BRP Renewal vs Visa Extension UK 2026: HR Guide & Fees

BRP replacement/renewal (for lost, damaged, or expired physical cards) no longer applies in most cases, as all BRPs expired by 31 December 2024 and physical cards are phased out.Access your unchanged underlying permission digitally via a free UKVI account/eVisa; replacement BRP applications are unavailable, though a single-entry temporary vignette may cost £154 if needed for urgent return from overseas.

Visa extension extends your legal stay duration and grants an updated eVisa (digital status only, no physical BRP issued).Fees typically £769–£1,751+ (route-dependent, in-UK), plus Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year for most adults; £776/year for students/children), biometrics (often included), with current eligibility/salary rules applying.

Digitization status — Physical BRPs are fully replaced by eVisas; all holders must use a UKVI account to view/prove status online (share codes for employers/landlords).Visa vignettes/stickers are also phasing out in 2026 (e.g., many visit visas from February 2026 onward deliver eVisa only), completing the shift to a fully digital immigration system.

Common pitfalls — Mistaking eVisa setup for an extension (risking proof issues without digital access), delaying UKVI account creation post-2024 BRP expiry, using outdated physical docs, or forgetting IHS in extensions.Always verify status via gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status early to avoid overstaying, travel, work, or service problems.

Introduction

For document processing teams and HR coordinators managing immigration compliance for employees in the UK, distinguishing between Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) renewal and visa extension is critical to avoid disruptions in legal residency and employment. In 2025, the UK Home Office continues to streamline immigration processes, with BRPs remaining a key document for non-EEA nationals (and some EEA nationals post-Brexit) to prove their right to live, work, or study in the UK. However, confusion often arises between renewing an expiring BRP and extending the underlying visa or leave to remain. This article provides a clear, actionable comparison of these processes, tailored for HR and document processing professionals. It covers definitions, eligibility, procedures, costs, timelines, and the role of immigration services like Jobbatical in ensuring compliance, reflecting updates such as the April 2025 BRP digitization trials and September 2025 fee adjustments.

What is a BRP?

The Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is a physical card issued to non-EEA nationals (and certain EEA nationals post-Brexit) granted leave to remain in the UK for over six months. It contains biometric data (photo, fingerprints) and immigration details (visa type, validity). BRPs are mandatory for most visa holders, including Skilled Worker, Innovator Founder, and Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa holders, to evidence their immigration status and access services like employment or healthcare.

What is BRP Renewal vs. Visa Extension?

BRP Renewal: Replacing an expiring, lost, stolen, or damaged BRP card without altering the underlying visa or leave duration. The new BRP retains the same expiry date as the original leave.
Visa Extension: Applying to extend the duration of leave to remain in the UK, typically before the current visa expires, which may result in a new BRP with an updated expiry date reflecting the extended leave.

Key Differences

Aspect	BRP Renewal	Visa Extension
Purpose	Replace/update BRP card only	Extend legal stay in the UK
Impact on Leave	No change to visa duration	Extends visa/leave duration
When to Apply	BRP expiring, lost, stolen, or damaged	Before visa/leave expires
Outcome	New BRP with same leave expiry	New leave period; often new BRP issued
Typical Applicants	Visa holders with valid leave	Visa holders nearing leave expiry

BRP Renewal: Process and Requirements

When to Apply

Expiry - Physical BRPs all expired on 31 December 2024 (regardless of the printed expiry date or underlying leave end date), marking the end of physical card validity; no routine renewals or replacements for BRPs are now available.If your underlying permission remains valid beyond that date, access it digitally via a free UKVI account/eVisa (create one immediately if not done); transitional use of expired BRPs for travel ended on 1 June 2025, and expired cards can only be used for up to 18 months post-expiry (until ~30 June 2026) to set up your eVisa.
Lost/Stolen/Damaged - Physical BRP replacements are no longer issued or processed routinely (discontinued since late 2024/early 2025); report loss/theft to authorities/police as required, but rely on digital status.Create or link to your UKVI account immediately to view/prove your unchanged eVisa online (free, no application needed for existing permission); in rare urgent overseas return cases, a single-entry temporary vignette may be requested instead.
Details Changed (e.g., name, gender, appearance) - Update your personal details through a formal application if required for your visa route (e.g., via extension/switch or specific change-of-circumstances form), which updates your digital eVisa record.No separate "BRP update" exists; changes are handled digitally in your UKVI account once processed, and you may need to provide evidence/biometrics depending on the route.
2026 Update - The full transition to eVisas is complete: physical BRPs are phased out entirely, visa vignettes/stickers are being replaced (e.g., many categories from February 2025 onward, full stop later in 2026), with all new grants/extensions delivering digital status only.Apply for eVisa access (UKVI account setup) as soon as possible if not already done — it's free and essential for proving status to employers, landlords, border control, or services; no "digitization trials" remain, as the system is now standard.

Eligibility

Valid UK leave to remain.
Non-EEA national (or EEA national with pre-Brexit BRP).
No changes to underlying visa conditions required.

Application Process

Report Loss/Theft (if applicable): Notify Home Office via GOV.UK; obtain police report for theft.
Complete Online Form: Use GOV.UK’s “Replace your visa (BRP or vignette)” service.
Submit Biometrics: Book appointment at UKVCAS centre (or Sopra Steria for legacy cases).
Provide Documents: Passport, proof of leave, police report (if applicable), evidence of name change (if relevant).
Processing Time: 8 weeks standard; priority service (£500–£800) may reduce to 1–2 weeks.

Costs (2025 Rates)

Application Fee: £154 for a single-entry visa to replace a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) — this remains the standard fee for overseas applicants needing temporary physical proof to return to the UK (no increase noted from 2025 rates; in-UK replacements are no longer routinely processed as physical BRPs are phased out).Free UKVI account setup provides digital eVisa access for existing permission — no fee for viewing/proving status online.
Biometrics Fee: Included in the £154 application fee where a single-entry replacement visa is applied for (e.g., overseas).No separate biometrics charge for standard eVisa access or UKVI account linking/creation.
IHS: Not applicable for pure BRP replacement/single-entry visa applications, as this does not extend or grant new leave (only replaces proof of existing status).IHS applies only if applying for a visa extension or new grant that increases stay duration.
Priority Service: £500–£1,000+ (optional, varies by route/location and availability; often £500–£800 for faster processing on eligible applications like single-entry replacements).Not typically needed or available for eVisa setup/viewing, which is free and immediate once your UKVI account is created.

Physical BRP replacements are now exceptional (mostly unavailable in-UK; redirected to eVisa), so costs focus on rare transitional needs. Always check official GOV.UK pages (e.g., "replace BRP" or "eVisa") for your specific situation, as processes depend on location and visa type.

Visa Extension: Process and Requirements

When to Apply

Before current visa/leave expires - You must apply online before your existing permission ends to maintain continuous lawful status (applying even one day late results in overstaying, which can impact future applications, work rights, or settlement).The Home Office recommends preparing early; you can usually apply up to 3 months before expiry (e.g., for Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, or similar sponsored routes), but avoid applying too far in advance if it shortens time counted toward indefinite leave to remain (ILR/settlement).

Common for Skilled Worker, Innovator Founder, or GBM visa holders seeking to extend stay - Extensions are standard in these work/business routes if you continue meeting eligibility (e.g., same/suitable job for Skilled Worker, progress milestones for Innovator Founder, or assignment limits for Global Business Mobility – Senior/Specialist).Apply in-UK via your UKVI account (digital process only, no physical BRP issued); successful extensions grant updated eVisa with new duration (typically 2–5 years depending on route and circumstances).

2026 Update - Transitional salary protections continue for Skilled Worker extensions (e.g., lower thresholds/allowances permitted if applying before 1 December 2026 and first CoS before 22 July 2025), but standard threshold remains £41,700 or going rate (whichever higher) for most new/extended cases.

Eligibility

Meet original visa route requirements (e.g., salary thresholds, endorsement for Innovator Founder).
Continuous residence in the UK (no more than 180 days’ absence per year for settlement routes).
English proficiency (if applicable); maintenance funds (£1,270 for applicant, £285–£315 per dependant).

Application Process

Confirm Eligibility: Check visa-specific requirements (e.g., Certificate of Sponsorship for Skilled Worker, endorsement renewal for Innovator Founder).
Submit Online Application: Via GOV.UK, including updated documents (e.g., payslips, business plans, CoS).
Pay Fees: Includes application fee, IHS (£1,035/year), and biometrics.
Attend Biometrics Appointment: At UKVCAS centre.
Processing Time: 8 weeks standard (inside UK); 3 weeks (outside UK). Priority (£500–£1,000) or super-priority (£1,000) services available.

Costs (2026 Rates, Examples)

Visa Type	Application Fee (Inside UK)	IHS (Example Duration)	Total (Approx., Example)
Skilled Worker	£885 (up to 3 years) £1,751 (more than 3 years)	£3,105 (3 years)	£3,990 (up to 3 years) £4,856 (more than 3 years + extra IHS if longer)
Innovator Founder	£1,590 (extend/switch)	£3,105 (3 years)	£4,695 (plus £1,000 endorsement fee to endorsing body, if required)
Global Business Mobility (Senior / Specialist Worker)	£885 (up to 3 years) £1,519–£1,751 (more than 3 years, route-dependent)	£2,070 (2 years example)	£2,955–£3,791 (for 2 years; varies by exact duration/assignment length)

Strategic Considerations for HR and Document Teams

Timeline Planning: Initiate visa extensions 3 months before expiry; BRP renewals within 1 month of loss/expiry. Allow 8–12 weeks for standard processing.
Common Pitfalls: Missing IHS payment (25% of extension rejections); outdated BRP details disrupting right-to-work checks.
Cost Management: Budget ~£4,500–£5,000 for extensions (3 years); ~£154–£954 for BRP renewals with priority.
Jobbatical Support: Offers compliance audits, document pre-checks, and liaison with UKVCAS, reducing rejection risks and ensuring alignment with 2026 regulations.

Comparison Summary

Feature	BRP Renewal	Visa Extension
Scope	Physical card replacement	Extends legal residency
Cost (2025)	£154 (standard)	£2,368–£4,695 (visa + IHS)
Processing Time	8 weeks (1–2 with priority)	8 weeks (1–2 with priority)
Documents Needed	Passport, proof of leave	CoS/endorsement, payslips, etc.
Settlement Impact	None	Progresses ILR eligibility

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between BRP renewal and visa extension is essential for HR coordinators and document processing teams to maintain employee compliance and operational continuity in 2026. BRP renewal ensures valid proof of status, while visa extensions secure prolonged legal stay, each with distinct processes and costs. Leveraging services like Jobbatical can streamline both, offering expertise in document preparation, compliance with 2025 updates, and efficient application management. For detailed guidance, consult Jobbatical to safeguard your team’s immigration strategy.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main difference between BRP renewal and visa extension?

BRP renewal (or replacement) only replaces a lost, stolen, damaged, or expiring physical Biometric Residence Permit card without changing your underlying visa duration or leave to remain — the new card (or now eVisa) keeps the same expiry date. Visa extension, however, applies to extend your legal stay in the UK (e.g., before your current permission expires), which grants a new period of leave and typically results in an updated eVisa (or historically a new BRP) — it does not just update proof of status.

Do I need to renew my BRP or extend my visa when my BRP is expiring?

If your underlying visa/leave is also expiring, you must apply for a visa extension (not just BRP renewal) to continue staying legally in the UK — BRP renewal alone won't extend your permission and could lead to overstaying or loss of work rights. In 2026's fully digital era, physical BRP replacements are largely unavailable (phased out since late 2024/early 2025); instead, create a free UKVI account to access your eVisa for proof of unchanged status, or apply for extension if you need more time (costs much higher, including IHS surcharge).

What are the costs and when should I apply for each?

BRP renewal/replacement costs around £154 (2025 rate, overseas/single-entry cases) with biometrics included and no IHS — apply when the card is lost/damaged/expired but your leave remains valid (processing ~8 weeks standard). Visa extension costs significantly more (e.g., £298–£1,590 application fee + £1,035/year IHS, totaling ~£2,368–£4,695 for common routes like Skilled Worker/GBM over 2–3 years) — apply 3 months before your visa expires to avoid gaps, with priority options (£500–£1,000+) for faster decisions.

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