UK’s international roll out of Biometric Residence Permits for overseas immigration applications
UK Visas and Immigration started issuing Biometric Residence Permits for non-EEA nationals travelling to the UK in March 2015. With effect from 31st July 2015 all immigration applications made by non-EEA nationals from overseas for more than 6 months (so this does not include visitors) will receive a Biometric Residence Permit.
Applicants will now receive a 30 day vignette in their passport dated from the day they indicated as their intended travel date in their visa application. Once they enter the UK, they are required to collect their Biometric Residence Permit confirming the full length of the visa from a designated Post Office.
Applicants must collect their Biometric Residence Permit within 10 days of arrival in the UK from the Post Office branch detailed in their immigration decision letter. It is important for this to be done timeously as if applicants do not collect their Biometric Residence Permit within 10 days of arrival in the UK they may be subject to a financial penalty or cancellation of their visa.
The Post Office branch applicants will be allocated is linked to the postcode submitted in the visa application as to where s/he will stay on arrival in the UK. All applicants will receive a letter which provides instructions on how to collect their Biometric Residence Permit upon the grant of their initial visa in their home country.
What the UK employer need to be aware of?
If the individual would like to start work before collecting their Biometric Residence Permit, employers must conduct the right to work check by dating and retaining a copy of the migrant’s passport containing personal details and the 30 day vignette. As soon as the individual collects their Biometric Residence Permit, employers must ensure that a repeated right to work check by ensuring that the BRP is copied, dated and retained on file.