Biometric Residence Permit

Biometric residence permit for Tier 4 student visa applications made outside the UK

This information is for students coming to the UK for six months or more on a Tier 4 student visa. Since April 2015, there have been changes to how visas are issued overseas.

There are two stages to the process:

  1. Students will be issued with a vignette (sticker) in their passport. This will be valid to travel to the UK within 30 days only. It will be accompanied by a letter with instructions about the second stage.
  2. Within ten days of arriving in the UK, students will be required to collect a biometric residence permit (BRP).

Requesting collection of your BRP from NTU:

NTU students and their dependants may collect their BRP from NTU City Campus, and we recommend you choose this option. In order to do this, when completing your student visa application online, you are asked to enter a UK postcode. You should use your Nottingham address if you know it. If not, enter the NTU postcode: NG1 4FQ. This address will automatically identify a local Post Office where you should collect your BRP.

In order to have your BRP delivered to NTU, you will need to enter this code: 2HE392 into the "Alternative Location" field.When you press "Find", the NTU address will appear.

Please note that this option is only available to NTU students and their dependants.

Collecting your BRP from NTU:

Students can collect their BRP from the City Campus. Staff from Academic Registry will contact you via email to confirm when your BRP has been delivered to the University, and arrange a date and time for you to come in and collect it. Please make sure an appointment has been arranged before visiting the Academic Registry to collect your BRP. 

In order to collect your BRP, please make sure you bring the following documents with you:

  • your passport
  • your visa decision letter from UKVI.

Please email Academic Registry at REGTier4@ntu.ac.uk if you have any queries regarding the collection of your BRP.

Collecting your BRP from a Post Office:

If you choose to collect your BRP from a local Post Office, please make sure you take the following documents with you:

  • your passport
  • your visa decision letter from UKVI
  • your full address in Nottingham, including your postcode.

Problems or errors on your BRP

Please check your BRP carefully. If you see any errors, or have difficultly collecting your BRP, please contact the International Student Support Service.

Using your BRP

You will need your BRP when re-entering the UK if you leave (e.g. to go on holiday), to open a bank account, to demonstrate you are lawfully in the UK, and that you are entitled to part-time work (e.g. to show your employer). Some students are required to register with the police. See our guidance note for more details.

Lost BRPs

If you lose your BRP, please read our guidance note and contact us for advice.