Lost passports, visas, biometric residence permits, and police registration certificates
If any of these items have been lost or stolen they should be reported to the police immediately.
You should keep a copy of the police report as this will be needed to support your application for a replacement document.
Passports
If your passport is missing and you have reported it to the police you should contact your Embassy and find out how you replace it. Contact information for all the foreign embassies in the UK.
You cannot apply to replace your visa until you have a new passport.
Visas (vignette) contained within a passport
Outside the UK
If your visa is contained within a passport that has been lost or stolen and you are due to travel back to the UK you will need to contact the airline with which you are travelling to see if they will carry you without your visa being visible to them. In some countries there may be a representative from the British Embassy that can be contacted through the airline that will be able to give your permission to fly.
Once you arrive in the UK you should explain to the Immigration Officer what happened to your visa. He will probably ask to see some evidence of your status in the UK such as:
- Student status letter from the University.
- Copy of your visa that has now been lost.
- Police report for the lost or stolen passport.
Once you return to the University you should contact the International Student Adviser for assistance in replacing your visa. However in some countries you will need to follow the steps below for replacement of a biometric residence permit.
In the UK
Contact the International Student Advisers and they will assist you to make an application to replace your visa. You cannot begin this process until you have a replacement passport. Please be aware that you must have a police report number and you will be liable for the UKBA fee.
Biometric Residence Permit (ID Card)
Outside of the UK
If your visa details are contained on a BRP and you are outside the UK you should apply to return to the UK on a Single Entry Visa; this visa does not confer any other conditions from your leave to remain. This visa will be valid for one month from the date of issue.
You must:
- Report the loss of your BRP to the local Police and obtain a police report.
- Report the loss to UKBA Customer Contact Centre by phoning 0044 208 527 3623.
- Apply for a single entry visa (VAF9 (PBS) or Biometric Residence Permit); stating in section 7 that you are applying for a single entry visa because of a loss or theft of a BRP.
- Pay the fee of £70 (Other Visa types – Single Entry Visa to replace BRP).
- Submit biometrics, passport and police report along with the application and fee.
Once you have returned to the UK you should contact the International Student Advisers who will assist you in making an application to replace you BRP; this must be done within 3 months, failure to comply will result in you being fined up to £1,000.
Whilst you are waiting for you replacement BRP to arrive in the UK you will not be able to travel out of the UK. If an urgent need for travel does occur you should contact the International Student Advisers.
Police registration certificate
If you have lost your Police Registration Certificate you will need to make a fresh application, paying the fee of £34 and completing the relevant form which can be obtained from the Police Station on North Street.