speedy_star wrote: ↑Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:55 pm
I am wondering if someone could help me in the following matter. I am on the verge of applying for a replacement of a Biometric Residence Card. I want to upgrade/replace BRC issued under the EEA regulations with a BRC issued under the EU Settlement Scheme.
I have been informed that those who have already been issued a Biometric Residence Card (BRC) are not required to capture their fingerprints again. In this regard, they will receive an email from UKVC. Is it true? Does someone have that experience or knowledge of this? Please inform.
Not true.
For any new biometric card it is necessary to provide fresh biometric data, and this goes for any type of application. I have been in the UK for over 10 years, have renewed several visas and residence card several times, including Tier 4, Tier 2, EEA and Settled Status, and have provided fresh biometrics, every.single.time.
You might be confused by the fact that if applying to the EU Settlement Scheme via the app using a valid BRC, then the process does not trigger an invitation to provide fresh biometrics. This is because it is assumed that the applicant does not need a new biometric card as they can keep using their current, valid BRC (However, EEA cards are valid only until June 30th 2021, so this assumption is flawed. Not sure why the Home Office is still operating in this way.)
If the applicant does want to replace their EEA BRC by a EUSS one, then they need to apply for the card as a separate process after obtaining the EU Settled/Pre-Settled Status itself. And while doing so, they need to book an appointment, and provide fresh biometrics, just as anyone else.
My posts express what I believe are the facts, based on the best of my knowledge, about the topics discussed in this forum. They do not constitute immigration advice.