Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Part I U.K. Immigration: General

Valid from 11/11/1999

Leave to enter, or remain in, the United Kingdom U.K.

Valid from 14/02/2000

1 Leave to enter. U.K.

In the 1971 Act, after section 3, insert—

“3A Further provision as to leave to enter.

(1) The Secretary of State may by order make further provision with respect to the giving, refusing or varying of leave to enter the United Kingdom.

(2) An order under subsection (1) may, in particular, provide for—

(a) leave to be given or refused before the person concerned arrives in the United Kingdom;

(b) the form or manner in which leave may be given, refused or varied;

(c) the imposition of conditions;

(d) a person’s leave to enter not to lapse on his leaving the common travel area.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order provide that, in such circumstances as may be prescribed—

(a) an entry visa, or

(b) such other form of entry clearance as may be prescribed,

is to have effect as leave to enter the United Kingdom.

(4) An order under subsection (3) may, in particular—

(a) provide for a clearance to have effect as leave to enter—

(i) on a prescribed number of occasions during the period for which the clearance has effect;

(ii) on an unlimited number of occasions during that period;

(iii) subject to prescribed conditions; and

(b) provide for a clearance which has the effect referred to in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) to be varied by the Secretary of State or an immigration officer so that it ceases to have that effect.

(5) Only conditions of a kind that could be imposed on leave to enter given under section 3 may be prescribed.

(6) In subsections (3), (4) and (5) “prescribed” means prescribed in an order made under subsection (3).

(7) The Secretary of State may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed in an order made by him, give or refuse leave to enter the United Kingdom.

(8) An order under subsection (7) may provide that, in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the order, paragraphs 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 21 of Part I of Schedule 2 to this Act are to be read, in relation to the exercise by the Secretary of State of functions which he has as a result of the order, as if references to an immigration officer included references to the Secretary of State.

(9) Subsection (8) is not to be read as affecting any power conferred by subsection (10).

(10) An order under this section may—

(a) contain such incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate; and

(b) make different provision for different cases.

(11) This Act and any provision made under it has effect subject to any order made under this section.

(12) An order under this section must be made by statutory instrument.

(13) But no such order is to be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.”

Valid from 14/02/2000

2 Leave to remain. U.K.

In the 1971 Act, after section 3A, insert—

“3B Further provision as to leave to remain.

(1) The Secretary of State may by order make further provision with respect to the giving, refusing or varying of leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

(2) An order under subsection (1) may, in particular, provide for—

(a) the form or manner in which leave may be given, refused or varied;

(b) the imposition of conditions;

(c) a person’s leave to remain in the United Kingdom not to lapse on his leaving the common travel area.

(3) An order under this section may—

(a) contain such incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate; and

(b) make different provision for different cases.

(4) This Act and any provision made under it has effect subject to any order made under this section.

(5) An order under this section must be made by statutory instrument.

(6) But no such order is to be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.”

Valid from 02/10/2000

3 Continuation of leave pending decision. U.K.

In the 1971 Act, after section 3B, insert—

“3C Continuation of leave pending decision.

(1) This section applies if—

(a) a person who has limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom applies to the Secretary of State, before his leave expires, for it to be varied; and

(b) when it expires, no decision has been taken on the application.

(2) His leave is to be treated as continuing until the end of the period allowed under rules made under paragraph 3 of Schedule 4 to the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 for bringing an appeal against a decision on the application.

(3) An application for variation of a person’s leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom may not be made while that leave is treated as continuing as a result of this section.

(4) But subsection (3) does not prevent the variation of an application mentioned in subsection (1).”

4 Accommodation for those temporarily admitted or released from detention. U.K.

The Secretary of State may provide, or arrange for the provision of, facilities for the accommodation of persons—

(a) temporarily admitted to the United Kingdom under paragraph 21 of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act;

(b) released from detention under that paragraph; or

(c) released on bail from detention under any provision of the Immigration Acts.

Valid from 01/04/2003

5 Charges. U.K.

(1) The Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, make regulations prescribing fees to be paid in connection with applications for—

(a) leave to remain in the United Kingdom;

(b) the variation of leave to enter, or remain in, the United Kingdom;

(c) an indefinite leave stamp to be fixed on the applicant’s passport (or travel document) as the result of the renewal or replacement of his previous passport (or travel document).

(2) If a fee prescribed in connection with an application of a particular kind is payable, no such application is to be entertained by the Secretary of State unless the fee has been paid in accordance with the regulations.

(3) But—

(a) a fee prescribed in connection with such an application is not payable if the basis on which the application is made is that the applicant is—

(i) a person making a claim for asylum which claim either has not been determined or has been granted; or

(ii) a dependant of such a person; and

(b) the regulations may provide for no fee to be payable in prescribed circumstances.

(4) If no fee is payable in respect of some part of the application, the Secretary of State must entertain that part of the application.

(5) “Indefinite leave stamp” means a stamp which indicates that the applicant has been granted indefinite leave to enter, or remain in, the United Kingdom.

(6) “Claim for asylum” has the meaning given in subsection (1) of section 94; and subsection (3) of that section applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of Part VI.

(7) “Dependant” has such meaning as may be prescribed.

Valid from 01/03/2000

Exemption from immigration control U.K.

6 Members of missions other than diplomatic agents. U.K.

In the 1971 Act, in section 8 (exceptions for certain categories of person), for subsection (3A) (members of diplomatic missions) substitute—

“(3A) For the purposes of subsection (3), a member of a mission other than a diplomatic agent (as defined by the 1964 Act) is not to count as a member of a mission unless—

(a) he was resident outside the United Kingdom, and was not in the United Kingdom, when he was offered a post as such a member; and

(b) he has not ceased to be such a member after having taken up the post.”

7 Persons ceasing to be exempt. U.K.

In the 1971 Act, after section 8, insert—

“8A Persons ceasing to be exempt.

(1) A person is exempt for the purposes of this section if he is exempt from provisions of this Act as a result of section 8(2) or (3).

(2) If a person who is exempt—

(a) ceases to be exempt, and

(b) requires leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom as a result,

he is to be treated as if he had been given leave to remain in the United Kingdom for a period of 90 days beginning on the day on which he ceased to be exempt.

(3) If—

(a) a person who is exempt ceases to be exempt, and

(b) there is in force in respect of him leave for him to enter or remain in the United Kingdom which expires before the end of the period mentioned in subsection (2),

his leave is to be treated as expiring at the end of that period.”

8 Persons excluded from the United Kingdom under international obligations. U.K.

In the 1971 Act, after section 8A, insert—

“8B Persons excluded from the United Kingdom under international obligations.

(1) An excluded person must be refused—

(a) leave to enter the United Kingdom;

(b) leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

(2) A person’s leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom is cancelled on his becoming an excluded person.

(3) A persons’s exemption from the provisions of this Act as a result of section 8(1), (2) or (3) ceases on his becoming an excluded person.

(4) “Excluded person” means a person—

(a) named by or under, or

(b) of a description specified in,

a designated instrument.

(5) The Secretary of State may by order designate an instrument if it is a resolution of the Security Council of the United Nations or an instrument made by the Council of the European Union and it—

(a) requires that a person is not to be admitted to the United Kingdom (however that requirement is expressed); or

(b) recommends that a person should not be admitted to the United Kingdom (however that recommendation is expressed).

(6) Subsections (1) to (3) are subject to such exceptions (if any) as may specified in the order designating the instrument in question.

(7) An order under this section must be made by statutory instrument.

(8) Such a statutory instrument shall be laid before Parliament without delay.”

Removal from the United Kingdom U.K.

Valid from 11/11/1999

9 Treatment of certain overstayers. U.K.

(1) During the regularisation period overstayers may apply, in the prescribed manner, for leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

(2) The regularisation period begins on the day prescribed for the purposes of this subsection and is not to be less than three months.

(3) The regularisation period ends—

(a) on the day prescribed for the purposes of this subsection; or

(b) if later, on the day before that on which section 65 comes into force.

(4) Section 10 and paragraph 12 of Schedule 15 come into force on the day after that on which the regularisation period ends

(5) The Secretary of State must publicise the effect of this section in the way appearing to him to be best calculated to bring it to the attention of those affected.

(6) “Overstayer” means a person who, having only limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, remains beyond the time limited by the leave.

Valid from 22/05/2000

10 Removal of certain persons unlawfully in the United Kingdom. U.K.

(1) A person who is not a British citizen may be removed from the United Kingdom, in accordance with directions given by an immigration officer, if—

(a) having only a limited leave to enter or remain, he does not observe a condition attached to the leave or remains beyond the time limited by the leave;

(b) he has obtained leave to remain by deception; or

(c) directions (“the first directions”) have been given for the removal, under this section, of a person (“the other person”) to whose family he belongs.

(2) Directions may not be given under subsection (1)(a) if the person concerned has made an application for leave to remain in accordance with regulations made under section 9.

(3) Directions may not be given under subsection (1)(c) unless the Secretary of State has given the person concerned written notice, not more than eight weeks after the other person left the United Kingdom in accordance with the first directions, that he intends to remove the person concerned from the United Kingdom.

(4) If such a notice is sent by the Secretary of State by first class post, addressed to the person concerned’s last known address, it is to be taken to have been received by that person on the second day after the day on which it was posted.

(5) Directions for the removal of a person under subsection (1)(c) cease to have effect if he ceases to belong to the family of the other person.

(6) Directions under this section—

(a) may be given only to persons falling within a prescribed class;

(b) may impose any requirements of a prescribed kind.

(7) In relation to any such directions, paragraphs 10, 11, 16 to 18, 21 and 22 to 24 of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act (administrative provisions as to control of entry), apply as they apply in relation to directions given under paragraph 8 of that Schedule.

(8) Directions for the removal of a person given under this section invalidate any leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom given to him before the directions are given or while they are in force.

(9) The costs of complying with a direction given under this section (so far as reasonably incurred) must be met by the Secretary of State.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 10 extended (14.12.2001) by 2001 c. 24, ss. 22(1)(2)(i)(3), 127(2)

C2 S. 10 restricted (2.10.2000) by S.I. 2000/2444, art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 1(2)

S. 10 applied (2.10.2000) by S.I. 2000/2326, regs. 9, 26(2)

S. 10 restricted (2.10.2000) by S.I. 2000/2326, reg. 34(2)(10) (with application as mentioned in regs. 9, 28 of the said S.I.)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 10 wholly in force at 2.10.2000; s. 10 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 170(4); s. 10(6) in force at 22.5.2000 by S.I. 2000/1282, art. 2, Sch.; s. 10 in force so far as not already in force at 2.10.2000 by virtue of S.I. 2000/265, reg. 3 and S.I. 2000/2444, art. 2, Sch. 1 (subject to arts. 3,4, Sch. 2)

Valid from 02/10/2000

11 Removal of asylum claimants under standing arrangements with member States. U.K.

(1) In determining whether a person in relation to whom a certificate has been issued under subsection (2) may be removed from the United Kingdom, a member State is to be regarded as—

(a) a place where a person’s life and liberty is not threatened by reason of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion; and

(b) a place from which a person will not be sent to another country otherwise than in accordance with the Refugee Convention.

(2) Nothing in section 15 prevents a person who has made a claim for asylum (“the claimant”) from being removed from the United Kingdom to a member State if—

(a) the Secretary of State has certified that—

(i) the member State has accepted that, under standing arrangements, it is the responsible State in relation to the claimant’s claim for asylum; and

(ii) in his opinion, the claimant is not a national or citizen of the member State to which he is to be sent;

(b) the certificate has not been set aside on an appeal under section 65.

(3) Unless a certificate has been issued under section 72(2)(a) in relation to a person, he is not to be removed from the United Kingdom—

(a) if he has an appeal under section 65 against the decision to remove him in accordance with this section pending; or

(b) before the time for giving notice of such an appeal has expired.

(4) “Standing arrangements” means arrangements in force as between member States for determining which state is responsible for considering applications for asylum.

Valid from 22/05/2000

12 Removal of asylum claimants in other circumstances. U.K.

(1) Subsection (2) applies if the Secretary of State intends to remove a person who has made a claim for asylum (“the claimant”) from the United Kingdom to—

(a) a member State, or a territory which forms part of a member State, otherwise than under standing arrangements; or

(b) a country other than a member State which is designated by order made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section.

(2) Nothing in section 15 prevents the claimant’s removal if—

(a) the Secretary of State has certified that, in his opinion, the conditions set out in subsection (7) are fulfilled;

(b) the certificate has not been set aside on an appeal under section 65.

(3) Unless a certificate has been issued under section 72(2)(a) in relation to a person, he is not to be removed from the United Kingdom—

(a) if he has an appeal under section 65 against the decision to remove him in accordance with subsection (2) pending; or

(b) before the time for giving notice of such an appeal has expired.

(4) Subsection (5) applies if the Secretary of State intends to remove a person who has made a claim for asylum (“the claimant”) from the United Kingdom to a country which is not—

(a) a member State; or

(b) a country designated under subsection (1)(b).

(5) Nothing in section 15 prevents the claimant’s removal if—

(a) the Secretary of State has certified that, in his opinion, the conditions set out in subsection (7) are fulfilled;

(b) the certificate has not been set aside on an appeal under section 65 or 71; and

(c) the time for giving notice of such an appeal has expired and no such appeal is pending.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5)(c), an appeal under section 65 is not to be regarded as pending if the Secretary of State has issued a certificate under section 72(2)(a) in relation to the allegation on which it is founded.

(7) The conditions are that—

(a) he is not a national or citizen of the country to which he is to be sent;

(b) his life and liberty would not be threatened there by reason of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion; and

(c) the government of that country would not send him to another country otherwise than in accordance with the Refugee Convention.

(8) “Standing arrangements” has the same meaning as in section 11.

Commencement Information

I2 S. 12 wholly in force; s. 12 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 170(4); s. 12(1) in force for certain purposes at 22.5.2000 by S.I. 2000/1282, art. 2, Sch.; s. 12 in force so far as not already in force at 2.10.2000 by S.I. 2000/2444, art. 2, Sch. 1 (subject to arts. 3, 4, Sch. 2)

Valid from 11/12/2000

13 Proof of identity of persons to be removed or deported. U.K.

(1) This section applies if a person—

(a) is to be removed from the United Kingdom to a country of which he is a national or citizen; but

(b) does not have a valid passport or other document establishing his identity and nationality or citizenship and permitting him to travel.

(2) If the country to which the person is to be removed indicates that he will not be admitted to it unless identification data relating to him are provided by the Secretary of State, he may provide them with such data.

(3) In providing identification data, the Secretary of State must not disclose whether the person concerned has made a claim for asylum.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph 4(1) of Schedule 4 to the M1 Data Protection Act 1998, the provision under this section of identification data is a transfer of personal data which is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest.

(5) “Identification data” means—

(a) fingerprints taken under section 141; or

(b) data collected in accordance with regulations made under section 144.

(6) “Removed” means removed as a result of directions given under section 10 or under Schedule 2 or 3 to the 1971 Act.

Marginal Citations

M1 1998 c.29.

Valid from 01/03/2000

14 Escorts for persons removed from the United Kingdom under directions. U.K.

(1) Directions for, or requiring arrangements to be made for, the removal of a person from the United Kingdom may include or be amended to include provision for the person who is to be removed to be accompanied by an escort consisting of one or more persons specified in the directions.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision supplementing subsection (1).

(3) The regulations may, in particular, include provision—

(a) requiring the person to whom the directions are given to provide for the return of the escort to the United Kingdom;

(b) requiring him to bear such costs in connection with the escort (including, in particular, remuneration) as may be prescribed;

(c) as to the cases in which the Secretary of State is to bear those costs;

(d) prescribing the kinds of expenditure which are to count in calculating the costs incurred in connection with escorts.

15 Protection of claimants from removal or deportation. U.K.

(1) During the period beginning when a person makes a claim for asylum and ending when the Secretary of State gives him notice of the decision on the claim, he may not be removed from, or required to leave, the United Kingdom.

(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent—

(a) directions for his removal being given during that period;

(b) a deportation order being made against him during that period.

(3) But no such direction or order is to have effect during that period.

(4) This section is to be treated as having come into force on 26 July 1993.

Prospective

Provision of financial security U.K.

16 Security on grant of entry clearance. U.K.

(1) In such circumstances as may be specified, the Secretary of State may require security to be given, with respect to a person applying for entry clearance, before clearance is given.

(2) In such circumstances as may be specified—

(a) the Secretary of State may accept security with respect to a person who is applying for entry clearance but for whom security is not required; and

(b) in determining whether to give clearance, account may be taken of any security so provided.

(3) “Security” means—

(a) the deposit of a sum of money by the applicant, his agent or any other person, or

(b) the provision by the applicant, his agent or any other person of a financial guarantee of a specified kind,

with a view to securing that the applicant will, if given leave to enter the United Kingdom for a limited period, leave the United Kingdom at the end of that period.

(4) Immigration rules must make provision as to the circumstances in which a security provided under this section—

(a) is to be repaid, released or otherwise cancelled; or

(b) is to be forfeited or otherwise realised by the Secretary of State.

(5) No security provided under this section may be forfeited or otherwise realised unless the person providing it has been given an opportunity, in accordance with immigration rules, to make representations to the Secretary of State.

(6) Immigration rules may, in particular—

(a) fix the maximum amount that may be required, or accepted, by way of security provided under this section;

(b) specify the form and manner in which such a security is to be given or may be accepted;

(c) make provision, where such a security has been forfeited or otherwise realised, for the person providing it to be reimbursed in such circumstances as may be specified;

(d) make different provision for different cases or descriptions of case.

(7) “Specified” means specified by immigration rules.

(8) Any security forfeited or otherwise realised by the Secretary of State under this section must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

17 Provision of further security on extension of leave. U.K.

(1) This section applies if security has been provided under section 16(1) or (2) with respect to a person who, having entered the United Kingdom (with leave to do so), applies—

(a) to extend his leave to enter the United Kingdom; or

(b) for leave to remain in the United Kingdom for a limited period.

(2) The Secretary of State may refuse the application if security of such kind as the Secretary of State considers appropriate is not provided, or continued, with respect to the applicant.

(3) Immigration rules must make provision as to the circumstances in which a security provided under this section—

(a) is to be repaid, released or otherwise cancelled; or

(b) is to be forfeited or otherwise realised by the Secretary of State.

(4) No security provided under this section may be forfeited or otherwise realised unless the person providing it has been given an opportunity, in accordance with immigration rules, to make representations to the Secretary of State.

(5) Subsection (7) of section 16 applies in relation to this section as it applies in relation to that section.

(6) Any security forfeited or otherwise realised by the Secretary of State under this section must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Valid from 01/01/2000

Information U.K.

Valid from 01/03/2000

18 Passenger information. U.K.

In the 1971 Act, in Schedule 2, after paragraph 27, insert—

“ Passenger information

27B (1) This paragraph applies to ships or aircraft—

(a) which have arrived, or are expected to arrive, in the United Kingdom; or

(b) which have left, or are expected to leave, the United Kingdom.

(2) If an immigration officer asks the owner or agent (“the carrier”) of a ship or aircraft for passenger information, the carrier must provide that information to the officer.

(3) The officer may ask for passenger information relating to—

(a) a particular ship or particular aircraft of the carrier;

(b) particular ships or aircraft (however described) of the carrier; or

(c) all of the carrier’s ships or aircraft.

(4) The officer may ask for—

(a) all passenger information in relation to the ship or aircraft concerned; or

(b) particular passenger information in relation to that ship or aircraft.

(5) A request under sub-paragraph (2)—

(a) must be in writing;

(b) must state the date on which it ceases to have effect; and

(c) continues in force until that date, unless withdrawn earlier by written notice by an immigration officer.

(6) The date may not be later than six months after the request is made.

(7) The fact that a request under sub-paragraph (2) has ceased to have effect as a result of sub-paragraph (5) does not prevent the request from being renewed.

(8) The information must be provided—

(a) in such form and manner as the Secretary of State may direct; and

(b) at such time as may be stated in the request.

(9) “Passenger information” means such information relating to the passengers carried, or expected to be carried, by the ship or aircraft as may be specified.

(10) “Specified” means specified in an order made by statutory instrument by the Secretary of State.

(11) Such an instrument shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.”

Commencement Information

I3 S. 18 wholly in force; s. 18 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 170(4); s. 18 in force for certain purposes at 1.3.2000 and 3.4.2000 insofar as not already in force by S.I. 2000/464, art. 2, Sch.

Valid from 03/04/2000

19 Notification of non-EEA arrivals. U.K.

In the 1971 Act, in Schedule 2, after paragraph 27B, insert—

“ Notification of non-EEA arrivals

27C (1) If a senior officer, or an immigration officer authorised by a senior officer, gives written notice to the owner or agent (“the carrier”) of a ship or aircraft, the carrier must inform a relevant officer of the expected arrival in the United Kingdom of any ship or aircraft—

(a) of which he is the owner or agent; and

(b) which he expects to carry a person who is not an EEA national.

(2) The notice may relate to—

(a) a particular ship or particular aircraft of the carrier;

(b) particular ships or aircraft (however described) of the carrier; or

(c) all of the carrier’s ships or aircraft.

(3) The notice—

(a) must state the date on which it ceases to have effect; and

(b) continues in force until that date, unless withdrawn earlier by written notice given by a senior officer.

(4) The date may not be later than six months after the notice is given.

(5) The fact that a notice under sub-paragraph (1) has ceased to have effect as a result of sub-paragraph (3) does not prevent the notice from being renewed.

(6) The information must be provided—

(a) in such form and manner as the notice may require; and

(b) before the ship or aircraft concerned departs for the United Kingdom.

(7) If a ship or aircraft travelling to the United Kingdom stops at one or more places before arriving in the United Kingdom, it is to be treated as departing for the United Kingdom when it leaves the last of those places.

(8) “Senior officer” means an immigration officer not below the rank of chief immigration officer.

(9) “Relevant officer” means—

(a) the officer who gave the notice under sub-paragraph (1); or

(b) any immigration officer at the port at which the ship or aircraft concerned is expected to arrive.

(10) “EEA national” means a national of a State which is a Contracting Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992 as it has effect for the time being.”

20 Supply of information to Secretary of State. U.K.

(1) This section applies to information held by—

(a) a chief officer of police;

(b) the Director General of the National Criminal Intelligence Service;

(c) the Director General of the National Crime Squad;

(d) the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, or a person providing services to them in connection with the provision of those services;

(e) a person with whom the Secretary of State has made a contract or other arrangements under section 95 or 98 or a sub-contractor of such a person; or

(f) any specified person, for purposes specified in relation to that person.

(2) The information may be supplied to the Secretary of State for use for immigration purposes.

(3) “Immigration purposes” means any of the following—

(a) the administration of immigration control under the Immigration Acts;

(b) the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of criminal offences under those Acts;

(c) the imposition of penalties or charges under Part II;

(d) the provision of support for asylum-seekers and their dependants under Part VI;

(e) such other purposes as may be specified.

(4) “Chief officer of police” means—

(a) the chief officer of police for a police area in England and Wales;

(b) the chief constable of a police force maintained under the M2 Police (Scotland) Act 1967;

(c) the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

(5) “Specified” means specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.

(6) This section does not limit the circumstances in which information may be supplied apart from this section.

Marginal Citations

M2 1967 c. 77.

21 Supply of information by Secretary of State. U.K.

(1) This section applies to information held by the Secretary of State in connection with the exercise of functions under any of the Immigration Acts.

(2) The information may be supplied to—

(a) a chief officer of police, for use for police purposes;

(b) the Director General of the National Criminal Intelligence Service, for use for NCIS purposes;

(c) the Director General of the National Crime Squad, for use for NCS purposes;

(d) the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, or a person providing services to them, for use for customs purposes; or

(e) any specified person, for use for purposes specified in relation to that person.

(3) “Police purposes” means any of the following—

(a) the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of criminal offences;

(b) safeguarding national security;

(c) such other purposes as may be specified.

(4) “NCIS purposes” means any of the functions of the National Criminal Intelligence Service mentioned in section 2 of the M3 Police Act 1997.

(5) “NCS purposes” means any of the functions of the National Crime Squad mentioned in section 48 of that Act.

(6) “Customs purposes” means any of the Commissioners’ functions in relation to—

(a) the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of criminal offences;

(b) the prevention, detection or investigation of conduct in respect of which penalties which are not criminal penalties are provided for by or under any enactment;

(c) the assessment or determination of penalties which are not criminal penalties;

(d) checking the accuracy of information relating to, or provided for purposes connected with, any matter under the care and management of the Commissioners or any assigned matter (as defined by section 1(1) of the M4 Customs and Excise Management Act 1979);

(e) amending or supplementing any such information (where appropriate);

(f) legal or other proceedings relating to anything mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e);

(g) safeguarding national security; and

(h) such other purposes as may be specified.

(7) “Chief officer of police” and “specified” have the same meaning as in section 20.

(8) This section does not limit the circumstances in which information may be supplied apart from this section.

Marginal Citations

M3 1997 c.50.

M4 1979 c. 2.

Valid from 19/02/2001

Employment: code of practice U.K.

22 Restrictions on employment: code of practice. U.K.

In the M5 Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, after section 8, insert—

“8A Code of practice.

(1) The Secretary of State must issue a code of practice as to the measures which an employer is to be expected to take, or not to take, with a view to securing that, while avoiding the commission of an offence under section 8, he also avoids unlawful discrimination.

(2) “Unlawful discrimination” means—

(a) discrimination in contravention of section 4(1) of the M6 Race Relations Act 1976 (“the 1976 Act”); or

(b) in relation to Northern Ireland, discrimination in contravention of Article 6(1) of the M7 Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (“the 1997 Order”).

(3) Before issuing the code, the Secretary of State must—

(a) prepare and publish a draft of the proposed code; and

(b) consider any representations about it which are made to him.

(4) In preparing the draft, the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the Commission for Racial Equality;

(b) the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland; and

(c) such organisations and bodies (including organisations or associations of organisations representative of employers or of workers) as he considers appropriate.

(5) If the Secretary of State decides to proceed with the code, he must lay a draft of the code before both Houses of Parliament.

(6) The draft code may contain modifications to the original proposals made in the light of representations to the Secretary of State.

(7) After laying the draft code before Parliament, the Secretary of State may bring the code into operation by an order made by statutory instrument.

(8) An order under subsection (7)—

(a) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament;

(b) may contain such transitional provisions or savings as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient in connection with the code.

(9) A failure on the part of any person to observe a provision of the code does not of itself make him liable to any proceedings.

(10) But the code is admissible in evidence—

(a) in proceedings under the 1976 Act before an employment tribunal;

(b) in proceedings under the 1997 Order before an industrial tribunal.

(11) If any provision of the code appears to the tribunal to be relevant to any question arising in such proceedings, that provision is to be taken into account in determining the question.

(12) The Secretary of State may from time to time revise the whole or any part of the code and issue the code as revised.

(13) The provisions of this section also apply (with appropriate modifications) to any revision, or proposed revision, of the code.”

Commencement Information

I4 S. 22 wholly in force at 22.5.2001; s. 22 not in force at royal assent; S. 22 in force for certain purposes at 19.2.2001 by S.I. 2001/239, art. 2, Sch. and s. 22 in force so far as not already in force at 22.5.2001 by S.I. 2001/1394, art. 2, Sch.

Marginal Citations

M5 1996 c. 49.

M6 1976 c. 74.

M7 S.I. 1997/869 (N.I. 6).

Valid from 02/10/2000

Monitoring entry clearance U.K.

23 Monitoring refusals of entry clearance. U.K.

(1) The Secretary of State must appoint a person to monitor, in such a manner as the Secretary of State may determine, refusals of entry clearance in cases where there is, as a result of section 60(5), no right of appeal.

(2) But the Secretary of State may not appoint a member of his staff.

(3) The monitor must make an annual report on the discharge of his functions to the Secretary of State.

(4) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of any report made to him under subsection (3) before each House of Parliament.

(5) The Secretary of State may pay to the monitor such fees and allowances as he may determine.

Valid from 01/01/2001

Reporting suspicious marriages U.K.

24 Duty to report suspicious marriages. U.K.

(1) Subsection (3) applies if—

(a) a superintendent registrar to whom a notice of marriage has been given under section 27 of the M8 Marriage Act 1949,

(b) any other person who, under section 28(2) of that Act, has attested a declaration accompanying such a notice,

(c) a district registrar to whom a marriage notice or an approved certificate has been submitted under section 3 of the M9 Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977, or

(d) a registrar or deputy registrar to whom notice has been given under section 13 of the M10 Marriages (Ireland) Act 1844 or section 4 of the M11 Marriage Law (Ireland) Amendment Act 1863,

has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the marriage will be a sham marriage.

(2) Subsection (3) also applies if—

(a) a marriage is solemnized in the presence of a registrar of marriages or, in relation to Scotland, an authorised registrar (within the meaning of the Act of 1977); and

(b) before, during or immediately after solemnization of the marriage, the registrar has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the marriage will be, or is, a sham marriage.

(3) The person concerned must report his suspicion to the Secretary of State without delay and in such form and manner as may be prescribed by regulations.

(4) The regulations are to be made—

(a) in relation to England and Wales, by the Registrar General for England and Wales with the approval of the Chancellor of the Exchequer;

(b) in relation to Scotland, by the Secretary of State after consulting the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages for Scotland;

(c) in relation to Northern Ireland, by the Secretary of State after consulting the Registrar General in Northern Ireland.

(5) “Sham marriage” means a marriage (whether or not void)—

(a) entered into between a person (“A”) who is neither a British citizen nor a national of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom and another person (whether or not such a citizen or such a national); and

(b) entered into by A for the purpose of avoiding the effect of one or more provisions of United Kingdom immigration law or the immigration rules.

Commencement Information

I5 S. 24 wholly in force at 1.1.2001, see s. 170(4) and S.I. 2000/2698, art. 2, Sch. (as amended by S.I. 2000/3099, art. 4) subject to the transitional provision in art. 3 (as also inserted by art. 4 of the said S.I. 2000/3099)

Marginal Citations

M8 1949 c. 76.

M9 1977 c. 15.

M10 1844 c. 81.

M11 1863 c. 27.

Valid from 17/02/2003

Immigration control: facilities and charges U.K.

25 Provision of facilities for immigration control at ports. U.K.

(1) The person responsible for the management of a control port (“the manager”) must provide the Secretary of State free of charge with such facilities at the port as the Secretary of State may direct as being reasonably necessary for, or in connection with, the operation of immigration control there.

(2) Before giving such a direction, the Secretary of State must consult such persons likely to be affected by it as he considers appropriate.

(3) If the Secretary of State gives such a direction, he must send a copy of it to the person appearing to him to be the manager.

(4) If the manager persistently fails to comply with the direction (or part of it), the Secretary of State may—

(a) in the case of a control port which is not a port of entry, revoke any approval in relation to the port given under paragraph 26(1) of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act;

(b) in the case of a control port which is a port of entry, by order revoke its designation as a port of entry.

(5) A direction under this section is enforceable, on the application of the Secretary of State—

(a) by injunction granted by a county court; or

(b) in Scotland, by an order under section 45 of the M12 Court of Session Act 1988.

(6) “Control port” means a port in which a control area is designated under paragraph 26(3) of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act.

(7) “Facilities” means accommodation, facilities, equipment and services of a class or description specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.

Marginal Citations

M12 1988 c. 36.

Valid from 05/06/2003

26 Charges: immigration control. U.K.

(1) The Secretary of State may, at the request of any person and in consideration of such charges as he may determine, make arrangements—

(a) for the provision at any control port of immigration officers or facilities in addition to those (if any) needed to provide a basic service at the port;

(b) for the provision of immigration officers or facilities for dealing with passengers of a particular description or in particular circumstances.

(2) “Control port” has the same meaning as in section 25.

(3) “Facilities” includes equipment.

(4) “Basic service” has such meaning as may be prescribed.

Valid from 11/11/1999

Charges: travel documents U.K.

27 Charges: travel documents. U.K.

(1) The Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, make regulations prescribing fees to be paid in connection with applications to him for travel documents.

(2) If a fee is prescribed in connection with an application of a particular kind, no such application is to be entertained by the Secretary of State unless the fee has been paid in accordance with the regulations.

(3) In respect of any period before the coming into force of this section, the Secretary of State is to be deemed always to have had power to impose charges in connection with—

(a) applications to him for travel documents; or

(b) the issue by him of travel documents.

(4) “Travel document” does not include a passport.

Valid from 11/11/1999

Offences U.K.

Valid from 14/02/2000

28 Deception. U.K.

In the 1971 Act, after section 24, insert—

“24A Deception.

(1) A person who is not a British citizen is guilty of an offence if, by means which include deception by him—

(a) he obtains or seeks to obtain leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom; or

(b) he secures or seeks to secure the avoidance, postponement or revocation of enforcement action against him.

(2) “Enforcement action”, in relation to a person, means—

(a) the giving of directions for his removal from the United Kingdom (“directions”) under Schedule 2 to this Act or section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;

(b) the making of a deportation order against him under section 5 of this Act; or

(c) his removal from the United Kingdom in consequence of directions or a deportation order.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both; or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or to both.

(4) The extended time limit for prosecutions which is provided for by section 28 applies to an offence under this section.”

Valid from 14/02/2000

29 Facilitation of entry. U.K.

(1) Section 25 of the 1971 Act (assisting illegal entry) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), for “seven” substitute “ ten ”.

(3) For subsection (1A) substitute—

“(1A) Nothing in subsection (1)(b) applies to anything done in relation to a person who—

(a) has been detained under paragraph 16 of Schedule 2 to this Act; or

(b) has been granted temporary admission under paragraph 21 of that Schedule.

(1B) Nothing in subsection (1)(b) applies to anything done by a person otherwise than for gain.

(1C) Nothing in subsection (1)(b) applies to anything done to assist an asylum claimant by a person in the course of his employment by a bona fide organisation, if the purposes of that organisation include assistance to persons in the position of the asylum claimant.

(1D) “Asylum claimant” means a person who intends to make a claim that it would be contrary to the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Refugee Convention or the Human Rights Convention for him to be removed from, or required to leave, the United Kingdom.

(1E) “Refugee Convention” and “Human Rights Convention” have the meaning given in the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.”

(4) In subsection (5), for “Subsection (1)(a)” substitute “ Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) ”.

Commencement Information

I6 S. 29 wholly in force; s. 29 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 170(4); s. 29(2)(4) wholly in force and s. 29(1) in force for certain purposes at 14.2.2000 by S.I. 2000/168, art. 2, Sch. (with transitional provisions in art. 3); s. 29 in force so far as not already in force 2.10.2000 by S.I. 2000/2444, art. 2, Sch. 1 (subject to arts. 3, 4, Sch. 2)

Valid from 14/02/2000

30 False statements etc. U.K.

(1) Section 26 of the 1971 Act (general offences in connection with administration of the Act) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1)(c), for “this Act” substitute “ a relevant enactment ”.

(3) After subsection (2), insert—

“(3) “Relevant enactment” means—

(a) this Act;

(b) the M13 Immigration Act 1988;

(c) the M14 Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 (apart from section 4 or 5); or

(d) the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (apart from Part VI).”

Marginal Citations

M13 1988 c. 14.

M14 1993 c. 23.

31 Defences based on Article 31(1) of the Refugee Convention. U.K.

(1) It is a defence for a refugee charged with an offence to which this section applies to show that, having come to the United Kingdom directly from a country where his life or freedom was threatened (within the meaning of the Refugee Convention), he—

(a) presented himself to the authorities in the United Kingdom without delay;

(b) showed good cause for his illegal entry or presence; and

(c) made a claim for asylum as soon as was reasonably practicable after his arrival in the United Kingdom.

(2) If, in coming from the country where his life or freedom was threatened, the refugee stopped in another country outside the United Kingdom, subsection (1) applies only if he shows that he could not reasonably have expected to be given protection under the Refugee Convention in that other country.

(3) In England and Wales and Northern Ireland the offences to which this section applies are any offence, and any attempt to commit an offence, under—

(a) Part I of the M15 Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 (forgery and connected offences);

(b) section 24A of the 1971 Act (deception); or

(c) section 26(1)(d) of the 1971 Act (falsification of documents).

(4) In Scotland, the offences to which this section applies are those—

(a) of fraud,

(b) of uttering a forged document,

(c) under section 24A of the 1971 Act (deception), or

(d) under section 26(1)(d) of the 1971 Act (falsification of documents),

and any attempt to commit any of those offences.

(5) A refugee who has made a claim for asylum is not entitled to the defence provided by subsection (1) in relation to any offence committed by him after making that claim.

(6) “Refugee” has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of the Refugee Convention.

(7) If the Secretary of State has refused to grant a claim for asylum made by a person who claims that he has a defence under subsection (1), that person is to be taken not to be a refugee unless he shows that he is.

(8) A person who—

(a) was convicted in England and Wales or Northern Ireland of an offence to which this section applies before the commencement of this section, but

(b) at no time during the proceedings for that offence argued that he had a defence based on Article 31(1),

may apply to the Criminal Cases Review Commission with a view to his case being referred to the Court of Appeal by the Commission on the ground that he would have had a defence under this section had it been in force at the material time.

(9) A person who—

(a) was convicted in Scotland of an offence to which this section applies before the commencement of this section, but

(b) at no time during the proceedings for that offence argued that he had a defence based on Article 31(1),

may apply to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission with a view to his case being referred to the High Court of Justiciary by the Commission on the ground that he would have had a defence under this section had it been in force at the material time.

(10) The Secretary of State may by order amend—

(a) subsection (3), or

(b) subsection (4),

by adding offences to those for the time being listed there.

(11) Before making an order under subsection (10)(b), the Secretary of State must consult the Scottish Ministers.

Marginal Citations

M15 1981 c. 45.