UK Act of Parliament
1971
United Kingdom
Immigration Act 1971
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
12 compliance obligations
Penalty landscape
2 of 12 obligations carry imprisonment (51 weeks). 4 carry different penalties and 6 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 7
- Operator 1
Plus 4 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Other Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Operators also bound by 730 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (Air Operations) 2012 138 duties
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066 of 19 December 2018 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 (Text with EEA relevance) 2018 121 duties
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 of 21 June 2012 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance) (repealed) 2012 112 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 75 duties
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (Text with EEA relevance) 2016 66 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1A — Electronic travel authorisations
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Electronic travel authorisations and the Islands
Part I — Regulation of Entry into and Stay in United Kingdom
Browse 22 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
General principles.
Statement of right of abode in United Kingdom.
Deprivation of right of abode
General provisions for regulation and control.
Further provision as to leave to enter.
Further provision as to leave to remain.
Continuation of leave pending variation decision
Continuation of leave following revocation
Irish citizens
Administration of control.
Procedure for, and further provisions as to, deportation.
Recommendations by court for deportation.
Exemption from deportation for certain existing residents.
Exceptions for seamen, aircrews and other special cases.
Persons ceasing to be exempt.
Persons ineligible for leave to enter and remain, entry clearance and ETA
Persons excluded from the United Kingdom under certain instruments.
Further provisions as to common travel area.
Entry otherwise than by sea or air.
Construction of references to entry, and other phrases relating to travel.
Working in United Kingdom waters
Offshore workers: requirements to notify arrival and entry dates etc
Part II — Appeals
Browse 12 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Immigration Appeal Tribunal and adjudicators.
Appeals against exclusion from United Kingdom.
Appeals against conditions.
Appeals in respect of deportation orders.
Appeals against validity of directions for removal.
Appeals against removal on objection to destination.
Notice of matters in respect of which there are rights of appeal.
Determination of appeals by adjudicators.
Appeal to Tribunal from determination of adjudicator.
Reference of cases for further consideration.
Procedure.
Financial support for organisations helping persons with rights of appeal.
Part 3A — Maritime enforcement
Browse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Enforcement powers in relation to ships: United Kingdom
Enforcement powers in relation to ships: England and Wales
Enforcement powers in relation to ships: Scotland
Enforcement powers in relation to ships: Northern Ireland
Hot pursuit of ships in United Kingdom waters
Power to seize and dispose of ships etc.
Interpretation of Part 3A
Part III — Criminal Proceedings
Browse 32 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Illegal entry and similar offences.
Deception.
Illegal working
Assisting unlawful immigration to member State or the United Kingdom
Helping asylum-seeker to enter United Kingdom
Assisting entry to United Kingdom in breach of deportation or exclusion order
Facilitation offences: application to rescuers
Facilitation offences: defences relating to stowaways
Forfeiture of vehicle, ship or aircraft
Detention of ship, aircraft or vehicle
General offences in connection with administration of Act.
Registration card
Possession of immigration stamp
Offences by persons connected with ships or aircraft or with ports.
Proceedings.
Arrest without warrant.
Arrest with warrant
Search and arrest by warrant.
Search and arrest without warrant.
Business premises: entry to arrest
Entry and search of premises.
Entry and search of premises following arrest.
Entry and search of premises following arrest under section 25, 25A, or 25B.
Search for personnel records: warrant unnecessary
Search for personnel records: with warrant
Searching arrested persons.
Searching persons in police custody.
Seized material: access and copying.
Search warrants: safeguards.
Execution of warrants.
Interpretation of Part III.
Retention of seized material
Part IV — Supplementary
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Contributions for expenses of persons returning abroad.
Return of mental patients.
Expenses.
Procedural requirements as to applications.
General provisions as to Orders in Council, etc.
Interpretation.
Repeal, transitional and temporary.
Commencement, and interim provisions.
Power to extend to Islands.
Short title and extent.
Schedules
(1) If a person showing himself— (a) to be the...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Immigration officers must provide records, access, and copies of seized material on request Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) This paragraph applies to ships or aircraft—
- Provide passenger and service information to immigration officers on request Operator
(1) It shall be the duty of any person examined...
- Cooperate with immigration examination and provide required documents and information Any Person
(1) A person commits an offence under the law of...
51 weeks imprisonment- Obstruct an immigration officer or give false information Any Person
(1) This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Relevant officer must give written notice when detaining a ship Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Relevant officers may stop, board and detain ships suspected of immigration offences Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) A person commits an offence under the law of...
12 months imprisonment- Obstruct or fail to comply with immigration officer (Scotland) Any Person
(1) This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Home Office must give written notice when detaining a ship suspected of immigration offences Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) A person commits an offence under the law of...
6 months imprisonment- Obstruct or fail to comply with immigration officer Any Person
Offences under the law of England and Wales
51 weeks imprisonment- Obstruct or give false info to immigration officer Any Person
Offences under the law of Scotland
12 months imprisonment- Obstruct an immigration officer or give false information Any Person
Offences under the law of Northern Ireland
6 months imprisonment- Obstruct or give false info to an immigration officer in NI Any Person
Browse 126 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
For the purposes of section 3(1)(c)(vi), an “ electronic monitoring...
The arrangements may in particular— (a) require P to wear...
If the arrangements require P to wear, or make specified...
An electronic monitoring condition may not be imposed on a...
In this Schedule “ specified ” means specified in the...
(1) Immigration officers for the purposes of this Act shall...
(1) Where it appears to the Secretary of State either—...
Where directions are given in respect of a person under...
A person in respect of whom directions are given under...
(1) If, on a person’s examination by an immigration officer...
(1) Where a person being a member of the crew...
(1) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that...
A person in respect of whom directions are given under...
(1) This paragraph applies if— (a) an immigration officer is...
(1) A person who may be required to submit to...
(1) A person liable to be detained under paragraph 16...
(1) A person liable to be detained under paragraph 16...
(1) Persons may be detained under paragraph 16 above in...
(1) An immigration officer or constable may search a person...
(1) Where a person detained under paragraph 16(2) is an...
(1) Where a person is refused leave to enter the...
(1) An immigration officer may examine any persons within sub-paragraph...
(1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, in either...
(1) A person liable to detention or detained under paragraph...
. . . . . . . . . ....
(1) Where a recognizance entered into under paragraph 22 above...
(1) An immigration officer or constable may arrest without warrant...
(1) Tribunal Procedure Rules must make provision with respect to...
(1) This paragraph applies if— (a) a person is arrested...
(1) This paragraph applies if a person is arrested under...
(1) This paragraph applies if a person—
(1) An authorised officer may exercise the powers in this...
(1) An authorised officer may exercise the powers in this...
(1) If an authorised officer who is exercising a power...
Section 28L applies for the purposes of this Schedule as...
(1) The owners or agents of a ship or aircraft...
(1) The captain of a ship or aircraft arriving in...
Administrative Provisions as to Control on Entry
(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations requiring responsible...
(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations imposing penalties...
Administrative Provisions as to Control on Entry
Administrative Provisions as to Control on Entry
(1) Where a person (in the following provisions of this...
(1) This paragraph applies to a person who has arrived...
(1) An immigration officer or designated person may examine any...
(1) An appellant shall not be released under paragraph 29...
(1) Where under paragraph 29 above (as it applies in...
Where under paragraph 29 above (as it applies in Scotland)...
(1) An immigration officer or constable may arrest without warrant...
(1) Tribunal Procedure Rules must make provision with respect to...
. . . . . . . . . ....
The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory...
(1) In this Schedule “ designated person ” means a...
(1) The Secretary of State may direct—
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, where a person examined...
(1) This paragraph applies if an immigration officer examining a...
(1) Where a person arriving in the United Kingdom is...
(1) Where an illegal entrant is not given leave to...
(1) Where a deportation order is in force against any...
Any justice of the peace or court before whom a...
(1) Where a recommendation for deportation made by a court...
So far as they relate to an appeal under section...
Where the release of a person recommended for deportation is...
(1) On an application made— (a) by or on behalf...
(1) In this Schedule “ the appropriate court ” means,...
(1) A constable or immigration officer may arrest without warrant...
(1) A person arrested in England or Wales in pursuance...
(1) A person arrested in Scotland in pursuance of paragraph...
(1) Where under the immigration laws of any of the...
Notwithstanding section 3(4) of this Act, leave given to a...
(1) This Act has effect in relation to a person...
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 3, a person is...
Notwithstanding anything in section 1(3) of this Act, it shall...
(1) This Part of this Schedule sets out the powers...
A relevant officer is not liable in any criminal or...
(1) This Part of this Schedule sets out the powers...
(1) This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable...
(1) This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable...
(1) The relevant officer may search a person found on...
(1) The relevant officer may require a person found on...
(1) A relevant officer may— (a) be accompanied by other...
A relevant officer may use reasonable force, if necessary, in...
A relevant officer must produce evidence of the officer's authority...
A relevant officer is not liable in any criminal or...
(1) This Part of this Schedule sets out the powers...
(1) This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable...
(1) This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable...
(1) The relevant officer may search a person found on...
(1) The relevant officer may require a person found on...
(1) A relevant officer may— (a) be accompanied by other...
(1) This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable...
A relevant officer may use reasonable force, if necessary, in...
A relevant officer must produce evidence of the officer's authority...
A relevant officer is not liable in any criminal or...
(1) This paragraph applies if a relevant officer has reasonable...
(1) A relevant officer may search a person found on...
(1) A relevant officer may require a person found on...
(1) A relevant officer may— (a) be accompanied by other...
A relevant officer may use reasonable force, if necessary, in...
A relevant officer must produce evidence of the officer's authority...
Introductory
Power to stop, board, divert and detain
Power to search and obtain information
Power of arrest and seizure
Protective searches of persons
Search for nationality documents
Assistants
Reasonable force
Evidence of authority
Protection of relevant officers
There shall be such number of adjudicators as the Lord...
The Adjudicators and the Tribunal
For the purpose of hearing and determining appeals under Part...
Subject to rules of procedure, the Tribunal shall be deemed...
The Lord Chancellor may appoint members of the Tribunal who...
The president or, in his absence, the member qualified as...
The Lord Chancellor may appoint such officers and servants for...
The remuneration of officers and servants appointed as aforesaid, and...
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraphAn adjudicator...
[(1)] The Lord Chancellor shall pay— (a) to the adjudicators,...
The Adjudicators and the Tribunal
The adjudicators shall sit at such times and in such...
The Tribunal shall consist of such number of members as...
The president and such number of the other members of...
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraphA member...
[(1)]The Lord Chancellor shall pay— (a) to the members of...
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Government department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order. Administers UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), issues sponsor licences for employers hiring …
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