Immigration Act 1971
Sections and provisions with full text and the judgments that cite each one.
Section 1 — General principles.
General principles. 1 1 All those who are in this Act expressed to have the right of abode in the United Kingdom shall be free to live in, and to come and go into and from, the United Kingdom without…
Section A1 — Introductory
Introductory A1 1 This Part of this Schedule sets out the powers exercisable by immigration officers and enforcement officers (referred to in this Part of this Schedule as “ relevant officers ”)…
Section B1 — Power to stop, board, divert and detain
Power to stop, board, divert and detain B1 1 This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that— a a relevant offence is being, or has been, committed on the ship, or…
Section C1 — Power to search and obtain information
Power to search and obtain information C1 1 This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that there is evidence on the ship (other than items subject to legal…
Section D1 — Power of arrest and seizure
Power of arrest and seizure D1 1 This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that a relevant offence has been, or is being, committed on the ship. 2 The relevant…
Section E1 — Protective searches of persons
Protective searches of persons E1 1 A relevant officer may search a person found on the ship for anything which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person might use to— a cause physical…
Section F1 — Search for nationality documents
Search for nationality documents F1 1 A relevant officer may require a person found on the ship to produce a nationality document. 2 The relevant officer may search a person found on the ship where…
Section G1 — Assistants
Assistants G1 1 A relevant officer may— a be accompanied by other persons, and b take equipment or materials, to assist the officer in the exercise of powers under this Part of this Schedule. 2 A…
Section H1 — Reasonable force
Reasonable force H1 A relevant officer may use reasonable force, if necessary, in the performance of functions under this Part of this Schedule.
Section I1 — Evidence of authority
Evidence of authority I1 A relevant officer must produce evidence of the relevant officer’s authority if asked to do so.
Section J1 — Protection of relevant officers
Protection of relevant officers J1 A relevant officer is not liable in any criminal or civil proceedings for anything done in the purported performance of functions under this Part of this Schedule…
Section K1 — Offences under the law of England and Wales
Offences under the law of England and Wales K1 1 A person commits an offence under the law of England and Wales if the person— a intentionally obstructs a relevant officer in the performance of…
Section L1 — Offences under the law of Scotland
Offences under the law of Scotland L1 1 A person commits an offence under the law of Scotland if the person— a intentionally obstructs a relevant officer in the performance of functions under this…
Section M1 — Offences under the law of Northern Ireland
Offences under the law of Northern Ireland M1 1 A person commits an offence under the law of Northern Ireland if the person— a intentionally obstructs a relevant officer in the performance of…
Section 2 — Statement of right of abode in United Kingdom.
Statement of right of abode in United Kingdom. 2 1 A person is under this Act to have the right of abode in the United Kingdom if— a he is a British citizen; or b he is a Commonwealth citizen who— i…
Section 2A — Deprivation of right of abode
Deprivation of right of abode 2A 1 The Secretary of State may by order remove from a specified person a right of abode in the United Kingdom which he has under section 2(1)(b). 2 The Secretary of…
Section 3 — General provisions for regulation and control.
General provisions for regulation and control. 3 1 Except as otherwise provided by or under this Act, where a person is not a British citizen — a he shall not enter the United Kingdom unless given…
Section 3A — Further provision as to leave to enter.
Further provision as to leave to enter. 3A 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…
Section 3ZA — Irish citizens
Irish citizens 3ZA 1 An Irish citizen does not require leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, unless subsection (2), (3) or (4) applies to that citizen. 2 This subsection applies to an Irish…
Section 3B — Further provision as to leave to remain.
Further provision as to leave to remain. 3B 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…
Section 3C — Continuation of leave pending variation decision
Continuation of leave pending variation decision 3C 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 for…
Section 3D — Continuation of leave following revocation
Continuation of leave following revocation 3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 4 — Administration of control.
Administration of control. 4 1 The power under this Act to give or refuse leave to enter the United Kingdom shall be exercised by immigration officers, and the power to give leave to remain in the…
Section 5 — Procedure for, and further provisions as to, deportation.
Procedure for, and further provisions as to, deportation. 5 1 Where a person is under section 3(5) or (6) above liable to deportation, then subject to the following provisions of this Act the…
Section 6 — Recommendations by court for deportation.
Recommendations by court for deportation. 6 1 Where under section 3(6) above a person convicted of an offence is liable to deportation on the recommendation of a court, he may be recommended for…
Section 7 — Exemption from deportation for certain existing residents.
Exemption from deportation for certain existing residents. 7 1 Notwithstanding anything in section 3(5) or (6) above but subject to the provisions of this section, a Commonwealth citizen or citizen…
Section 8 — Exceptions for seamen, aircrews and other special cases.
Exceptions for seamen, aircrews and other special cases. 8 1 Where a person arrives at a place in the United Kingdom as a member of the crew of a ship or aircraft under an engagement requiring him to…
Section 8A — Persons ceasing to be exempt.
Persons ceasing to be exempt. 8A 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…
Section 8AA — Persons ineligible for leave to enter and remain, entry clearance and ETA
Persons ineligible for leave to enter and remain, entry clearance and ETA 8AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 8B — Persons excluded from the United Kingdom under certain instruments .
Persons excluded from the United Kingdom under certain instruments . 8B 1 An excluded person must be refused— a leave to enter the United Kingdom; b leave to remain in the United Kingdom (and any…
Section 9 — Further provisions as to common travel area.
Further provisions as to common travel area. 9 1 Subject to subsection (5) below, the provisions of Schedule 4 to this Act shall have effect for the purpose of taking account in the United Kingdom of…
Section 10 — Entry otherwise than by sea or air.
Entry otherwise than by sea or air. 10 1 Her Majesty may by Order in Council direct that any of the provisions of this Act shall have effect in relation to persons entering or seeking to enter the…
Section 11 — Construction of references to entry, and other phrases relating to travel.
Construction of references to entry, and other phrases relating to travel. 11 1 A person arriving in the United Kingdom by ship or aircraft shall for purposes of this Act be deemed not to enter the…
Section 11A — Working in United Kingdom waters
Working in United Kingdom waters 11A 1 An “offshore worker” is a person who arrives in United Kingdom waters— a for the purpose of undertaking work in those waters, and b without first entering the…
Section 11B — Offshore workers: requirements to notify arrival and entry dates etc
Offshore workers: requirements to notify arrival and entry dates etc 11B 1 The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for and in connection with requiring— a an offshore worker, or b if…
Section 11C — Electronic travel authorisations
Electronic travel authorisations 11C 1 In this Act, “ an ETA ” means an authorisation in electronic form to travel to the United Kingdom. 2 Immigration rules may require an individual of a…
Section 11D — Electronic travel authorisations and the Islands
Electronic travel authorisations and the Islands 11D 1 The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the effects in the United Kingdom of the grant or refusal under the law of any of…
Section 12 — Immigration Appeal Tribunal and adjudicators.
Immigration Appeal Tribunal and adjudicators. 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 13 — Appeals against exclusion from United Kingdom.
Appeals against exclusion from United Kingdom. 13 1 Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, a person who is refused leave to enter the United Kingdom under this Act may appeal to an…
Section 14 — Appeals against conditions.
Appeals against conditions. 14 1 Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, a person who has a limited leave under this Act to enter or remain in the United Kingdom may appeal to an…
Section 15 — Appeals in respect of deportation orders.
Appeals in respect of deportation orders. 15 1 Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, a person may appeal to an adjudicator against— a a decision of the Secretary of State to make a…
Section 16 — Appeals against validity of directions for removal.
Appeals against validity of directions for removal. 16 1 Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, where directions are given under this Act for a person’s removal from the United Kingdom…
Section 17 — Appeals against removal on objection to destination.
Appeals against removal on objection to destination. 17 1 Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, where directions are given under this Act for a person’s removal from the United Kingdom…
Section 18 — Notice of matters in respect of which there are rights of appeal.
Notice of matters in respect of which there are rights of appeal. 18 1 The Secretary of State may by regulations provide— a for written notice to be given to a person of any such decision or action…
Section 19 — Determination of appeals by adjudicators.
Determination of appeals by adjudicators. 19 1 Subject to sections 13(4) and 16(4) above, and to any restriction on the grounds of appeal, an adjudicator on an appeal to him under this Part of this…
Section 20 — Appeal to Tribunal from determination of adjudicator.
Appeal to Tribunal from determination of adjudicator. 20 1 Subject to any requirement of rules of procedure as to leave to appeal, any party to an appeal to an adjudicator may, if dissatisfied with…
Section 21 — Reference of cases for further consideration.
Reference of cases for further consideration. 21 1 Where in any case— a an adjudicator has dismissed an appeal, and there has been no further appeal to the Appeal Tribunal, or the Tribunal has…
Section 22 — Procedure.
Procedure. 22 1 The Lord Chancellor may make rules (in this Act referred to as “ rules of procedure ”)— a for regulating the exercise of the rights of appeal conferred by this Part of this Act; b for…
Section 23 — Financial support for organisations helping persons with rights of appeal.
Financial support for organisations helping persons with rights of appeal. 23 The Secretary of State may with the consent of the Treasury make grants to any voluntary organisation which provides…
Section 24 — Illegal entry and similar offences.
Illegal entry and similar offences. 24 A1 A person who knowingly enters the United Kingdom in breach of a deportation order commits an offence. B1 A person who— a requires leave to enter the United…