Lost passports & visas
In April 2013, UKBA will change the visa application fees as well as the in-UK application procedures – withdrawing the paper application form for some application routes. Additionally, UKBA will be abolished and will become 2 separate departments within the 'Home Office'. International Student Support will update and weblinks information here as soon as possible however this may take time while we familiarise ourselves with the new regulations.
Remember, you should only take immigration advice from a regulated adviser - look out for the OISC 'tick' logo on any websites you use.
It is important that you keep your passport and Biometric Residence Permit safe as they are both documents vital to your stay in the UK and to any travel abroad. We advise that you keep a copy of both documents in a safe place (perhaps ask your family or friends to safely store a copy for you) as well as storing the originals safely. Please take extra care of these documents when you are travelling in countries or cities which are unfamiliar to you.
If your passport or Biometric Residence Permit is stolen or lost, we have provided some information below to help you to replace these documents.
- In UK: passport (containing visa sticker)
- In UK: passport only
- In UK: BRP only
- Outside UK: passport (containing visa sticker)
- Outside UK: passport only
- Outside UK: BRP only
Inform the police
You should contact the Police to inform them that your passport has been lost/stolen (Strathclyde Police: 0141 532 2000). They will give you a crime reference number and/or a police report – make sure you store these somewhere safe as you will need them.
Contact your country’s embassy
You should then contact your country’s embassy to explain what has happened and to ask how to replace your passport. You may be required to take the application to the embassy to submit it in person (please note that some embassies are in London). It is important that you apply to replace your passport immediately as the process can take several weeks. Please refer to your embassy for guidance on their specific procedures and on how long it may take.
Replace your visa
If your lost passport contained your visa in the form of a sticker, you will need to apply to have your visa reissued. The relevant application form is the TOC form and the current fees are £147 (for postal applications) and £522 (for in-person applications). Currently, a TOC application also means that the applicant will be applying for a Biometric Residence Permit. Applicants must provide their biometric details and will be issued with a visa in the form of a card, rather than a sticker in their passport.
If there is 8 weeks or less left on your lost visa, please make an appointment with the International Student Advisers to take further advice.
Update the university and the police nationalities unit with your new passport and visa details
All students are required to inform the university of any change in their passport and visa details. Therefore, you must bring your new passport & BRP card to the Student Services Enquiry Desk, level 2, Fraser Building for copying. If you are also required to register with the Police, you must take your new passport & BRP card to the Police to update your Police Registration Certificate.
Inform the police
You should contact the Police to inform them that your passport has been lost/stolen (Strathclyde Police: 0141 532 2000). They will give you a crime reference number and/or a police report – make sure you store these somewhere safe as you will need them.
Contact your country’s embassy
You should then contact your country’s embassy to explain what has happened and to ask how to replace your passport. You may be required to take the application to the embassy to submit it in person (please note that some embassies are in London). It is important that you apply to replace your passport immediately as the process can take several weeks. Please refer to your embassy for guidance on their specific procedures and on how long it may take.
Update the university, UKBA and the police nationalities unit with your new passport details
All students are required to inform the university of any changes in their passport details. Therefore, you must bring your new passport to the Student Services Enquiry Desk, level 2, Fraser Building. If you are also required to register with the Police, you must take your new passport to the Police to update your Police Registration Certificate. You must also update UKBA with your new passport details by filling in a Migrant Change of Circumstances form.
Inform the police
You should contact the Police to inform them that your Biometric Residence Permit has been lost/stolen (Strathclyde Police: 0141 532 2000). They will give you a crime reference number and/or a police report – make sure you store these somewhere safe as you will need them.
Inform UKBA
If your biometric residence permit is lost or stolen, you must also report the loss or theft to the UK Border Agency soon as possible by e-mailing BRPLost@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk The content that is required in your e-mail can be found at the UKBA website.
Replace your BRP card
You must then use application form BRP(RC) to apply for another permit. You must do this within 3 months of reporting the theft or loss, otherwise may have to pay a financial penalty of up to £1,000 or the UKBA may shorten your permission to stay. The current application fee (postal applications only) is £38. There is no option to apply in person. If you are nearing the end of your course or nearing the visa expiry date, please contact the International Student Advisers for further advice.
Update the university and the police nationalities unit with your new BRP details
All students are required to inform the university of any change in their visa details. Therefore, you must bring your new BRP card to the Student Services Enquiry Desk, level 2, Fraser Building for copying. If you are also required to register with the Police, you must take your new BRP card to the Police to update your Police Registration Certificate.
Inform the local police
You should contact the Police in the area you are staying to inform them that your Biometric Residence Permit has been lost/stolen. They should give you a crime reference number and/or a police report – make sure you store these somewhere safe as you will need them.
Contact your country’s embassy
You should then contact your country’s embassy to explain what has happened and to ask how to replace your passport. You must not try to travel with photocopies of your passport and visa - the Border Force Officers will not permit you entry to the UK without an original passport and visa.
Apply for a visa to return to the UK
Once you have your passport, you will need to apply to get a fresh entry clearance visa and pay the full application fee. The UKBA website has more details on how to apply under the Tier 4 (General) category, however if this is your situation, please contact the International Student Advisers for specific advice before you apply.
Update the university, UKBA and the police nationalities unit with your new passport and visa details
All students are required to inform the university of any changes in their passport and visa details. Therefore, you must bring your new passport to the Student Services Enquiry Desk, level 2, Fraser Building. If you are also required to register with the Police, you must take your new passport to the Police to update your Police Registration Certificate. You must also update UKBA with your new passport details by filling in a Migrant Change of Circumstances form.
Inform the local police
You should contact the Police in the area you are staying to inform them that your passport has been lost/stolen. They should give you a crime reference number and/or a police report – make sure you store these somewhere safe as you will need them.
Contact your country’s embassy
You should then contact your country’s embassy to explain what has happened and to ask how to replace your passport. You must not try to travel with a photocopy of your passport - the Border Force Officers will not permit you entry to the UK without an original passport.
Update the university, UKBA and the police nationalities unit with your new passport details
All students are required to inform the university of any changes in their passport details. Therefore, you must bring your new passport to the Student Services Enquiry Desk, level 2, Fraser Building. If you are also required to register with the Police, you must take your new passport to the Police to update your Police Registration Certificate. You must also update UKBA with your new passport details by filling in a Migrant Change of Circumstances form.
Inform the local police
You should contact the Police in the area you are staying to inform them that your Biometric Residence Permit has been lost/stolen. They should give you a crime reference number and/or a police report – make sure you store these somewhere safe as you will need them.
Inform UKBA
You must also report the loss or theft to the UK Border Agency as soon as possible by e-mailing BRPLost@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk The content that is required in your e-mail can be found at the UKBA website.
Apply for a temporary visa to allow you to return to the UK
You must apply for a temporary visa to return to the UK after you have reported your BRP as lost/stolen. You will need to apply at the local Visa Application Centre in the country which you are in. More details about how to apply are given at the UKBA website. You must not try to travel with a photocopy of your BRP - the Border Force Officers will not permit you entry to the UK without an original visa.
Once you have returned to the UK, replace your BRP card
Once you return to the UK, you must then apply for a replacement BRP within 1 month of your arrival (and before the expiry date on your temporary visa). You must use application form BRP(RC) to apply for another permit.
Update the university and the police with your new BRP details
All students are required to inform the university of any change in their visa details. Therefore, you must bring your temporary visa and then your new BRP card to the Student Services Enquiry Desk, level 2, Fraser Building for copying. If you are also required to register with the Police, you must take your temporary visa and then your new BRP to the Police to update your Police Registration Certificate.