invest in the UK | Yes | Yes

Application to settle as the partner of a person, or parent of a child, who is present and settled in the UK (through form SET(M)) | No | Yes

Applying from outside the UK

Whether you can apply for a faster decision on a visa or settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) application depends on which country you’re applying from.

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you can only pay for a faster decision through some visa application centres. Check with the visa application centre you’re applying through.

They’ll let you know if you can apply to get a decision:

within 5 working days (‘priority service’)

by the end of the next working day (‘super priority service’)

They’ll also tell you what will happen after you’ve applied.

If you’re applying from Europe, Africa or some Middle Eastern countries

To find out if you can get a faster decision through your visa application centre, select the country you’re applying from on the TLScontact list (and the right centre, if there’s more than one). Then check the ‘Added Value Services’ section of the page for that centre to see if the option is available.

The Middle Eastern countries on this list are:

Jordan

Israel

If you’re applying from somewhere else

To find out if you can get a faster decision through your visa application centre, select the country you’re applying from on the VFS global website. Then check the ‘premium services’ page for your nearest centre to see if the option is available.

If you cannot find the information, you can email VFS.


Biometric residence permits (BRPs)

What a BRP is

A biometric residence permit (BRP) can be used to confirm your:

identity

right to study or work in the UK

right to any public services or benefits you’re entitled to

You’ll usually get a BRP if you:

apply to come to the UK for longer than 6 months

extend your visa to longer than 6 months

apply to settle in the UK

transfer your visa to a new passport

apply for certain Home Office travel documents

You do not have to apply separately for a BRP.

You will not get a BRP if you use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to prove your identity when applying for your visa. You’ll get a digital immigration status instead.

What’s on your BRP

Your BRP will include:

your name, date and place of birth

your fingerprints and a photo of your face (this is your biometric information)

your immigration status and any conditions of your stay

whether you can access public funds, for example benefits and health services

You may have a National Insurance (NI) number printed on the back of your BRP. Not all BRPs have this - it depends on factors like the date it was issued and your visa status.

You’ll need to apply for an NI number if all of the following apply:

there is not one on your BRP

you do not already have one

you’re planning to work, claim benefits, apply for a student loan or pay Class 3 voluntary National Insurance contributions

Guidance

Read the guidance about biometric residence permits if you’re applying from:

inside the UK

outside the UK

Give your fingerprints and photo

You’ll be asked to provide your fingerprints and photo (‘biometric information’) if you’re getting a biometric residence permit (BRP) as part of your visa or immigration application.

You need to:

have a digital photo taken of your face

put your fingers on a glass screen to be scanned

The process takes less than 5 minutes and does not involve any ink or mess. You will not need to take off your head covering if you wear it for religious or medical reasons.

If you do not have any fingers you only need to have a digital photo taken of your face. It will be noted on your records that you’re physically unable to provide fingerprints.

What children need to do when they give their biometric information

Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone over 18 who has legal responsibility for them.

Children do not need to give their fingerprints if they are under 5 when they apply.

Where to provide your biometric information

Where you give your biometric information depends on how you’re making your visa or immigration application.

If you’re applying from within the UK, you’ll usually go to one of the following:

a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

a Service and Support Centre (SSC)

a Post Office branch

If you’re outside the UK, you’ll be asked to go to a visa application centre.

Most overseas UK visa application centres are open, but some are closed until further notice because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Check with your local visa application centre for the latest information on the services they’re offering.

If you’re applying to extend your stay or switch to a different visa, you must be in the UK to provide your biometric information.

Fee

It costs £19.20 to give your biometric information (or reuse it if you’ve provided it before) if you apply from within the UK.

If you apply from outside the UK the cost is included in your application fee.

Getting your BRP

How you get your biometric residence permit (BRP) depends on where you made your visa or immigration application.

If you applied from inside the UK

Your BRP will be sent to you by courier. You do not need to collect it.

You’ll usually receive it within 7 to 10 days of getting your ‘decision letter’ from the Home Office saying that you can remain in the UK.

Find out what to do if your BRP has not arrived within 10 days.

Your BRP will be sent to the address you gave in your application. If you want it to be sent elsewhere, you need to update your address before you receive your decision letter.

If you applied from outside the UK

Collect your BRP once you’re in the UK.

You must usually do this before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.

Do not collect your BRP if you’re self-isolating because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Post Office will keep your BRP for 90 days. Collect it when you finish self-isolating.

Check your decision letter. It will tell you to collect your BRP from either:

a named Post Office branch

your sponsor, if you chose this option when you applied

You must be over 18 to collect a BRP.

If your Post Office branch is closed because of coronavirus, your BRP will be stored safely until it reopens. Contact your Post Office for more information.

What you’ll need

Bring your passport or travel document with your vignette sticker in when you collect your BRP.

You’ll get your vignette sticker when your visa application is approved. You have permission to come to the UK within 90 days of getting it.

Collecting a child’s BRP

You must be nominated to collect a child’s BRP, even if you’re the child’s parent.

The Home Office will contact you if you’re approved to collect the child’s BRP.

It’s currently taking over 30 days to approve requests to collect a BRP on behalf of a child. This is because of coronavirus.

If the child needs to leave and re-enter the UK before you’re approved to collect their BRP, apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’. This will let them re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154.

You do not need to be nominated if you’re also collecting your own BRP and you are named on your child’s vignette sticker.

Collecting your BRP from a different Post Office branch

You can choose to pick up your BRP from a different Post Office branch. You’ll need to arrange this at the branch and pay a fee.

Check that the Post Office branch you want to use offers a ‘BRP collection service’.

Nominate someone else to collect your BRP

You can nominate someone else to collect your BRP if you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from collecting it. They must provide your passport as evidence that you’ve entered the UK.

You cannot nominate someone to collect your BRP if you’re self-isolating because of coronavirus. Collect it when you finish self-isolating.

The person you nominate must have one of the following:

a passport

an EU national identity card

a BRP

You can get someone to make the nomination for you, for example a legal representative, charity, employer, college or university.

The Home Office will contact you if the person you nominate is approved to collect your BRP.

It’s currently taking over 30 days to approve nominations to collect a BRP on behalf of someone else. This is because of coronavirus.

If you need to leave and re-enter the UK before the person you’ve nominated to collect your BRP is approved, apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’. This will let you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154.

If you change your mind, you can still collect your BRP yourself or you can nominate a different person. You do not need to cancel the original nomination.

Nominate someone

Report a problem with collecting your BRP

Tell the Home Office if you cannot collect your BRP for any reason, for example:

you went to collect it from the Post Office and it was not there

you’ve lost your passport or travel document, or cannot prove your identity

you do not know which Post Office to go to because you’ve lost your decision letter

The Home Office will email you to tell you what to do next. It’s currently taking over 30 days to respond because of coronavirus. It’ll take longer if you do not give an email address.

If you need to leave and re-enter the UK before you get your BRP, apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’. This will let you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154.

Do not tell the Home Office that you cannot collect your BRP if you’re self-isolating because of coronavirus. Collect it when you finish self-isolating.

Report now

If there’s a problem with your BRP

Report any problems with your BRP within 10 days of collecting it.

If your BRP has not arrived

You will usually receive your biometric residence permit (BRP) within 10 days of getting your ‘decision letter’ from the Home Office if you applied from inside the UK.

Before your BRP arrives

You may be able to prove your immigration status a different way if your BRP has not arrived yet.

Prove your right to work

If the visa sticker (called a vignette) in your passport or travel document has not expired, you can use it as proof of your right to work in the UK.

If the vignette has expired, your employer can ask the Home Office to confirm your right to work.

Prove your right to rent in England

If the visa sticker (called a vignette) in your passport or travel document has not expired, you can use it as proof of your right to rent.

If the vignette has expired, your landlord can contact the Home Office to confirm your right to rent.

You do not need to prove your right to rent in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Prove your immigration status to the government or the NHS

If you need to prove your status to get benefits or use the NHS, tell the government department, local council or NHS service you’re dealing with that your BRP has not arrived. They will contact the Home Office to confirm your status.

Leave the UK

When you apply, you’ll need to:

choose the country you’re going to provide your fingerprints and photo in

confirm that you can travel to a visa application centre

Apply for a replacement BRP visa.

Open a bank account

You usually do not need a BRP to open a bank account. Contact the bank to check if you’ll need a BRP or if you can use a different document.

If your BRP has not arrived within 10 days

Contact the delivery provider TNT if either:

your BRP has not arrived within 10 days of you getting your decision letter

you missed the delivery of your BRP

The delivery provider will track your BRP and rearrange delivery, if needed.

You’ll need:

the postcode of the address you gave in your application

the consignment number

Your consignment number is a 9 number code - you’ll usually have it in an email from gov.notify and TNT.

Contact TNT to track or rearrange the delivery of your BRP.

If you do not have a consignment number or TNT is unable to help, tell the Home Office that your BRP has not arrived.

Tell the Home Office that your BRP has not arrived

You can contact the Home Office about your BRP delivery if:

you’ve applied from inside the UK

your ‘decision letter’ from the Home Office saying that you can remain in the UK arrived more than 10 days ago

You should only contact the Home Office if either:

you have already contacted the delivery provider, and they could not help you

you do not have a consignment number to track your delivery with the delivery provider

You’ll need the following information:

your full name, date of birth and nationality

an email or postal address

your decision letter

You can get someone to contact the Home Office for you, for example a legal representative, charity, employer, college or university.

The Home Office will email you to tell you what to do next. It’s currently taking over 30 days to respond because of coronavirus (COVID-19). It’ll take longer if you do not give an email address.

Do not use this service if the delivery provider tried to deliver your BRP and left a card, or sent a text message or email. Contact them to rearrange delivery.

Report now

Report a problem with your new BRP

If there’s a problem with your BRP when it arrives, report it within 10 days. Otherwise you may have to apply and pay for a replacement.

You can report online if your BRP does not arrive.

Mistakes in the length or conditions of your visa

If you applied for your visa from inside the UK, you can ask for an administrative review.

If your BRP expires on 31 December 2024

You do not need to tell UKVI if your BRP expires on 31 December 2024 but you have leave to stay longer.

UKVI will update their information on how to update your BRP in early 2024. You do not need to do anything and your immigration status will not be affected.

Other problems with your BRP

You can report other problems with your BRP online, for example:

there’s a mistake on it, for example your name, gender or date of birth is wrong

your BRP was damaged when it arrived

If your name is long it may appear ‘cut off’ on your BRP. This is not a mistake - it is because there is limited space on the BRP card. However, if there’s a spelling mistake, you must report it.

Report a problem with your BRP online

You’ll need to have the following:

your BRP number

your full name, date of birth and nationality as they appear on your BRP

an email or postal address

You can get someone to report the problem for you, for example a legal representative, a charity, employer, college or university.

Report a problem

If there is a problem with your BRP and you need to leave and re-enter the UK, apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’. This will let you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154.

If your BRP is lost or stolen

You can report your biometric residence permit (BRP) lost or stolen from inside or outside the UK. You can only order a replacement from inside the UK.

The Home Office will contact you within one working day of reporting it.

You can get someone to report for you, for example a legal representative, a charity, employer, college or university.

You will not be able to use your BRP if you find it after you report it lost or stolen.

If you’re in the UK

If your lost or stolen BRP was valid for 3 months or more, report it and apply for a replacement. You must do this within 3 months of losing it.

You can be fined up to £1,000 and made to leave the UK if you do not apply for a replacement within 3 months.

If your BRP was valid for 3 months or less, you must do one of the following:

report it as lost or stolen if you do not intend to remain in the UK after its expiry date

apply for a replacement if you plan to leave and re-enter the UK within 3 months of its expiry date

apply to extend your visa if you want to stay in the UK after its expiry date - if granted, you’ll automatically get a new BRP

If you’re outside the UK

You must report your lost or stolen BRP outside the UK.

You cannot apply for a replacement BRP outside the UK. Instead, you’ll need to apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’, which lets you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154.

You can apply for a replacement BRP when you return to the UK. You must do this within 3 months of reporting it lost or stolen unless you have a good reason, for example you were unable to return to the UK in that time.

If you’ve been away for over 2 years and you’ve lost your documentation proving your right to live in the UK, you can apply for a Returning Resident visa.

If you’re in North Korea you cannot apply for a replacement BRP visa online. Read the guidance for North Korea and use form VAF2 instead.

Replace an expired BRP

How you replace an expired BRP depends on whether you are in the UK and what type of leave you have.

If you have indefinite leave to remain or enter

Use the BRP replacement service from within the UK.

If your visa is about to expire

Your BRP expiry date is usually the same as the expiry date of your visa. To get a new BRP, you must first apply to extend your visa.

If it is granted, you will automatically get a new BRP.  You cannot use the BRP replacement service.

If you’re outside the UK

You cannot apply for a replacement BRP if it expires while you are outside the UK. Instead, you’ll need to apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’, which lets you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154.

You can apply for a replacement BRP when you return to the UK. You must do this within 3 months of its expiry unless you have a good reason, for example you were unable to return to the UK in that time.

Replace your visa with a BRP

You can apply for a biometric residence permit (BRP) to replace the visa (or wet ink stamp) in your passport or travel document, for example if:

your passport or travel document has expired or it’s been lost or stolen

the details on your visa (including your facial appearance) have changed

You must apply from inside the UK.

There’s a different way to prove you can live in the UK if you’re an EU citizen or related to someone from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

The fee and how you apply depend on your visa status.

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).

You have permission to settle (‘indefinite leave to remain’)

You must apply online if you have indefinite leave to remain. It costs £229. You’ll get a decision within 6 months.

If you want a faster decision you can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service. You’ll get a decision:

by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

You have temporary permission to stay in the UK (‘leave to remain’)

You can apply online if you have leave to remain. It costs £161. You’ll get a decision within 8 weeks.

You’re a Commonwealth citizen and do not have the documents to prove your right to stay in the UK

You may be eligible to get a BRP under the Windrush Scheme.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.


Report a change of circumstances if you have a visa or BRP

You're in the UK and have a BRP

You must report any changes in your circumstances if you’re in the UK and have either:

got a biometric residence permit (BRP)

applied for a BRP but have not had a decision yet

How you do this depends on what you’re reporting.

Report a change of address only

You can change your address without having to apply for a new BRP.

You can either:

report a change of address online

fill in the change of circumstances form and send it to the address on the form

Report a change to your name or personal details

You must apply for a new BRP straight away if any of these things change:

name, for example if you’ve got married

nationality

facial appearance

date of birth, for example if it was wrong

gender

Apply for a replacement BRP online. You’ll need to pay a fee.

You must apply for a new BRP within 3 months. You can be fined up to £1,000 or have your stay shortened if you do not.

Report all other changes

You must report any other changes to the details you gave in your BRP application, including if:

you get a criminal conviction

you separate from your partner

any of your children stop living permanently with you

Fill in the change of circumstances form and send it to the address on the form.

You're in the UK and have a visa

You must report any changes if you’re in the UK and have either:

got a visa

applied for a visa but haven’t had a decision yet

Changes to your name or personal details

You must transfer your visa to a biometric residence permit (BRP) if your overall stay in the UK is longer than 6 months and any of these details on your visa document change:

name

nationality

facial appearance

date of birth

gender

You’ll need to pay a fee.

You do not need to report these changes or transfer your visa if your stay in the UK is less than 6 months.

Fill in a change of circumstances form if you’ve applied for a visa but haven’t had a decision.

Report all other changes

Fill in the change of circumstances form to report any other changes of circumstances including:

your contact details

your legal representative’s details

dependent family members’ details

if you separate from your partner

if you get a criminal conviction

if any of your children stop living with you

Report a change of address only

You can update your address or your legal representative’s address online.

You're outside the UK

How you report a change of circumstances depends on how you applied and the status of your application.

If you have a UK Visas and Immigration account

You will have a UK Visas and Immigration account if you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ smartphone app to scan your identity document on your phone.

You’re still waiting for a decision about your application

You can change your email address or phone number by updating your account details. You cannot update your identity document, name or address if you’re still waiting for a decision.

You have a decision about your application

You can update your account details.

If you applied through a visa application centre

Contact the visa application centre where you applied if you’re outside the UK and there’s a change to your:

reason for going to the UK

address

personal details, for example your name, because you got married

You may need to make another visa application at your local visa application  centre.


Find an immigration adviser

Search for an adviser

You can get immigration advice from an immigration adviser if you need help with getting permission to stay in the UK.

Immigration advisers can help you with most things to do with immigration, including helping you to fill in the right forms and representing you at a tribunal. They do not make immigration decisions.

Check if the adviser is registered and if they charge a fee before you use them.

If you’re an EU citizen and you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living here after 30 June 2021. If you want to move to the UK from 1 January 2021, you may need to apply for a visa.

Find a registered immigration adviser

Use the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) Adviser Finder to find a registered adviser near you.

All immigration advisers must be registered with OISC or be a member of an approved professional body, for example The Law Society.

If you want legal help

You can find solicitors who give immigration advice through:

The Law Society if you live in England or Wales

The Law Society of Scotland

The Law Society of Northern Ireland

Regulating immigration advisers

OISC regulates immigration advisers and makes sure they meet certain standards. For example, advisers must:

carry insurance against giving poor advice

keep up to date with current immigration advice

OISC maintains a register of the immigration advisers that they regulate.

Make a complaint

You can complain about an immigration adviser if you think you’ve had a bad service.

You cannot get your money back if an adviser is not regulated.

Suspended immigration advisers

You can see a list of people who are banned from acting as immigration advisers.

What advisers can do

Immigration advisers are only allowed to give you advice on things they’re qualified to help you with.

You can see what advice they can give you by their ‘level’. There are 3 levels.

Check an immigration adviser is allowed to give you the advice you need before you use them.

Only a level 3 adviser can appear on your behalf at an immigration tribunal.

Level 1 - advice and assistance

A level 1 adviser can give you advice on simple cases, for example getting a business visa extension when you have no problems with work and all necessary documents.

Level 1 advisers can advise you on:

entry clearance

leave to enter

leave to remain

nationality and citizenship

EU and EEA law

The detailed guide explains what level 1 advisers can do.

Level 2 - casework

Level 2 advisers can do everything that Level 1 advisers can do, but can also accept more complicated cases.

You may want to use a level 2 adviser if you’ve had problems in the past with immigration and want permission to remain in the UK.

Advisers in this category can also help:

with claims for asylum and human rights applications

get your visa application decision reviewed (an ‘administrative review’)

if you entered the UK illegally or stayed after your visa expired

if you’re being removed or deported

The detailed guide explains what level 2 advisers can do.

Level 3 - advocacy and representation

Level 3 advisers can do everything that Level 1 and 2 advisers can.

They can also appear on your behalf at an immigration tribunal. In certain situations they can help you if you go to court.

The detailed guide explains what level 3 advisers can do.

Hiring an adviser

When you hire an immigration adviser:

find out how much they charge and if you’ll have to pay them

get a signed and dated receipt if you pay them any money

ask how much you’ll have to pay if you decide you do not want to use them any more

agree a fee before they do any extra work for you

Some advisers do not charge a fee. If they do not charge, you’ll still have to pay for any expenses like translation costs and application fees.

Legal aid can help pay for legal advice or representation at a court or tribunal - check if you’re eligible.

Your adviser must give you a letter immediately after you hire them saying:

what work they’re doing for you

how much you’ll be charged

how you’ll pay them

Complain about an adviser

You can complain to the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) about either:

bad service you received from an adviser registered with OISC

immigration advice you received from an unregulated person

You can also ask someone to make a complaint on your behalf, for example a friend, solicitor or voluntary organisation.

There’s a different way to complain about a legal adviser registered with a professional body but not regulated by OISC.

What you can and cannot complain about

You can complain about:

poor advice or service

unreasonable fees

an adviser claiming you’ll be successful

an adviser charging for work not done

an adviser missing deadlines or failing to appear in court

an adviser

You cannot make a complaint about:

how long your immigration application has taken

something that’s already part of an ongoing legal action

a refund or compensation

Home Office staff

a person or organisation outside the UK

You usually cannot make a complaint about something that happened more than 12 months ago - OISC will decide whether or not to investigate depending on the situation.

OISC may refer your complaint elsewhere if you complain about a solicitor or barrister.

Read more about how the OISC deals with complaints.

How to complain about an adviser regulated by OISC

The easiest way to complain is to:

download and fill in the complaints form

include any documents that are relevant with your complaint

send the complaints form and documents to complaints@oisc.gov.uk or by post to the address on the form.

The form is available in different languages and your complaint can be translated if needed.

You can get help from OISC staff to fill in the complaints form, but they cannot write your complaint for you.

Complain by letter

You can also make a complaint by sending a letter or email.

You need to provide as much detail as you can about who you’re making the complaint against and what the complaint is about.

How to complain about an unregulated adviser

You can email the OISC to report someone giving immigration advice who is not regulated by either the OSIC or another approved body.

Get help with your complaint

You can get support and advice from the:

Refugee Council England

Welsh Refugee Council

Scottish Refugee Council

Citizens Advice Northern Ireland

What happens next

You’ll get a letter within 5 days of making your complaint telling you how it’s going to be dealt with.

You’ll get a letter with a decision on your case within 5 months of making your complaint.

The OISC may decide to:

take action against the adviser, for example warn the adviser about their conduct

refer the complaint, for example if it’s about a solicitor or barrister