If your Student visa (previously Tier 4) application is successful, you will receive an initial visa which is valid for 90 days that allows you to travel to the UK alongside a decision letter explaining the full details of your immigration permission.
The decision letter will also inform you that you must collect a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a specific Post Office within 10 days of arriving in the UK. Please note, the 90-day Student visa entry clearance vignette should have a valid-from date based on your course start date.
Collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
This information is relevant for students who are completing a course that is longer than six months.
What is a Biometric Residence Permit?
A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is a standard credit card sized plastic card that contains a biometric chip. The card is evidence of the holder’s immigration status in the UK and stores biometric details (name, date and place of birth) and biometric information (facial image and fingerprints).
Do I need a BRP?
Yes. As an international student studying in the UK for more than six months you will need a BRP to demonstrate you have been issued a Student visa to study your course.
Can I collect my BRP from London Metropolitan University?
Unfortunately the answer to this question is no. London Metropolitan University is not an Alternative Collection Location (ACL) therefore your BRP will be delivered to the Post Office of your choice, and we recommend that you to choose a branch that is close to your accommodation or the university.
You will need to collect your BRP from the allocated Post Office within 10 days of arrival to the UK. Please note, you will not be penalised if you cannot pick up your BRP because you are completing your mandatory quarantine period.
To help find the nearest Post Office to collect your BRP, please visit the Post Office Branch Finder website.
Follow these instructions:
- Type the Post Code of your accommodation or London Metropolitan University (in case you have not sorted your accommodation)
- Click choose service
- Scroll down to Home Office Services
- Click BRP card collection services
- Press search
What must I do when I collect my BRP?
It is important to check the BRP carefully when you collect it, to make sure that all the details on it are correct. Please check the following:
- Spelling of your name
- Date of birth and place of birth
- Nationality
- Type of permit – ‘Student’
- The date it expires corresponds to your course length
- Signature
- Gender
- The visa is sponsored by London Metropolitan University – Sponsor Licence D7G4NYBW3
If I am under 18 can I collect my BRP?
Yes, but if you are under 18 and will be collecting your BRP in person, you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian collecting their permit at the same time, or be accompanied by a responsible adult (over the age of 18). The responsible adult must be approved by the Home Office and will have to provide evidence of their identity when accompanying you to collect your BRP.
To nominate someone, please complete the Home Office form.
What should I do if I've lost my decision letter and don't know which Post Office branch holds my biometric residence permit?
If you've lost your decision letter and cannot remember the Post Office branch holding your biometric residence permit, or if your BRP has not arrived or you need to report a problem with your new BRP, you may report this through the Home Office online system or contact adviceinternational@londonmet.ac.uk.
For further information about the Biometric Residence Permit, please read the guidance published by the Home Office.