Living in the UK: applying from within the UK
Guidance for applicants already in the UK. It explains the steps to applying for and being granted permission to live in the UK.
This guide covers the journey from making your application and getting a decision to then sharing information about your immigration status with others.
Make your application
You can apply and pay for most applications online.
If you have dependants, the relevant GOV.UK application pages will explain how they can apply.
To submit a valid application, you’ll need to:
- choose the correct application form on GOV.UK
- pay the fee
- pay the healthcare surcharge (if required)
- provide any required biometrics
- provide a passport or other document which proves your identity and nationality
- meet any other specific requirements that are set out by the application route
Gathering your documents
You’ll need to provide documents to support your application.
For more information, view the relevant GOV.UK application page.
Fees
There is a fee for each application.
You may be able to choose to pay more to get a faster decision for some applications.
The fees are the same for each family member who applies with you.
Pay for healthcare
You may need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
Applying for someone else
You can make an application for someone else. For example, a relative or your child if they cannot apply for themselves.
You must get permission from the person you’re applying for, or written permission from their parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18.
Enter the applicant’s details into the form, not your own.
Change, vary or cancel your application
If you want to change something in your application after you’ve sent it, for example a spelling mistake, or a change of circumstances, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel (withdraw) your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
If you want to vary the basis of your application, you can do so at any time before a decision on your original application is made.
If you wish to vary your application, you will need to submit the correct specified form for the second application.
Prove your identity
You’ll be asked to prove your identity as part of your application. The application process will provide details on how to do that.
If you’ve been asked to use the mobile app
If you have an EEA biometric passport and a compatible smartphone, you’ll be able to prove your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
The app is free to download. Search ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ in your app store. Check if the app is compatible with your phone.
If you do not have a compatible smartphone, you can use the app on a family member or friend’s phone. View further information on how to use the app.
You’ll need to provide supporting evidence to prove your identity. The document checklist for your application will explain what you need to provide.
If you use the app, you will not need to send your passport anywhere to be checked. Instead you’ll just need to take a picture of the photo page of your passport using your smartphone camera.
If you’ve been asked to use the app to prove your identity and you’re unable to, you’ll be asked to make an appointment to attend a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photograph).
If you need to prove your identity at a UKVCAS
When you book your appointment, you’ll be advised when to submit your supporting documents. The document checklist in your application explains what you need to provide.
If you applied for someone else
The applicant will need to prove their identity.
If they’ve been asked to use the mobile app, and they have a compatible smartphone, they’ll be able to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to prove their identity.
If they’re unable to use the app, or if they’ve been asked to prove their identity at a UKVCAS, they’ll need to attend an appointment to provide their biometric information and documents.
If you applied on behalf of a child, a responsible adult will need to accompany them to their appointment.
Get a decision on your application
If your application is successful, what you’ll need to do will depend on how you proved your identity.
If you used the mobile app
If your application is successful, you’ll receive a notice of decision by email and you’ll be able to use the View and Prove service to view and share information about your immigration status online.
The View and Prove secure service allows you to view your immigration status information and share it with people or organisations, such as employers or universities. Read more about how to view and prove your immigration status.
If you visited a UKVCAS to prove your identity
If your application is successful, you’ll receive a decision notice that includes the conditions of your grant of permission to stay in the UK.
The conditions that apply to you
Your online immigration status information or your decision notice will include the conditions of your grant of permission to stay in the UK.
Conditions can include:
- ‘No access to public funds’ - you cannot claim benefits
- ‘No work’ - you cannot take paid or unpaid work in the UK
- ‘Restricted work’ - you can only work for your sponsor
Getting a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
If you proved your identity through the UK Immigration: ID Check app, you will not receive and do not need a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Read more about how to view and prove your immigration status.
If you proved your identity at a UKVCAS, and your application was successful, you’ll receive your BRP by courier.
When you get your BRP, check the details are correct. If your name is long, it may appear ‘cut off’. This is not a mistake - it is because there is limited space on the BRP card. However, if there’s a spelling mistake, you must report it.
You need to report any errors in your BRP within 10 days of receiving it.
You do not need to tell UKVI if your BRP expires on 31 December 2024 but you have leave to stay longer.
UKVI will update their information on how to update your BRP in early 2024. You do not need to do anything and your immigration status will not be affected.
If your application is refused
You’ll receive a decision notice which will set out the reasons your application was refused.
Your decision will explain if you have the right to either an:
Your immigration status
There are some differences in how you check and share your immigration status depending on how you proved your identity.
If you received a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
If you have a BRP, you can use it to confirm your right to live and work in the UK. Find out how to prove your right to work in the UK.
View the full guidance on using your BRP.
It’s important that you keep your details up to date. If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), find out how to update your details.
If you used the mobile app
If you used the UK Immigration: ID Check app to prove your identity, and your application is successful, you’ll be told how to view your immigration status information online using the View and Prove service.
You will not receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). You will be able to view and share your immigration status information completely online.
This is a fully secure service and allows you to share your status with prospective employers, universities, and other organisations.
To view your status, you’ll need:
- details of the identity document you used when you applied (your passport, national identity card, or biometric residence card or permit)
- your date of birth
- access to the mobile number or email address you used when you applied - you’ll be sent a code for logging in
Sharing your status
You can also use the View and Prove service to share your status with people or organisations, such as employers or universities.
You will need to choose the reason why you are sharing your information, so that the checking organisation sees the information that is relevant to them. For example, if you are proving your right to work we will only share the information that’s relevant to confirm your right to work.
To share your immigration status, you can generate a ‘share code’ which will be valid for 30 days. You’ll need to provide this share code, along with your date of birth, to the person who wishes to check your information.
At the end of the 30 days, the code will no longer be valid, and the person will no longer be able to access your information unless you provide them with another code.
Certain government departments and public authorities will be able to automatically access information about your immigration status. This will include services such as claiming benefits or use of the National Health Service (NHS).
You will not need to do anything to share your status to access these services. If the organisation does need to see information about your status, they will tell you and you’ll be able to use the View and Prove service to share your immigration status information with them.
Your immigration status information will also be automatically available when you travel through the UK border.
Share your immigration status.
Updating your details
It’s important that you keep your details up to date.
If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), find out how to update your details.
If you have online access to your immigration status information, you can update your details through the View and Prove service by logging in and following the instructions.
You must tell us about any changes to your personal details, such as your name and nationality. You should also tell us if any of the information displayed on your online immigration status profile is incorrect.
You can also use the View and Prove service to update your sign in details and passport or travel document details so that you can continue to access your immigration status information online.
If you need help using the service
If you need help using the View and Prove service, you can contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
How we protect your data
You can find information on how we protect your personal data by reading our privacy notices:
- Borders, immigration and citizenship
- Making an application
- Viewing and proving your immigration status in the UK
If you don’t have access to the View and Prove service
If you receive a BRP you will not have full access to the View and Prove service but you will still be able to use online services to prove some of your rights in the UK, such as proving your right to work.
In the future, BRP holders will also be able to use the View and Prove service. Further guidance on how to do this will be published on GOV.UK.
Last updated 29 October 2020 + show all updates
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Added guidance for if your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) expires on 31 December 2024.
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First published.