Find out what to do if you loose your immgration documents or they've been stolen. You must take different actions depending on which document is missing, and whether this happens in the UK or abroad.
Check your travel document is definitely lost
Lost property is often handed into the police or on campus. Alternatively, try retracting your steps to see if you can find it.
On Campus lost property is done per building, so check with the relevant building reception where you think you lost it.
Report it to the police
If it was lost or stolen locally, visit your nearest police station as soon as possible. After you fill out a form, you’ll be issued with a crime reference number, which will be important for applying for replacement documents.
If it was lost or stolen while in transit or you are not sure where exactly the document was lost, Sussex Police have confirmed that you can report it at a local police station even if it was not originally lost in the local area.
When you arrive at the police station, at the front desk you will need to state that you have lost your document and the staff member will take your details and create a report which you will be able to take with you.
Tell us
Inform our UKVI Compliance team that you have lost your travel document.
Undergraduate and Masters Students: studentprogressvisa@sussex.ac.uk.
PhD students: PGR-visas@sussex.ac.uk.
If you have any travel plans or are currently abroad, submit a query form to the International Advice team.
Lost passport
If you have lost your passport you will need to contact your Embassy who will advise on the process to obtain a new one. Every country is different and the processes may vary.
Browse a list of embassies in the UK.
Browse a list of embassies outside the UK.
Once you have received a new passport you must let both the University and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) know of these updated details. View UKVI contact details.
Important: Once you receive your new passport you must update the new passport details to your UKVI account so that your eVisa is transferred to your new passport.
Replace your visa vignette
If you have lost your passport, you may need to replace the valid visa vignette (If you were issued a vignette as your only evidence - visas of 6 months or less).
- report the loss or theft of your passport to the police
- obtain a new passport from the relevant authorities
- apply online for a new vignette. You should select the following options: “BRP Vignette Transfer” and “To replace your visa (vignette)”.
In the additional information section, you should explain that you have been granted a Student route visa to study in the UK, but you need a new vignette as your original one has been damaged, lost or stolen.
Lost biometric residence permit (even if it is expired)
You cannot get a replacement biometric residence permit (BRP). You’ll need to set up access to an eVisa instead.
All biometric resident permits are now expired. You must still report the loss to UKVI.
Follow these steps if you have lost your BRP card or think it's been stolen, even if it is expired.
- report the loss to the UKVI
- check your evisa is correct and your up-to date travel document is linked to your eVisa. You can add your travel documents to your UKVI account inside or outside of the UK, as long as your personal details have not changed.
Updating your UKVI account
If you have a new passport, you must update your UKVI account:
• use the "update your UKVI account details" service to add your new passport
• ensure your account is updated before you travel and that your new passport is linked to your eVisa account.
If your personal details have changed, you are outside of the UK and you do not have a biometric chip in your passport, you will not be able to use the "update your UKVI account details" service to add your new passport from outside the UK. If this is the case, you should apply for a visa vignette which lets you re-enter the UK once only. Once you are inside the UK, you will be able to add your new passport to your UKVI account and update your personal details. Personal details include your name, nationality, date of birth and sex.
Update new passport to eVisa account.
If you have travel plans
To avoid having to cancel a trip, please make sure your eVisa is linked to your up to date travel documents.
You cannot re-enter the UK without a valid passport and appropriate studying visa. You cannot study on a Standard Visitor visa.
If you already have travel plans, submit a query form to the International Advice team.
What to do when you get a new passport
Submit your new documents to UKVI Compliance at the University:
For Undergraduates and Master students: studentprogressvisa@sussex.ac.uk
For PhD students: PGR-visas@sussex.ac.uk
If you have a new passport, you must update the new passport details to your UKVI account so that your eVisa is transferred to your new passport.
Keeping your documents safe
We often deal with many cases where important travel documents have been lost or stolen – both in the UK and overseas. If you need further support do not hesitate to contact us.
It is better to store it securely where you are staying – for example, in a safe in your hotel. Do not carry your passport or visa with you unless you need it to cross a border.
There is also government travel advice on what to be aware of when travelling to a new country.