Biometric Residence Card Identity Reuse Extended to 60 Months from 8 April 2026
28 Mar 2026
If you have ever enrolled your identity at a UK visa application centre and hold a Biometric Residence Card (BRC) or other biometric document, you may not need to repeat that process for your next extension or settlement application. From 8 April 2026, the validity window for using a previously enrolled identity is extended from 18 months to 60 months (5 years).
What is changing
Under the current rules, if you enrolled your biometrics at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre, you could reuse that identity verification for follow-on applications — but only within an 18-month window. Many applicants found this window too narrow, especially those on 2.5-year or 5-year leave grants, and were required to re-attend a centre even though nothing had materially changed.
From 8 April 2026, your BRC or biometric document can be used to re-verify your identity for up to 5 years from when it was issued, under changes introduced by the Statement of Changes HC 1691. This applies to applicants across Skilled Worker, Family, BNO, and other routes making extension or settlement applications.
Who benefits
This change is most useful for people who:
- Are on a Skilled Worker, Family, or BNO visa and routinely make extension applications every 2.5 to 3 years
- Have a BRC with more than 18 months of remaining validity at the time of their next application
- Want to complete their application entirely online or via the UK Visas and Immigration app, without a mandatory in-person step
If your BRC was issued within the past 5 years and you are applying for an extension or ILR, check whether you now qualify to skip the UKVCAS biometrics enrolment appointment. This could save you both time and the enrolment service charge.
What to check
Review your current BRC issue date. If it was issued less than 5 years ago, you may be able to rely on that identity enrolment for your next application from 8 April onwards. Guidance on the GOV.UK Prove Your Identity service should be updated to reflect the new 60-month window once the rule takes effect.
This is an administrative improvement rather than a policy change — it does not affect your visa status, qualifying period for ILR, or any other aspect of your leave.
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