- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (01/02/1991)
- Original (As enacted)
Version Superseded: 01/10/1996
Point in time view as at 01/02/1991. This version of this provision has been superseded.
You are viewing this legislation item as it stood at a particular point in time. A later version of this or provision, including subsequent changes and effects, supersedes this version.
Note the term provision is used to describe a definable element in a piece of legislation that has legislative effect – such as a Part, Chapter or section.
Immigration Act 1971, Section 24 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 22 August 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.
You searched for provisions that are applicable to England. The matching provisions are highlighted below. Where no highlighting is shown the matching result may be contained within a footnote.
(1)A person who is not [F1a British citizen] shall be guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction with a fine of not more than [F2level 4 on the standard scale] or with imprisonment for not more than six months, or with both, in any of the following cases:—
(a)if contrary to this Act he knowingly enters the United Kingdom in breach of a deportation order or without leave;
(b)if, having only a limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, he knowingly either—
(i)remains beyond the time limited by the leave; or
(ii)fails to observe a condition of the leave;
(c)if, having lawfully entered the United Kingdom without leave by virtue of section 8(1) above, he remains without leave beyond the time allowed by section 8(1);
(d)if, without reasonable excuse, he fails to comply with any requirement imposed on him under Schedule 2 to this Act to report to [F3a medical officer of health][F3the chief administrative medical officer of a Health Board][F4or the chief administrative medical officer of a Health and Social Services Board], or to attend, or submit to a test or examination, as required by such an officer;
(e)if, without reasonable excuse, he fails to observe any restriction imposed on him under Schedule 2 or 3 to this Act as to residence [F5as to his employment or occupation] or as to reporting to the police or to an immigration officer;
(f)if he disembarks in the United Kingdom from a ship or aircraft after being placed on board under Schedule 2 or 3 to this Act with a view to his removal from the United Kingdom;
(g)if he embarks in contravention of a restriction imposed by or under an Order in Council under section 3(7) of this Act.
[F6(1A)A person commits an offence under subsection (1)(b)(i) above on the day when he first knows that the time limited by his leave has expired and continues to commit it throughout any period during which he is in the United Kingdom thereafter; but a person shall not be prosecuted under that provision more than once in respect of the same limited leave.]
(2)A constable or immigration officer may arrest without warrant anyone who has, or whom he, with reasonable cause, suspects to have, committed or attempted to commit an offence under this section other than an offence under subsection (1)(d) above.
(3)The extended time limit for prosecutions which is provided for by section 28 below shall apply to offences under [F7subsection (1)(a) and (c)] above.
(4)In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1)(a) above of entering the United Kingdom without leave,—
(a)any stamp purporting to have been imprinted on a passport or other travel document by an immigration officer on a particular date for the purpose of giving leave shall be presumed to have been duly so imprinted, unless the contrary is proved;
(b)proof that a person had leave to enter the United Kingdom shall lie on the defence if, but only if, he is shown to have entered within six months before the date when the proceedings were commenced.
Textual Amendments
F1Words substituted by British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61), s. 52(7), Sch. 4 para. 2
F2Words substituted (E.W.) (S.) (11.4.1983) by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21), ss. 289F, 289G (as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48), s. 54), and (N.I) by virtue of S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), arts. 5, 6
F3Words “the chief” to “Health Board” substituted for words “a medical officer of health” (S.) by National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1972 (c. 58), Sch. 6 para. 155; continued by National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 29), Sch. 15 para. 10
F4Words inserted (N.I.) by S.R. & O. (N.I.) 1973/256, Sch. 2
F5Words inserted by Immigration Act 1988 (c. 14, SIF 62), s. 10, Sch. para. 10(3)(4)
F6S. 24(1A) inserted by Immigration Act 1988 (c. 14, SIF 62), s. 6(1)(3)
F7Words “subsection (1)(a) and (c)” substituted for “subsection (1)(a), (b)(i) and (c)” by Immigration Act 1988 (c. 14, SIF 62), s. 6(2)(3)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 24 modified (2.8.1993) by S.I. 1993/1813, arts. 7(1), 1, Sch. 4 para 1(7)
C2S. 24(1)(a)(b) amended (S.) by Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 (c. 62), s. 26, Sch. 1
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: