BRP roll out continues…
Biometric Resident Permits (BRPs) for all non-EEA nationals coming to the UK are being introduced across the globe throughout 2015.
BRPs have already replaced the traditional visa stamps affixed to migrants’ passports for in-country UK visa extensions but, as of 18 March this year, the Home Office began to execute plans to introduce BRPs for all overseas visa applications from non-EEA nationals wishing to stay in the UK for longer than six months, starting with those applications made in Pakistan.
About the size of a credit card, these BRPs will be available for applicants to collect from a designated Post Office up to ten days after they arrive in the UK and will display their name and personal details, along with their immigration status.
The Home Office has now confirmed that successful applications made from these countries on or after 15 April 2015 will be issued with BRPs:
- Burma
- Cambodia
- China (including Hong Kong)
- Indonesia
- Laos
- North Korea
- Thailand
- Vietnam
The Home Office has also announced that successful customers applying from Australia and New Zealand on or after 31 May 2015 will be issued with BRPs. Other countries will follow suit at later dates throughout the year.
Employers should be warned that the introduction of BRPs for all successful overseas applications may mean that two right to work checks will be necessary, as some migrants may be required to begin work before they are able to attend a Post Office to collect their BRP. We therefore advise employers to prepare themselves ahead of time by ensuring that the appropriate right to work checks are conducted.
Please contact Smith Stone Walters if you are worried about how these changes will affect your immigration strategy. Whether you are moving to the UK independently or as part of a larger corporate community, we pride ourselves on providing you with up-to-date UK immigration advice and support.
Click here to see the international roll-out schedule
