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13 Jun Who is allowed to re-use their fingerprint biometrics?

Posted on June 13, 2022 in Other Visas by
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On 17 May 2022, the Home Office published a new biometric guidance. Individuals who are holding a valid Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card (BRC) will be allowed to reuse their fingerprint biometrics if they are applying for leave under the Graduate route from 1 July 2021, or applying for leave under the Skilled Worker scheme and Student route from 14 December 2021, or they are applying for a replacement of a BRP or BRC. However, migrants must still upload a new facial image via the Identity Verification App.

In order to reuse their fingerprint biometrics, migrants will need to meet the following requirements:

  • UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has previously enrolled and retained the applicant’s fingerprint biometrics or the individual is permanently unable to enrol their fingerprints;
  • The migrant must hold a valid BRP;
  • The individual must be aged 5 years old or over;
  • The existing facial photograph stored on the Immigration and Asylum Biometric System must not be older than 10 years, or 5 years for migrants who are aged under 16, at the date of submission of the application and the individual uploads a new facial image;
  • The migrant must use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ App.

 

Please note that the UKVI will request individuals to re-enrol their biometrics (both a facial image and fingerprints), if the officials are unable to confimr their identity.

Applicants who submitted a successful application and are a visa national will receive a new BRP alongside their eVisa, which contains their fingerprints and their facial image. Non-visa citizens will only receive an eVisa.

Please note that the facial image submitted by using ID Check App will be shown on the migrant’s eVisa, and they will be able to view and share their immigration status via the official website: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status.

Applying for a replacement BRP and BRC

Migrants who are applying for a replacement of a BRP or BRC, might be able to reuse their biometrics if they can meet the following requirements:

  • UKVI has retained the migrant’s fingerprint biometrics;
  • The information on the face of the BRP card and the chip remains the same as their previous document;
  • The applicant is aged 5 years or older;
  • The expiry date of the BRP card remains the same;
  • The facial photograph on the document will not be older than 10 years, or 5 years for BRP cards issued to migrants aged under 16, on the expiry date of the replacement card;
  • The individual has not changed his/her address in the last 6 months.

 

Contact Our Immigration Team

For expert advice regarding any aspect of the UK visa application, please contact our immigration team on 0203 384 3075.

The content of this article is for general use and information only. Since each case should be prepared on its own merit and in light of the constant amendments to the Immigration Rules, it is important to note that the information provided must not be relied upon unless Migra & Co has either given written consent or has been officially engaged in relation to a specific immigration matter. As a result, Migra & Co will take no responsibility for any damage, cost or loss resulting from relying on the information contained in this article, blog and website.