Tiers 1 and 5 of the points-based system – Biometric residence permits

All applicants desirous of applying for renewal of their UK Tier 1 visa and Tier 5 visa under the temporary worker categories will have to provide biometrics information in their application with effect from 14th December 2010 onwards.

Migrants must enroll their biometric information; fingerprints and facial photograph, with the UK Border Agency if they want to apply for further leave to remain in the UK under the Tier 1 or Tier 5 (Temporary worker) categories of the points-based system.

A biometric residence permit will be issued to the applicants and these biometric permits in the UK will replace stickers or vignettes held by the migrants in their UK passports.

It is a residence card having biographic information of a migrant including the name, date of birth and place apart from the fingerprints and digital facial photograph. The Biometric Residence Permit reveals the immigration status of the concerned migrant and his or her rights in the UK during his stay there.

Before the new ruling for the UK Tier 1 and Tier 5 visa applicants, applicants for UK Tier 2 and Tier 4 visas were required to provide biometrics information along with their application and having a Biometric Residence Permit has been mandatory for them.

 If the applicant applies by post to extend their stay in one of these categories, a letter will be sent when the application is received. The biometric information can then be enrolled at one of the 11 biometric enrolment centers. A prior appointment should be taken. Alternatively, the biometric information can also be given at one of the 17 post offices that offer a walk-in service for an additional fee.

For applications made in person at one of the public enquiry offices or using the super premium service, the biometric information can be submitted at the time the application is made.

For more news and updates, assistance with your visa needs or for a Free Assessment of your profile for Immigration or Work Visa’s just visit www.y-axis.com