UK residence cards
If you have pre-settled or settled status
You can continue to use your residence card until it expires. You can use it to:
- re-enter the country if you travel abroad
- get a share code online to prove your immigration status
You can also use your share code to:
- prove your right to work to an employer
- prove your right to rent to a landlord
- prove that you qualify for certain benefits
Lost, stolen or expired residence cards
You cannot replace a lost, stolen or expired residence card. You must still report that it’s been lost or stolen.
Residence cards are being replaced by eVisas. An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status.
You do not need to do anything to get an eVisa. You can see it in your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
You should keep your expired UK residence card. You may be able to use it to:
- travel to the UK until 1 June 2025, if your BRC issued through the EU Settlement Scheme expired on 31 December 2024
- apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (for example, to convert from pre-settled to settled status), if it expired less than 18 months ago
Re-entering the UK
Before you travel, you’ll need to log in to your UKVI account to check that your eVisa is linked to your current passport or travel document.
If you cannot update your UKVI account and you’re already abroad, you’ll need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme travel permit to travel back to the UK.