Change to visa process for applicants travelling to the UK for more than 6 months
Biometric residence permits to launch for customers applying in the UAE
From 31 May 2015, Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) for non-EEA nationals travelling to the UK for more than six months will begin to be issued to customers who applied for their visa in the United Arab Emirates. The change will bring the UK’s processes into line with other European countries, and 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 visa in their passport, and must travel within this period. Applicants will be required to collect their BRP from a post office, that they select during the application stage, within ten days of arrival in the UK. The residence card can then be used as proof of right to work, study and access public services in the UK. The card will also need to be presented when travelling in and out of the UK, along with a valid travel document, such as a passport. Applicants will receive a letter, if their application is successful, which provides detailed information about collecting their BRP.
BRPs will be introduced globally throughout 2015 to bring the UK into line with European Commission (EC) regulations, which require Member States, when granting leave for more than six months, to issue a standard format residence permit document. The UAE is one of 31 countries in the second phase of the UK rollout. You can see the full rollout schedule here