Caseworker Guidance
Using the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app
gov.uk change note: Updated to reflect that expired biometric residence cards can be used for 5 years after its expiry date.
Headline
The guidance has been updated to extend the validity period for expired biometric residence cards from 18 months to 5 years after expiry, while maintaining the 18-month limit for residence permits.
Changes in detail
- Document types section — "your UK residence card or residence permit (which expired no more than 18 months ago) with a biometric chip" → Split into two separate bullet points: "your UK residence card (which expired no more than 5 years ago) with a biometric chip" and "your UK residence permit (which expired no more than 18 months ago) with a biometric chip" for non-EU family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
Practical implications
This change significantly benefits holders of expired biometric residence cards who are applying under the EU Settlement Scheme. Practitioners should:
- Review any cases where clients were previously ineligible due to having a residence card that expired more than 18 months ago but less than 5 years ago — these clients may now be able to use the app
- Note that the change only applies to residence cards, not residence permits, which retain the 18-month expiry limit
- Update advice given to non-EU family members about which documents they can use with the app
Administrative changes
The diff also shows extensive formatting changes throughout the document, converting plain text bullet points to proper markdown formatting (adding hyphens and adjusting spacing), and adding blank lines for better document structure. These formatting changes do not affect the substantive content or legal requirements.
Diff
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@ You can use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to complete the identity stage of your application under the EU Settlement Scheme. + The app will: -check that your identity document is genuine - -verify that the document belongs to you +- check that your identity document is genuine + +- verify that the document belongs to you + @@ -15,14 +17,16 @@ -your biometric passport from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland - -your UK residence card or residence permit (which expired no more than 18 months ago) with a biometric chip if you’re the non-EU family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen - - - - - +- your biometric passport from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland + +- your UK residence card (which expired no more than 5 years ago) with a biometric chip if you’re the non-EU family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen + +- your UK residence permit (which expired no more than 18 months ago) with a biometric chip if you’re the non-EU family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen + + + + + If you have problems completing your application, contact UKVI. @@ -35,17 +39,18 @@ ## Android users + You’ll need: -Android 8.0 and above – you can find this in your settings - -at least 135MB of storage space to install the app - -to be connected to 3G, 4G, 5G or WiFi - - +- Android 8.0 and above – you can find this in your settings + +- at least 135MB of storage space to install the app + +- to be connected to 3G, 4G, 5G or WiFi + +- NFC (Near-Field Communication) so the app can scan your document – you can find this in your settings. If you can use your phone to pay for things using contactless, this means it has NFC and you can use the app @@ -54,20 +59,23 @@ ## iPhone users + The ‘ID Document Check’ beta app is now available for iPhone 7 and newer models. + You’ll need: -iPhone 7 or 7 Plus or newer model - -iOS 15 or later - to find the software version installed, go to Settings > General, then About - -at least 120MB of storage space to install the app - -to be connected to 3G, 4G, 5G or WiFi +- iPhone 7 or 7 Plus or newer model + +- iOS 15 or later - to find the software version installed, go to Settings > General, then About + +- at least 120MB of storage space to install the app + +- to be connected to 3G, 4G, 5G or WiFi + @@ -78,6 +86,7 @@ ## How to use the app + How to use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app @@ -85,6 +94,7 @@ ## Scan your document + Make sure your document can be read by the app. Look for the electronic passport symbol on your document. The symbol has a white circle with a horizontal line coming out of two sides, on a black background. This symbol means that your document has a biometric chip and can be read by the app. @@ -94,9 +104,11 @@ Take a picture of the photo page of your passport using your phone’s camera. The full page must be inside the frame, including the 2 lines of numbers at the bottom of the page. Make sure your phone camera is focused on the text on the page. + The app will prompt you to adjust your phone to make sure you capture your document effectively. These prompts will appear in a text box at the top of your screen. + Make sure you include the entire photo page in your picture. @@ -109,13 +121,14 @@ - ## Video: how to scan a passport biometric chip + Watch our video on how to scan a passport biometric chip. + Top tips: scan a passport biometric chip @@ -123,15 +136,19 @@ ## Check your document’s information + Remove any cases or covers from your document and phone. + Click the ‘check now’ button in the app when you’re ready to start checking your document. + Place the phone on top of your document when the app tells you to ‘check your document’s information’. If the volume on your phone is turned up, you’ll hear a beep when your document has been recognised. + Move your phone around the document until the app recognises it. The chip is located in different places in different documents. @@ -141,9 +158,11 @@ When the app has successfully read the chip in your document, the screen will say ‘information checked’. Do not move the phone until this message appears and the check is complete. + If the app doesn’t recognise your document, the check will time out and the screen will say ‘information not found’. If this happens, you should slowly move your phone around the document until the app recognises it. + If you’re using a passport and you continue to have problems, place the phone on the reverse cover or the photo page. @@ -151,9 +170,11 @@ ## If the app cannot read the chip in your passport or UK residence card + If the app cannot read the chip in your document, we’ll ask you to send your passport to us. + Details of how you can do this are provided in the application. Your document will be returned to you once we’ve checked your identity – we won’t wait until the rest of your application is complete. Your document will be returned to you using recorded delivery. @@ -161,12 +182,15 @@ ## Scan your face + The screen will flash as it scans your face. Hold your phone’s camera in front of your face until the scanning is complete. + You can skip this step and provide different evidence to prove your identity if flashing light may cause you difficulties. You can do this by going to the ‘Find out more’ menu and selecting ‘Skip this step’. + If you’re 9 years old or younger, you will not be asked to scan your face. @@ -174,15 +198,17 @@ ## Take a photo of yourself + You should: -look straight into the camera - -have a neutral expression – do not smile or frown - -remove tinted glasses, for example sunglasses +- look straight into the camera + +- have a neutral expression – do not smile or frown + +- remove tinted glasses, for example sunglasses + @@ -190,9 +216,9 @@ -be well-lit in neutral lighting - -have no other faces in the background +- be well-lit in neutral lighting + +- have no other faces in the background @@ -200,9 +226,11 @@ ## Video: how to take a digital photo + Watch our video on how to take a suitable digital photo. + UKVI guidance: taking a photo @@ -210,4 +238,5 @@ ## Completing your application + Once you’ve verified your identity, you can complete the rest of the application either on that device or any smartphone, laptop or computer.