Lost Passports and Visas

If you have lost your passport/ visa or BRP card while you are inside or outside the UK you will need to make necessary arrangements to replace your missing documents.

You are welcome to book an appointment with City's International Student Advice team and we will help you.

Lost passports/visas while you are in the UK

Lost passports in the UK

Lost visa-sticker in the UK

  • Apply for a Transfer of Conditions (TOC) at the Home Office - As part of this application you will need to provide your biometric information and obtain a new Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card. This application costs £168 (from 6 April 2017) by post and can take about two months to be processed. Or you could apply in person at a premium service centre by paying an additional £590 (from 6 April 2017). You will need to book an appointment online in advance, and a new BRP will be delivered to you within 7-10 working days after your appointment.

Lost BRP visa card in the UK

  • Report a lost or stolen BRP to the Home Office online - The Home Office will contact you within 1 working day to tell you if you need to apply for a replacement. You need your full name, nationality, date of birth, and an email or postal address to report your BRP lost or stolen

Lost passports/visas outside the UK

Lost passports outside the UK

  • Report it to the police - Report your lost/stolen passport to the local Police and obtain a police report. You may need this to apply for a new passport and new student immigration permission.
  • Contact your Embassy - To obtain a temporary/new passport to return to the UK.

Lost visa-sticker outside the UK

  • Apply for a Replacement visa at the British Embassy - You will need to apply for a replacement visa (vignette transfer) for a permission to return to the UK. You need to complete the online application form and pay £169 (from 6 April 2017) application fee. You will need your police report and evidence that you are still a student at City, University of London. You do NOT need a new CAS and you do NOT need to show financial documentation unless this is requested by the caseworker. There is more guidance on UKCISA's website.

Lost BRP visa card outside the UK

  • Report a lost or stolen BRP to the Home Office online - The Home Office will contact you within 1 working day to tell you if you need to apply for a replacement. You need your full name, nationality, date of birth, and an email or postal address to report your BRP lost or stolen.
  • Apply for a replacement BRP at the British Embassy - You have to apply for a Replacement BRP (single entry) visa at the British Embassy. You do NOT need a new CAS, but you should submit a student status letter (you can get this from e:vision or your course office) confirming you are a student at City. The application costs £154. Please note that when it asks you to Select Visa Type, choose Other > Others > Replacement Biometric Residence Permit.
  • Apply for a new BRP visa card when you have returned to the UK within 1 month - Once you have returned to the UK, you must apply for a BRP(RC) at the Home Office for a new BRP card within 1 month (or you may have to pay a fine of up to £1,000 or your visa could be curtailed). This application costs £75.20 for the standard service and it can take several weeks to be processed. Or you could apply in person at a premium service centre by paying £685.20. You will need to book an appointment online in advance, and a new BRP will be delivered to you within 7-10 working days after your appointment.
  • We are aware that some students have managed to make arrangements with the Home Office and the airline to travel back to the UK with a new passport but without applying for permission to enter the UK. This has been easier for students with BRPs or for students who have evidence of their previous permission (for example a photocopy of the sticker in the passport or the BRP). Contact the airline to find out if this is possible in your case. We advise you NOT to return to the UK unless you have made special arrangements to do so. Even if you do this, there is no guarantee you will be allowed back into the UK without a valid visa, so this approach is extremely risky and not recommended.