Biometric Residence Permit
A plastic card containing the holder's biometric data that confirms their right to reside in a country and the validity of that right.
A biometric residence permit is a physical card that confirms a foreign national's residence status and contains their biometric data — typically a photograph and fingerprints stored on an embedded chip. The card usually shows the holder's personal details, the type of permit, and its period of validity.
The card is issued after the applicant has been approved for residence and has completed biometric enrollment. It serves as the primary document proving lawful status: it is presented when entering and leaving the country, dealing with government authorities, taking up employment, or accessing services — to the extent allowed by the particular status and the country's law.
In residence- and permanent-residence-by-investment programs, the biometric card is the tangible confirmation of the resident status obtained. The appearance, validity period, and renewal procedure of such cards differ from country to country, so specific requirements should be verified against the official sources of the chosen jurisdiction.
“The card carries your status, it is not the status — the date on the plastic and your right to stay can differ. Check the spelling of your name the day you collect it; corrections are a separate procedure.”
Levan Pogosov — LawyerFAQ
Can I travel to other countries on a residence card?
The card evidences your status in the issuing country; entry elsewhere depends on that country's rules and on whether both belong to a common travel area. Short-stay conditions should be checked against official sources.
Do family members receive their own cards?
As a rule yes — each approved applicant, including children, is issued an individual document evidencing their status. Procedures for minors vary by country.
If the card expires, do I lose my residence status?
Not necessarily: the validity of the card and the validity of the underlying permit are separate, and cards are normally reissued under an established procedure. How the two relate is set by national law.
Do I have to travel to the country to collect the card?
Usually yes, since issuance follows biometric enrollment and often requires personal attendance. Attendance rules and collection points depend on the country and the program.
Does the card reveal that the status was obtained through investment?
Cards generally display the permit type or category rather than commercial details of the application, though the level of detail varies. What appears on the card is set by the issuing country's format.