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Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 05 September 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.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1 repealed (2.10.2000) by 1999 c. 33, s. 169(3), Sch 16; S.I. 2000/2444, art. 2, Sch. 1 (with transitional provisions in arts. 3, 4)
Textual Amendments
F2S. 2 repealed (2.10.2000) by 1999 c. 33, s. 169(3), Sch. 16; S.I. 2000/2444, art. 2, Sch. 1 (with transitional provisions in arts. 3, 4 and subject to transitional provision in Sch. 2 para. 4(1))
Textual Amendments
F3S. 3 repealed (2.10.2000) by 1999 c. 33, s. 169(3), Sch. 16; S.I. 2000/2444, art. 2, Sch. 1 (with transitional provisions in arts. 3, 4 and subject to transitional provision in Sch. 2 para. 4(2))
In subsection (1) of section 24 of the 1971 Act (illegal entry and similar offences), after paragraph (a) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—
“(aa)if, by means which include deception by him, he obtains or seeks to obtain leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom;”.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 4 extended (Guernsey) (with modifications) (20.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1264, art. 3, Sch.
S. 4 extended (Jersey) (with modifications) (22.6.1998) by S.I. 1998/1070, art. 3, Sch.
C2S. 4 extended (with modifications) (5.6.2003) by The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Jersey) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1252), arts. 1(1), 2, Sch.
Commencement Information
I1S. 4 wholly in force at 1.10.1996; S. 4 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 13(3); S. 4 in force at 1.10.1996 by S.I. 1996/2053, art. 2, Sch. Pt. III
(1)In subsection (1) of section 25 of the 1971 Act (assisting illegal entry, and habouring), for the words from “the entry” to “illegal entrant” there shall be substituted the following paragraphs—
“(a)the entry into the United Kingdom of anyone whom he knows or has reasonable cause for believing to be an illegal entrant;
(b)the entry into the United Kingdom of anyone whom he knows or has reasonable cause for believing to be an asylum claimant; or
(c)the obtaining by anyone of leave to remain in the United Kingdom by means which he knows or has reasonable cause for believing to include deception,”.
(2)After that subsection there shall be inserted the following subsection—
“(1A)Nothing in subsection (1)(b) above shall apply to anything which is done—
(a)by a person otherwise than for gain, or in the course of his employment by a bona fide organisation whose purpose it is to assist refugees; or
(b)in relation to a person who has been detained under paragraph 16 of Schedule 2 to this Act, or has been granted temporary admission under paragraph 21 of that Schedule;
and in that provision “asylum claimant” means a person who intends to make a claim for asylum (within the meaning of the M1Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993).”
(3)In subsection (5) of that section, for the words “Subsection (1)” there shall be substituted the words “ Subsection (1)(a) ”.
(4)In subsection (6) of that section, for the words “subsection (1)” there shall be substituted the words “ subsection (1)(a) or (b) ”.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C3S. 5(1)(2) extended (Guernsey) (with modifications) (20.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1264, art. 3, Sch.
S. 5(1)(2) extended (Jersey) (with modifications) (22.6.1998) by S.I. 1998/1070, art. 3, Sch.
Commencement Information
I2S. 5 wholly in force at 1.10.1996; s. 5 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 13(3); s. 5 in force at 1.10.1996 by S.I. 1996/2053, art.2, Sch. Pt. III
Marginal Citations
In the following provisions, namely—
(a)subsection (1) of section 24 of the 1971 Act (illegal entry and similar offences);
(b)subsection (1) of section 26 (general offences in connection with administration of Act); and
(c)section 27 (offences by persons connected with ships or aircraft or with ports),
for the words “level 4” there shall be substituted the words “ level 5 ”.
Commencement Information
I3S. 6 wholly in force at 1.10.1996; s. 6 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 13(3); s. 6 in force at 1.10.1996 by S.I. 1996/2053, art. 2, Sch. Pt. III
Textual Amendments
F4S. 7 repealed (14.2.2000) by 1999 c. 33, s. 169(1)(3), Sch. 14 paras. 108, 109, Sch. 16; S.I. 2000/168, art. 2, Sch. (with transitional provisions in art. 3); (which amending provision is extended (with modifications) to Jersey (5.6.2003) by S.I. 2003/1252, art. 2, Sch.)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5S. 8 repealed (29.2.2008) by Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (c. 13), ss. 26, 62(1)(2), Sch. 3; S.I. 2008/310, art. 2(1)(d)(e) (with art. 5(1)(2))
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F6S. 8A repealed (29.2.2008) by Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (c. 13), ss. 26, 62(1)(2), Sch. 3; S.I. 2008/310, art. 2(1)(d)(e) (with art. 5(1)(2))
Textual Amendments
F7S. 9 repealed (1.3.2000) by 1999 c. 33, s. 169(1)(3), Sch. 14 paras. 108, 110, Sch. 16; S.I. 2000/464, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F8S. 10 repealed (3.4.2000) by 1999 c. 33, s. 169(1)(3), Sch. 14 paras. 108, 111, Sch. 16; S.I. 2000/464, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F9S. 11 repealed (3.4.2000) by 1999 c. 33, s. 169(1)(3), Sch. 14 paras. 108, 112, Sch. 16; S.I. 2000/464, art. 2, Sch.
(1)Schedule 2 to this Act (which contains amendments of the 1971 Act and a related amendment of the M2Immigration Act 1988) shall have effect.
(2)Schedule 3 to this Act (which contains amendments of the 1993 Act) shall have effect.
(3)The enactments specified in Schedule 4 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C4S. 12(1) extended (Guernsey) (with modifications) (20.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1264, art. 3, Sch.
S. 12(1) extended (Jersey) (with modifications) (22.6.1998) by S.I. 1998/1070, art. 3, Sch.
Commencement Information
I4S. 12 partly in force; s. 12 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 13(3); s. 12 in force for certain purposes at 1.9.1996 by S.I. 1996/2053, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II; s. 12(1)(3) in force for certain purposes at 1.10.1996 by S.I. 1996/2053, art. 2, Sch. Pt. III
Marginal Citations
(1)This Act may be cited as the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.
(2)In this Act—
“the 1971 Act” means the M3Immigration Act 1971;
“the 1993 Act” means the M4Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993;
“person subject to immigration control” means a person who under the 1971 Act requires leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom (whether or not such leave has been given).
(3)This Act, except section 11 and Schedule 1, shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument appoint, and different days may be appointed for different purposes.
(4)An order under subsection (3) above may make such transitional and supplemental provision as the Secretary of State thinks necessary or expedient.
(5)Her Majesty may by Order in Council direct that any of the provisions of this Act shall extend, with such modifications as appear to Her Majesty to be appropriate, to any of the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
(6)This Act extends to Northern Ireland.
Subordinate Legislation Made
P1S. 13(3) power partly exercised (25.7.1996): different dates appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1996/2053
S. 13(3) power partly exercised (11.8.1996): different dates appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1996/2127
S. 13(3) power partly exercised (25.11.1996): 27.1.1997 appointed for s. 8 by S.I. 1996/2970
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C5S. 13(1) extended (Guernsey) (20.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1264, art. 3, Sch.
S. 13(1) extended (Jersey) (22.6.1998) by S.I. 1998/1070, art. 3, Sch.
C6S. 13(2) extended (Guernsey) (with modifications) (20.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/2164, art. 3, Sch.
S. 13(2) extended (Jersey) (with modifications) (22.6.1998) by S.I. 1998/1070, art. 3, Sch.
C7S. 13(5) power extended (28.4.2022) by Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (c. 36), ss., 86(6)(c), 87(3)(c) 86(5)
Commencement Information
I5S. 13 wholly in force at 26.7.1996; s. 13 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 13(3); s. 13 in force at 26.7.1996 by S.I. 1996/2053, art. 2, Sch. Pt. I
Marginal Citations
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