Biometric Residence Permits (BRP)
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Biometric Residence Permits (BRP)
If you are applying to study at the University of Sunderland for 6 months or more, you will be issued with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
Your BRP is the same size as a bank card and is issued by the UKVI. This is evidence that you have valid leave in the UK.
What your Biometric Residence permit will show
Your BRP card is your visa, this is proof of your valid leave in the UK. Your BRP card should state the following details:
- Your personal details – Full name, Date of birth and Nationality.
- Visa expiry date – this should be checked carefully as it indicates the date you can remain in the UK until
- Type of permit - your BRP should indicate "T4 GENERAL STUDENT LEAVE TO ENTER" (for Student route Visa applications made outside of the UK) or "STUDENT ROUTE LEAVE TO REMAIN" (for Tier 4 visa applications made from within the UK).
- Number of working hours – this is important to check as it reflects how many hours you can work whilst studying.
- Sponsor license number – University of Sunderland sponsorship number is URU3HMVC0
Collecting your BRP
If you made your visa application from within the UK, you should have stated a corresponding address on your application form. This is where your BRP card will be delivered.
If you made your visa application from outside the UK, you will be issued a vignette in your passport that will allow you to enter the UK once. When you have arrived in the UK, you must collect your BRP card within 10 days. Please check your decision letter as this will tell you where to collect your BRP card from. This may be a named Post Office branch or the University.
Under the age of 18?
You must be over the age of 18 to collect a BRP card. If you need to collect your BRP card from a Post Office, please contact International Student Support. An adviser will need to travel to the Post Office with you to collect your BRP card.
BRP Card Errors & Corrections
When you receive your BRP card, please check this carefully as mistakes can happen. If you believe that there is an error on your BRP card, please speak to an International Student Support Advisor as soon as possible. Errors must be reported within 10 days of receiving your BRP card.
If there is an error on your BRP card, we may need to post this back to the UKVI for correction. During this time, you should not make any travel arrangements until you have received your corrected BRP card back from the UKVI.
If you believe that there is a mistake regarding the length of leave stated on your BRP Card, International Student Support will assess this against your course dates. If your leave is incorrect, we will report this to the UKVI and update you once we have received a response.
BRP Replacements (Lost & Stolen)
If your BRP card is valid for 3 months or more and your card is lost or stolen this must be reported.
If you lose your BRP card from within the UK, you must:
- Report the loss or theft to the police. You will be issued a crime reference number. Keep this number safe as you will need this when you make your BRP card replacement application.
- Report loss or theft to the UKVI.
- Make a BRP card replacement application within 3 months of your BRP card being lost or stolen.
If you lose your BRP card outside the UK, you must:
- Report the loss or theft to the police. You will be issued a crime reference number. Keep this number safe as you will need this when you make your BRP card replacement application.
- Report loss of theft to the UKVI.
- You cannot apply for a replacement BRP card from outside the UK. Instead you must apply for a replacement BRP visa that allows you re-enter the UK once.
- Once you have arrived back in the UK you will then need to make a BRP card replacement application.
You can book an appointment with an International Student Support Adviser to check your application form before you submit. You should not make travel arrangements whilst your BRP card application form is pending.
REPORT TO UKVI | BRP REPLACEMENT APPLICATION