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Launch of Biometric Residence Permits in South Africa

Source: Posted by: PR Newswire, 30/07/2015


PRETORIA, South Africa, 29 July 2015 / PRN Africa / –
Changes to visa process for applicants travelling to the UK for more
than 6 months
From 31 July 2015 UK Visas & Immigration will begin to issue Biometric
Residence Permits (BRPs) for non-EEA nationals travelling to the UK
for more than six months. The changes will affect those applying to
settle in the UK, as well as students and workers applying for a
longer-stay visa.
From this date, applicants will receive a 30-day sticker in their
passport instead of a `vignette' with the full grant of leave.
Applicants will be required to collect their BRP from a post office
within ten days of arrival in the UK. The BRP card can then be used as
proof of right to work, study and access public services in the UK.
Applicants will receive a letter, if their application is successful,
which provides detailed information about collecting their BRP. Full
guidance can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this affect me?
The change will only affect non-EEA nationals travelling to the UK for
more than six months, such as those applying in a points-based system
route, or for a settlement visa. If you are applying for a short-stay
visitors visa, you will not need a BRP.
How do I apply for a visa after 31 July?
The application process is largely the same. If you want to go to the
UK for more than six months, you will be asked for additional
information when you complete your online visa application, which will
include the postcode of your new address in the UK. The main
difference is that when you arrive in the UK, you will need to go to a
designated post office to collect your residence permit within 10 days.
How much will this cost?
There is no additional fee for the BRP, and the visa application fee
remains the same.
I'm not sure what date I will travel to the UK, what should I do?
Make sure you know the date you will travel to the UK before you
apply. Your temporary visa will only be valid for 30 days once you
receive it, and you will need to travel within this period. If you
receive your temporary sticker, and can't travel during the 30 day
window, you will need to apply for a replacement.
What can I use the BRP for?
The purpose of the BRP is to provide evidence your immigration status.
You will not need to carry it at all times, but you will need to show
it to demonstrate your entitlement to work, study or to access
benefits or public services.
What happens if I decide to change my travel date after I receive my
30 day passport sticker?
If the short term vignette has expired, or will expire before you
travel, then you will need to apply for a new short term vignette.
How will I know where to collect my BRP?
When you apply for your visa you will be asked for the first part of
the postcode of your new UK address. You will be given the details of
the post office where you will need to collect your BRP on arrival in
the UK when you receive your decision letter.
How can I find out more?
Full guidance can be found here.
From 31 July, if you apply for a visa valid for longer than six months
and are successful, you will receive a detailed letter with your
30-day sticker explaining exactly what to do to collect the BRP in the UK.
SOURCE British High Commission Pretoria


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