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UK residence cards include EEA biometric residence cards (BRCs) and BRCs issued through the EU Settlement Scheme.

You can no longer apply for or replace a UK residence card.

If you already have one, what you can use it for depends on whether you:

• have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• do not have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

Your card has been lost or stolen

Email BRCLost@homeoffice.gov.uk immediately if your residence card has been lost or stolen. You must include:

• your full name, date of birth and nationality
• your contact details
• your passport number
• your residence card reference number
• your police case reference number
• when, where and how the loss or theft occurred

Your card is damaged

Report a damaged residence card to BRCError@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Include the following in your email:

• your full name, date of birth and nationality
• your contact details
• your passport number
• your residence card reference number
• what the damage is

You can also send this information by post.

If you’ve found someone else’s lost or stolen residence card

If you’re in the UK, post the residence card to the Home Office using an envelope without a window.

Do not send any other items or documents with the residence card - they’ll be destroyed. If you’re outside the UK, hand the card in to the police or to the nearest British embassy or consulate.

You can continue to use your residence card until it expires. You can use it to:

• re-enter the country if you travel abroad
• get a share code online to prove your immigration status

You can also use your share code to:

• prove your right to work to an employer
• prove your right to rent to a landlord
• prove that you qualify for certain benefits

Lost, stolen or expired residence cards

You cannot replace a lost, stolen or expired residence card. You must still report that it’s been lost or stolen.

Residence cards are being replaced by eVisas. An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status.

You do not need to do anything to get an eVisa. You can see it in your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

You should keep your expired UK residence card. You may be able to use it to:

• travel to the UK until 1 June 2025, if your BRC issued through the EU Settlement Scheme expired on 31 December 2024
• apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (for example, to convert from pre-settled to settled status), if it expired less than 18 months ago

Re-entering the UK

Before you travel, you’ll need to log in to your UKVI account to check that your eVisa is linked to your current passport or travel document.

If you cannot update your UKVI account and you’re already abroad, you’ll need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme travel permit to travel back to the UK.

You cannot use your UK residence card at the border to enter the UK unless you applied to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021.

You might still be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you have not yet applied.

If your UK residence card expired less than 18 months ago, you can use it as proof of identity when you apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

You can apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK, and apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once you’re here.

If you cannot apply, check what type of visa you’ll need to come to the UK.