Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs)

BRCs are not to be confused with Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). BRCs were previously issued to non-EEA nationals with leave under EU Regulations – as the family member of an EU national exercising their Treaty Rights in the UK, for example. BRCs were evidence of their immigration statuses in the UK.

In 2021, anyone who held a BRC under the pre-Brexit EU Regulations was required to apply for a new BRC under the new EU Settlement Scheme. Those who failed to apply for the replacement no longer held valid cards and they would face difficulties proving their statuses when travelling or for right-to work-checks. This update aligns with the UK's post-Brexit immigration framework, where EU nationals must have either pre-settled or settled status to continue residing in the UK.