Post
by feigoronin » Mon Feb 05, 2024 8:39 pm
Hi,
There is no fee being charged for ILR BRP renewal now(though I was charged 75.20 GBP in 2022). Wife applied for it in Dec'23, submitted the biometrics on 11th Dec at London Mark Lane, Sopra Steria, 20 Mark Lane London. Was not charged a penny and we did not opt for any additional services from UKVACS nor did she go for a premium appointment.
Received the decision via e-mail on 30th Jan afternoon that "Your application for a replacement Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) has been successful." and got the BRP card delivered by Royal mail on 1st Feb'24. She was also sent some e-mails in between that BRP card will be delivered via Royal mail with tracking details etc. It's not a signed for delivery, was put through the letterbox.
So over all it took less than 8 weeks, I got mine in less than 6 weeks in 2022. If you have a straightforward application and have submitted all documents asked for, give it about 8 weeks, you should get it. You can contact home office 03007906268, Option 2, Monday to Thursday 9 am to 4:45 pm(until 4:30 on Fri) but I won't recommend contacting them unless you have to travel for an emergency.
She did call them, as she has a business travel coming up(old BRP expiring on 18-Feb-2024), and they advised not to travel if there was a possibility of the current BRP card expiring before return to the UK. For emergencies they will ask for proof regarding the emergency(medial only) but no guarantee that this will speed things up. The whole process is extremely opaque with no means of tracking whatsoever unfortunately. You still need your BRP for travelling out of the UK(and coming back) or when applying for say Schengen visa or any other country visa. No option of using the share code in their visa applications as they ask for Visa number and Expiry date in their forms.
The letter that came with the BRP card had the following message:
"The Home Office is developing a border and immigration system which will be digital by default. The ambition is to phase out physical documents before the end of 2024 as we move towards a system of online evidence of immigration status (eVisas). UKVI will update their information on the future of BRPs in early 2024.
We are introducing an aligned BRP and National Insurance Number (NINo) process, on a phased basis, for migrants aged 16 or over.
This currently applies to migrants who have been granted leave in any Tier 2/Skilled Worker category or as a refugee. In such cases, your NINo will appear in the remarks on the reverse of your BRP, so there is no need for you or your employer to make a separate application to the Department for Work and Pensions to obtain one"
Hope this helps and good luck.
