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How long does residence card Take UK?

Author

Emily Carr

Published Mar 02, 2026

How long does residence card Take UK?

The EEA Permanent Residence processing time per application takes six months maximum, according to the UKVI website.

Also question is, how long does it take to get a UK residence card?

The average time for family members applying for either residence cards or permanent residence cards comes in at just over 4 months. It may be that with the surge in permanent residence applications brought about by the UK Brexit referendum, the waiting times have lengthened since 2015.

Also, how long is an EEA residence card valid for? five years

Beside above, how long does it take to get a residency card?

Generally, it takes about 45 days to process PR cards for new permanent residents once IRCC receives a complete application package from individuals who have fulfilled their residency requirements. Applications for renewed PR Cards generally take 104 days.

How long does it take for biometric residence permit to arrive?

If your immigration application was made from inside the UK, your Biometric Residence Permit should be received within 7 to 10 days from the receipt of your decision letter. Your BRP will be sent to the address provided as part of your application.

Is Settled status same as permanent residence?

Settled status is not the same as permanent residence. It's not an automatic right but rather a status that EU nationals will need to apply for and be granted. EU citizens who fail to apply for settled status before the deadline may no longer have a legal right to live in the UK.

How do I get a biometric residence card UK?

You'll get a biometric residence permit ( BRP ) if you:
  1. apply to come to the UK for longer than 6 months.
  2. extend your visa to longer than 6 months.
  3. apply to settle in the UK.
  4. transfer your visa to a new passport.
  5. apply for certain Home Office travel documents.

Can I travel to Europe with UK residence permit?

You will need your UK biometric residence permit showing that you have valid leave for the UK that extends beyond your trip, and a blank page in your current passport. You can not apply using a travel document unless you have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK. You must not already have a Schengen visa.

Do you have a document certifying UK permanent residence?

You'll get a certificate inside either a blue 'residence documentation' booklet (or pink if you're a Swiss national), or your passport. The certificate will say 'Document Certifying Permanent Residence' on it.

How can I track my permanent resident card?

It can take several months to get a decision on your green card application. While you're waiting, you can check the status of your case through the USCIS website or by phone. Using the USCIS Check Status page is simple. Go the “Case Status Online” webpage and enter your receipt number.

Does UK permanent residence expire?

Your residence card will not be valid after 31 December 2020. You and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you want to continue living in the UK.

What will happen to EU nationals in UK?

If you're an EU , EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. You may be able to stay in the UK without applying - for example, if you're an Irish citizen or have indefinite leave to remain.

How can I prove my permanent residence in UK?

If you have a valid 'UK permanent residence document'
  1. a certificate inside your blue 'residence documentation' booklet (or pink if you're a Swiss national)
  2. a certificate inside your passport.
  3. a biometric residence card confirming permanent residence (only if you're not an EU , EEA or Swiss citizen)

What documents do I need to apply for permanent residence UK?

For each person on the application you'll need to provide:
  • a current passport.
  • 2 passport size colour photographs.
  • one passport size colour photograph of your European Economic Area ( EEA ) national (or British citizen) sponsor.
  • your EEA family member's valid passport or national identity card.

Do I need a biometric card if I have indefinite leave to remain?

If you are a holder of an Indefinite Leave to Remain, you can apply for a Biometric Residence Permit anytime you want. There is not a set date when you can do that, as long as you have a valid ILR.

What is the difference between pre settled and settled status?

Pre-settle status” is a temporary status, while “settled status” is permanent. The difference can affect vulnerable people. For example, to access benefits, there is a two-stage test: the first stage is to determine whether the person has habitual residence in the UK and the second the eligibility for benefits.

Who is considered a UK resident?

For the purposes of our policies, a UK resident is defined as a person who has their main home in the United Kingdom, who is registered with a medical practitioner in the UK, and who has been resident in the UK for 6 months out of the last 12.

How can I migrate to UK?

UK Visas and Immigration
  1. Check if you need a UK visa.
  2. Visit the UK.
  3. Work in the UK or sponsor a worker.
  4. Study in the UK or sponsor a student.
  5. Join your UK, EU, or EEA family member in the UK.
  6. Live permanently in the UK and British Citizenship.
  7. Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
  8. Visas and immigration operational guidance.

How do I permanently move to the UK?

Live permanently in the UK
  1. Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)
  2. Prove you have right of abode in the UK.
  3. Apply to settle in the UK if your partner dies.
  4. Settlement: refugee or humanitarian protection.
  5. Apply to stay in the UK as a stateless person.
  6. Apply for settlement if you're a Turkish Worker or Businessperson.

How long does it take to get passport back from home office?

Once you've submitted all of the above, it generally takes the same amount of time as a first-time passport —four to six weeks — from the date of application through mailing, to get your new passport.

Can EU family member travel to UK without visa?

A valid Article 10 (or Article 20) residence card allows the non-EEA national family member of an EEA citizen to travel to the UK without the requirement to obtain an EEA or EUSS family permit. However, in order to be admitted to the UK you will need to demonstrate that you have a right of admission under EU law.

What is a permanent residence card UK?

An EEA Permanent Residence Card is issued to non-EEA national family members and extended family members of EEA nationals who have exercised Treaty rights in the United Kingdom for a continuous period of 5 years. An EEA Permanent Residence Card confirms a right of permanent residence in the UK.

What is the difference between residence permit and residence card?

A residence permit is a general term for permission to reside in a particular country. It could refer to any status under national or EU rules in a category other than as a visitor. A residence card is the particular term used for a residence permit for a dependant of an EU national.

Can I travel with my residence card?

No. You must have both your passport and your residence permit with you. A residence permit on its own is not a valid travel document.

Can I work with family permit UK?

The EEA family permit or visa is valid for six months. The permit allows the holder to enter and leave the UK as many times as he/she needs to. The Family Permit's holder can take up employment in the UK. Without an EEA family permit, entry into the UK can be refused.

Can I travel with EEA residence card?

No, your spouse can only travel visa free with an Article 10 residence card. The EEA family permit is similar to an Article 10 card, but for the purpose of visa-free travel, only the Article 10 residence card will do.

What is an Article 10 residence card UK?

An Article 10 residence card is a document which is issued under EU law ('the Free Movement Directive') by EEA Member States to non-EEA family members of EEA nationals who are exercising free movement rights in another Member State than that of their nationality.

What is EU residence card?

A Residence card of a family member of a Union citizen is issued to the family member to confirm this right of residence. The holder of a valid Residence Card is entitled to use this document in lieu of an entry visa for entry to all EEA member states. There is not a unified format for this card throughout the EU.

Can I travel without BRP card?

You are advised not to travel outside the UK without your BRP. The BRP is proof of your immigration permission and you are normally required to show this in order to travel to, and re-enter the UK.

How does a biometric residence permit look?

The biometric residence permit is a standard credit card size (86mm x 54mm) and looks similar to those issued by some other EU countries. The permit is made from polycarbonate and contains a chip to make it more secure against forgery and abuse. cases, the National Insurance Number will appear here.

Can I travel to Europe with UK biometric residence permit?

You will need your UK biometric residence permit showing that you have valid leave for the UK that extends beyond your trip, and a blank page in your current passport. You can not apply using a travel document unless you have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK. You must not already have a Schengen visa.

Who needs a biometric residence permit UK?

The Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is issued to all non-EEA nationals who are staying in the UK for longer than six months. It will thus be issued to all persons who have successfully applied to settle in the UK, foreign students coming to study in the UK and persons on the long-stay UK work visas.

Is BRP same as Visa?

A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is a secure identity card which contains personal details and biometric information for those who have permission (a visa) to come to the UK for more than 6 months. When your visa is granted you will be issued with a vignette (sticker in your passport) which is valid for 30 days.

How long can I stay outside the UK with BRP?

Your BRP will last up to 10 years and will have an expiry date. We advise that you apply for a replacement around 3 months before expiry.

How long does it take to get a response after Biometrics UK?

After Biometrics have been submitted at the local centre a decision is received in 6-8 weeks (guideline times only, some applications can take longer). 5-10 working days, a letter will arrive at King's Gate asking you to submit your biometric information.