Lost or stolen passport and visa
What to do if your passport and/or visa is lost or stolen.
If your passport is lost or stolen, you will need to report the loss to the police in the country where the loss or theft occurred and make an application for a replacement passport. Contact your country's Embassy or High Commission in the country where you are now for information on how to do this. You may need to wait some time before you have your new passport.
If you have lost your passport and you also need to replace a valid vignette (if, for example, you have a vignette that covers the full duration of your studies), please see our "Lost Vignette" instructions below to apply for a replacement.
Lost Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
If you have lost your BRP in the UK, you should follow these steps:
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Step 1: Report the loss of the BRP to the police You must report the loss of your BRP card to the police. You will normally be given a report or crime reference number. |
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Step 2: Report the loss of the BRP to UKVI You will also need to report the loss of your BRP card to UKVI using the form below. |
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Step 3: Apply for a replacement BRP card You will need to apply for a replacement BRP card within 3 months of the loss, or you may receive a fine of up to £1,000. You must apply online. The cost of the application is £19. When you pay for your application online you will need to upload your documents and to book an appointment at a UKVCAS centre to enrol your biometrics (fingerprints). UKVCAS offer two types of appointments: Non chargeable These are released into the booking system at 09:00, 28 days in advance. Non chargeable appointments are mainly available from 10:00 Monday to Friday. Chargeable Available at all Service Points, these are released into the booking system at midnight. BRP replacement applications are normally processed within 8 weeks. The new BRP will be delivered to the correspondence address you specify in the application. If you wish to have your BRP delivered to the University of Edinburgh, please enter the following address: Student Immigration Service, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL. You should not book any travel until when you have received your new BRP card. If you need to travel due to a genuine emergency, please contact us for advice. |
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Step 4: Provide a copy of your new BRP to the University You will need to book an appointment to visit us in Old College. You should ensure that you have the following with you:
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If your BRP is valid for less than 3 months, you do not have to get a replacement.
We can help you check your BRP Replacement application.
If you have lost your BRP outside of the UK, you should follow these steps:
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Step 1: Report the loss of the BRP to the police You must report the loss of your BRP card to the local police. You will normally be given a report or crime reference number. |
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Step 2: Report the loss of the BRP to UKVI You will also need to report the loss of your BRP card to UKVI using the form below. |
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Step 3: Apply for a “single entry visa” You can apply for a “single entry visa” online at the link below. You should select the “BRP Vignette Transfer” option. You will need to select the country you are applying from (this is where you will submit your biometrics, or fingerprints) and to confirm you are applying to replace a biometric residence permit (BRP) visa. You do not need to provide a CAS or evidence of funds or qualifications etc. (unless requested by UKVI to show no change of circumstances). However, you should submit:
The application will cost £154, and will can take up to 2-3 weeks to be processed. Most countries will offer priority services at an extra cost. Make sure that you have somewhere safe to stay and that you have access to money. If your bank card has been stolen you should contact your bank and arrange financial support for yourself while abroad. The single-entry visa will be valid for one month from the date of issue and it will be a vignette (sticker) in your passport. You must use your single-entry visa to travel back to the UK. You should not attempt to travel back to UK without applying for a single-entry visa as you may not be permitted to board your flight and you may be refused entry to the UK if you cannot provide valid immigration permission. |
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Step 4: Apply for a new BRP when you return to the UK You will need to submit a BRP Replacement application within a month of returning to the UK, or you may receive a fine of up to £1,000. You must apply online. The cost of the application is £19. When you pay for your application online you will need to upload your documents and to book an appointment at a UKVCAS centre to enrol your biometrics (fingerprints). UKVCAS offer two types of appointments: Non chargeable These are released into the booking system at 09:00, 28 days in advance. Non chargeable appointments are mainly available from 10:00 Monday to Friday. Chargeable Available at all Service Points, these are released into the booking system at midnight. BRP replacement applications are normally processed within 8 weeks. The new BRP will be delivered to the correspondence address you specify in the application. If you wish to have your BRP delivered to the University of Edinburgh, please enter the following address: Student Immigration Service, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL. You should not book any travel until when you have received your new BRP card. If you need to travel due to a genuine emergency, please contact us for advice. |
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Step 5: Provide a copy of your BRP to the University You will need to book an appointment to visit us in Old College. You should ensure that you have the following with you:
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Lost vignette (sticker in your passport)
If your 30-day or 90-day vignette is lost or stolen before you travel to the UK, you will need to do the following:
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Report the loss or theft of your passport to the police
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Obtain a new passport from the relevant authorities
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Apply online for a Transfer of Conditions. You should select the following options: “BRP Vignette Transfer” and then “To replace your visa (vignette)”.
In the additional information section, you should explain that you have been granted a Student route visa to study in the UK, but you need a new vignette as your original one has been damaged, lost or stolen.
If your 30-day or 90-day vignette is lost or stolen after you arrive to the UK but before you can collect your BRP, you will have to notify the Home Office that you cannot collect your BRP. UKVI will email you, or send you, details of what you must do to collect your BRP.
The following information outlines the steps you will need to take if you lose your passport and the vignette (sticker) you have covers the full length of your immigration permission.
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Step 1: Apply for a Transfer of Conditions Transfer of Conditions application form The application costs £161 and normally takes 8 weeks. You will be required to submit your biometrics (fingerprints) as part of your application. You will be sent a BRP to replace your vignette. You should contact us if your immigration permission is due to expire soon. |
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Step 2: Provide a copy of your BRP to the University You will need to book an appointment to visit us in Old College. You should ensure that you have the following with you:
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The following information outlines the steps you will need to take if you lose your passport and the vignette (sticker) you have covers the full length of your immigration permission.
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Step 1: Report the loss of your passport and vignette to the police You will normally be given a report or crime reference number. |
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Step 2: Obtain a new passport You should contact your country’s embassy or consulate for information on how to do this. |
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Step 3: Apply for a vignette replacement Vignette replacement application You should select “BRP Vignette Transfer” and the “To transfer or replace your visa (vignette)”. You do not need a new CAS but should provide a certificate of matriculation, which you can download from MyEd. You should also submit a copy of your lost vignette if you have it. |
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Step 4: Provide a copy of your new vignette to the University once back in the UK You will need to book an appointment to visit us in Old College. You should ensure that you have the following with you:
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