The Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006

PART 4 REFUSAL OF ADMISSION AND REMOVAL ETC

Exclusion and removal from the United Kingdom

19.—(1) A person is not entitled to be admitted to the United Kingdom by virtue of regulation 11 if his exclusion is justified on grounds of public policy, public security or public health in accordance with regulation 21.

[F1 (1A) A person is not entitled to be admitted to the United Kingdom by virtue of regulation 11 if that person is subject to a deportation or exclusion order[F2 , except where the person is temporarily admitted pursuant to regulation 29AA].

[F3 (1AB) A person is not entitled to be admitted to the United Kingdom by virtue of regulation 11 if the Secretary of State considers there to be reasonable grounds to suspect that his admission would lead to the abuse of a right to reside in accordance with regulation 21B(1).]

(1B)  If the Secretary of State considers that the exclusion of an EEA national or the family member of an EEA national is justified on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health in accordance with regulation 21 the Secretary of State may make an order for the purpose of these Regulations prohibiting that person from entering the United Kingdom. ]

(2)  A person is not entitled to be admitted to the United Kingdom as the family member of an EEA national under regulation 11(2) unless, at the time of his arrival—

(a) he is accompanying the EEA national or joining him in the United Kingdom; and

(b) the EEA national has a right to reside in the United Kingdom under these Regulations.

[F4 (3)  Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), an EEA national who has entered the United Kingdom or the family member of such a national who has entered the United Kingdom may be removed if – ]

[F5 (a) that person does not have or ceases to have a right to reside under these Regulations;

(b) the Secretary of State has decided that the person’s removal is justified on grounds of public policy, public security or public health in accordance with regulation 21; or

(c) the Secretary of State has decided that the person’s removal is justified on grounds of abuse of rights in accordance with regulation 21B(2).]

(4) A person must not be removed under paragraph (3) as the automatic consequence of having recourse to the social assistance system of the United Kingdom.

(5) A person must not be removed under paragraph (3) if he has a right to remain in the United Kingdom by virtue of leave granted under the 1971 Act unless his removal is justified on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health in accordance with regulation 21.

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 19(1A)(1B) inserted (1.6.2009) by Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1117), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 6(a)

F2 Words in reg. 19(1A) inserted (28.7.2014) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1976), reg. 1, Sch. para. 4 (with reg. 4)

F3 Reg. 19(1AB) inserted (1.1.2014) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No.2)Regulations2013 (S.I. 2013/3032), reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(a)

F4 Reg. 19(3) substituted (1.6.2009) by Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1117), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 6(b)

F5 Reg. 19(3)(a)-(c) substituted for reg. 19(3)(a) (1.1.2014) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No.2)Regulations2013 (S.I. 2013/3032), reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(b)

Refusal to issue or renew and revocation of residence documentation

20.—(1) The Secretary of State may refuse to issue, revoke or refuse to renew a registration certificate, a residence card, a document certifying permanent residence or a permanent residence card if the refusal or revocation is justified on grounds of public policy, public security or public health [F6 or on grounds of abuse of rights in accordance with regulation 21B(2)].

[F7 (1A) [F8 A decision under regulation 19(3) [F9 or 24(4)] to remove a person from the United Kingdom [F10 , or a decision under regulation 23A to revoke a person’s admission to the United Kingdom,] will (save during any period in which a right of residence is deemed to continue as a result of regulation 15B(2)) invalidate] a registration certificate, residence card, document certifying permanent residence or permanent residence card held by that person or an application made by that person for such a certificate, card or document.]

(2) The Secretary of State may revoke a registration certificate or a residence card or refuse to renew a residence card if the holder of the certificate or card has ceased to have [F11 , or never had,] a right to reside under these Regulations.

(3) The Secretary of State may revoke a document certifying permanent residence or a permanent residence card or refuse to renew a permanent residence card if the holder of the certificate or card has ceased to have [F12 , or never had,] a right of permanent residence under regulation 15.

(4) An immigration officer may, at the time of a person's arrival in the United Kingdom—

(a) revoke that person's residence card if he is not at that time the family member of a qualified person or of an EEA national who has a right of permanent residence under regulation 15, a family member who has retained the right of residence or a person with a right of permanent residence under regulation 15;

(b) revoke that person's permanent residence card if he is not at that time a person with a right of permanent residence under regulation 15.

(5) [F13 An entry clearance officer or immigration officer may at any time revoke a person’s] EEA family permit if—

(a) the revocation is justified on grounds of public policy, public security or public health; or

(b) the person is not at that time the family member of an EEA national with the right to reside in the United Kingdom under these Regulations or is not accompanying that national or joining him in the United Kingdom.

(6) Any action taken under this regulation on grounds of public policy, public security or public health shall be in accordance with regulation 21.

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in reg. 20(1) inserted (1.1.2014) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No.2)Regulations2013 (S.I. 2013/3032), reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 14(a)

F7 Reg. 20(1A) inserted (1.6.2009) by Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1117), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 7(a)

F8 Words in reg. 20(1A) substituted (16.7.2012) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1547), reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 12 (with Sch. 3)

F9 Words in reg. 20(1A) inserted (6.4.2015) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/694), reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 8(a)

F10 Words in reg. 20(1A) inserted (6.4.2015) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/694), reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 8(b)

F11 Words in reg. 20(2) inserted (1.1.2014) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No.2)Regulations2013 (S.I. 2013/3032), reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 14(b)

F12 Words in reg. 20(3) inserted (1.1.2014) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No.2)Regulations2013 (S.I. 2013/3032), reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 14(b)

F13 Words in reg. 20(5) substituted (1.6.2009) by Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1117), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 7(b)

[F14 Cancellation of a right of residence

20A.— (1) Where the conditions in paragraph (2) are met the Secretary of State may cancel a person’s right to reside in the United Kingdom pursuant to these Regulations.

(2) The conditions in this paragraph are met where—

(a) a person has a right to reside in the United Kingdom as a result of these Regulations;

(b) the Secretary of State has decided that the cancellation of that person’s right to reside in the United Kingdom is justified on grounds of public policy, public security or public health in accordance with regulation 21 [F15 or on grounds of abuse of rights in accordance with regulation 21B(2)];

(c) the circumstances are such that the Secretary of State cannot make a decision under regulation 20(1); and

(d) it is not possible for the Secretary of State to remove the person from the United Kingdom pursuant to regulation 19(3)(b) [F16 or (c)].]

Textual Amendments

F14 Reg. 20A inserted (16.7.2012) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1547), reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 13 (with Sch. 3 )

F15 Words in reg. 20A(2)(b) inserted (1.1.2014) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No.2)Regulations2013 (S.I. 2013/3032), reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 15(a)

F16 Words in reg. 20A(2)(d) inserted (1.1.2014) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No.2)Regulations2013 (S.I. 2013/3032), reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 15(b)

[F17 Verification of a right of residence

20B.— (1) This regulation applies when the Secretary of State—

(a) has reasonable doubt as to whether a person (“A”) has a right to reside under regulation 14(1) or (2); or

(b) wants to verify the eligibility of a person (“A”) to apply for documentation issued under Part 3.

(2) The Secretary of State may invite A to—

(a) provide evidence to support the existence of a right to reside, or to support an application for documentation under Part 3; or

(b) attend an interview with the Secretary of State.

(3) If A purports to be entitled to a right to reside on the basis of a relationship with another person (“B”), the Secretary of State may invite B to—

(a) provide information about their relationship with A; or

(b) attend an interview with the Secretary of State.

(4) If, without good reason, A or B fail to provide the additional information requested or, on at least two occasions, fail to attend an interview if so invited, the Secretary of State may draw any factual inferences about A’s entitlement to a right to reside as appear appropriate in the circumstances.

(5) The Secretary of State may decide following an inference under paragraph (4) that A does not have or ceases to have a right to reside.

(6) But the Secretary of State must not decide that A does not have or ceases to have a right to reside on the sole basis that A failed to comply with this regulation.

(7) This regulation may not be invoked systematically.

(8) In this regulation, “a right to reside” means a right to reside under these Regulations.]

Textual Amendments

F17 Reg. 20B inserted (1.1.2014) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No.2)Regulations2013 (S.I. 2013/3032) , reg. 2(1) , Sch. 1 para. 16

Decisions taken on public policy, public security and public health grounds

21.—(1)  In this regulation a “ relevant decision ” means an EEA decision taken on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health.

(2) A relevant decision may not be taken to serve economic ends.

(3) A relevant decision may not be taken in respect of a person with a permanent right of residence under regulation 15 except on serious grounds of public policy or public security.

(4)  A relevant decision may not be taken except on imperative grounds of public security in respect of an EEA national who—

(a) has resided in the United Kingdom for a continuous period of at least ten years prior to the relevant decision; or

(b) is under the age of 18, unless the relevant decision is necessary in his best interests, as provided for in the Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20th November 1989 M1 .

(5) Where a relevant decision is taken on grounds of public policy or public security it shall, in addition to complying with the preceding paragraphs of this regulation, be taken in accordance with the following principles—

(a) the decision must comply with the principle of proportionality;

(b) the decision must be based exclusively on the personal conduct of the person concerned;

(c) the personal conduct of the person concerned must represent a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society;

(d) matters isolated from the particulars of the case or which relate to considerations of general prevention do not justify the decision;

(e) a person's previous criminal convictions do not in themselves justify the decision.

(6) Before taking a relevant decision on the grounds of public policy or public security in relation to a person who is resident in the United Kingdom the decision maker must take account of considerations such as the age, state of health, family and economic situation of the person, the person's length of residence in the United Kingdom, the person's social and cultural integration into the United Kingdom and the extent of the person's links with his country of origin.

(7) In the case of a relevant decision taken on grounds of public health—

(a) a disease that does not have epidemic potential as defined by the relevant instruments of the World Health Organisation M2 or is not a disease [F18 listed in Schedule 1 to the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010 ] shall not constitute grounds for the decision; and

(b) if the person concerned is in the United Kingdom, diseases occurring after the three month period beginning on the date on which he arrived in the United Kingdom shall not constitute grounds for the decision.

Textual Amendments

F18 Words in reg. 21(7)(a) substituted (26.7.2010) by The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Consequential Amendments) (Wales) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1593) , arts. 1(1) , 3 , Sch. para. 4

Marginal Citations

M1 Cmd 1976.

M2 The relevant instrument of the World Health Organisation for these purposes is currently the International Health Regulations (2005).

[F19 Application of Part 4 to persons with a derivative right of residence

21A.— (1) Where this regulation applies Part 4 of these Regulations applies subject to the modifications listed in paragraph (3).

(2) This regulation applies where a person—

(a) would, notwithstanding Part 4 of these Regulations, have a right to be admitted to, or reside in, the United Kingdom by virtue of a derivative right of residence arising under regulation 15A(2), (4)[F20 , (4A)] or (5);

(b) holds a derivative residence card; or

(c) has applied for a derivative residence card.

(3) Where this regulation applies Part 4 applies in relation to the matters listed in paragraph (2) as if—

(a) references to a matter being F21 ...justified on grounds of public policy, public security or public health in accordance with regulation 21 F21 ... referred instead to a matter being “conducive to the public good”;

(b) the reference in regulation 20(5)(a) to a matter being “justified on grounds of public policy, public security or public health” referred instead to a matter being “conducive to the public good”;

(c) references to “the family member of an EEA national” referred instead to “a person with a derivative right of residence”;

(d) references to “a registration certificate, a residence card, a document certifying permanent residence or a permanent residence card” referred instead to “a derivative residence card”;

(e) the reference in regulation 19(1A) to a deportation or exclusion order referred also to a deportation or exclusion order made under any provision of the immigration Acts.

(f) regulation 20(4) instead conferred on an immigration officer the power to revoke a derivative residence card where the holder is not at that time a person with a derivative right of residence; and

(g) regulations 20(3), 20(6) and 21 were omitted.]

Textual Amendments

F19 Reg. 21A inserted (16.7.2012) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1547) , reg. 2(1) , Sch. 1 para. 14 (with Sch. 3 )

F20 Words in reg. 21A(2)(a) inserted (8.11.2012) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2560) , reg. 1 , Sch. para. 4

F21 Reg. 21A(3)(a) quotation marks omitted (1.1.2014) by virtue of The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No.2)Regulations2013 (S.I. 2013/3032), reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 17 (with Sch. 3 para. 3)

[F22 Abuse of rights or fraud

21B.— (1) The abuse of a right to reside includes—

(a) engaging in conduct which appears to be intended to circumvent the requirement to be a qualified person;

(b) attempting to enter the United Kingdom within 12 months of being removed pursuant to regulation 19(3)(a), where the person attempting to do so is unable to provide evidence that, upon re-entry to the United Kingdom, the conditions for any right to reside, other than the initial right of residence under regulation 13, will be met;

(c) entering, attempting to enter or assisting another person to enter or attempt to enter, a marriage or civil partnership of convenience; or

(d) fraudulently obtaining or attempting to obtain, or assisting another to obtain or attempt to obtain, a right to reside.

(2)  The Secretary of State may take an EEA decision on the grounds of abuse of rights where there are reasonable grounds to suspect the abuse of a right to reside and it is proportionate to do so.

(3)  Where these Regulations provide that an EEA decision taken on the grounds of abuse in the preceding twelve months affects a person’s right to reside, the person who is the subject of that decision may apply to the Secretary of State to have the effect of that decision set aside on grounds that there has been a material change in the circumstances which justified that decision.

(4) An application under paragraph (3) may only be made whilst the applicant is outside the United Kingdom.

(5) This regulation may not be invoked systematically.

(6) In this regulation, “a right to reside” means a right to reside under these Regulations.]

Textual Amendments

F22 Reg. 21B inserted (1.1.2014) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No.2)Regulations2013 (S.I. 2013/3032) , reg. 2(1) , Sch. 1 para. 18