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What happens if you lose your passport or visa?

Every year, many Bangor University students lose their passport or visa. It can take a long time to get a replacement so you should keep your documents safe.  In the UK, it is not a legal requirement to carry ID with you, so you should leave your documents somewhere secure.

Lost passport - in UK

If you lose your passport in the UK, you should contact your Embassy or Consulate for a replacement.  If it is stolen, please also report it to the Police.

To find your Embassy, see the ' London Diplomatic List' on the GOV.UK webpages.

Lost passport - outside UK

If you lose your passport outside the UK but not in your home country, then you should contact your Embassy in that country.  The Embassy might issue you with a new passport OR they might give you a temporary travel document. You might need to travel to your home country to apply for a new passport.

If you lose your passport in your home country, you should contact your local passport office. 

Lost BRP (visa card) - in UK

  •  Report the loss/theft to the Home Office as soon as possible.  You can report your BRP lost/stolen here. UKVI will then cancel your visa card and you will not be able to use it even if you subsequently find it.
  • Apply for a replacement BRP: Read the guidance on applying for a replacement BRP .  You will need to do biometrics again and pay the biometrics fee. Please note that a Standard Service application is likely to take around 8 weeks, but could take longer.

Note: You must apply within 3 months of losing your BRP.  You may be fined up to £1000 and have your permission to stay in the UK cancelled if you do not apply in time. If you have lost your BRP, but need to travel outside the UK fairly soon, please get in touch with us to discuss your options. You may not be able to leave the UK without your BRP if you are a national of certain countries and are flying via a EU airport. Further details about this restriction can be found on this webpage under 'Do I need a visa to transit through a EU airport?'.

For more information, see the GOV.UK webpages.

Lost BRP (visa card) - outside UK

  1. Report the loss/theft to the local police and get a loss or theft report. This will be required for your visa replacement application.
  2. Report the loss/theft to the Home Office as soon as possible.  You can report your BRP lost/stolen here. UKVI will then cancel your visa card and you will not be able to use it even if you subsequently find it.
  3. You can't apply for a new BRP until you're back in the UK. Instead, you must apply for a 'one time travel visa' which you can use once to re-enter the UK. 

  4. When you return to the UK, you need to apply for a new BRP.  Read the guidance on applying for a replacement BRP and apply using form BRP(RC).  A replacement BRP costs £56.  You will need to do biometrics again and pay the biometrics fee. Please note that a Standard Service application is likely to take around 8 weeks. Note: You must apply within 1 month of returning to the UK. You may be fined up to £1000 and have your permission to stay in the UK cancelled if you do not apply in time.

For more information, see the GOV.UK webpages.
 

Leaving the UK soon?

If your permission to  stay in the UK is due to expire in four weeks or less, you should not apply for a replacement Biometric Residence Permit. If you are in that situation and want to remain in the UK for a further period, you must apply for permission to remain here on the application form specified for the type of application you  wish to make. If the application is one where you must also apply for a Biometric Residence Permit, you will be issued with a new one with a new expiry date if your application is successful.


UKCISA have a useful webpage about lost documents.