UK immigration authorities and sources of immigration law

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This topic looks at the legal framework that underpins UK immigration control and the government department that manages it.

Home Office

The Home Office is responsible for all aspects of control of the UK border and of the entry and stay of foreign nationals who require leave (permission) to enter and remain in the UK.

Any decision to grant or refuse leave to enter, entry clearance or leave to remain is made by the Home Office on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Home Department (SSHD). The Home Office also considers applications for British citizenship. Passport applications are handled by a separate part of the Home Office, His Majesty's Passport Office.

The immigration control work of the Home Office is split into three areas:

  1. •

    UK Border Force—which manages applications for leave to enter at the border and customs functions

  2. •

    UK Visas and Immigration—which deals with applications for entry clearance and leave to remain, asylum applications, appeals and sponsor management for the Worker, Temporary Worker and Student immigration routes

  3. •

    Immigration Enforcement—which is responsible for investigating immigration offences, detention, administrative removal

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