Refugees
Refugees are individuals who were previously Asylum seekers, and have been accepted by a host country to obtain refugee status.
Refugees are distinct from asylum seekers.
Refugees are recognized and protected under international law, particularly the 1951 Refugee Convention. This outlines their rights and the obligations of host countries to provide safety and assistance. The UK is one of the countries that signed the conventions and obliged by its terms and conditions.
Many refugees leave their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. Often abandoning their possessions, jobs, and loved ones in search of safety.
As of recent reports, millions of refugees are displaced worldwide.
Due to ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises, significant numbers originate from countries like -
- Syria
- Ukraine
- Afghanistan
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) was a card issued by the Home Office that acted as proof of an individual's immigration status in the UK. It included personal details such as the holder's -
- name
- date of birth
- place of birth
- facial image
- biometric information like fingerprints.
The BRP confirmed immigration permissions and was typically granted to individuals who had received leave to remain in the UK, including refugees and those on specific visas.
The BRP was replaced by the UK Government with a digital immigration system called an eVisa from Wednesday 1 January 2025.