immigration
n. The act of entering a country other than one’s native country with the intention of living there permanently. Immigration into the UK is subject to control under the Immigration Acts 1971 and 1988, as amended by the Immigration and Nationality Act 1999, the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, and the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. This control extends to all potential entrants except those to whom the legislation gives the right of abode in the UK (principally those holding British citizenship) and citizens of the Republic of Ireland. From 1 January 2021 nationals of EEA member states no longer have the automatic right to take up residence in the UK that they enjoyed while the UK was a member of the European Union. However, those EEA citizens who took up residence on or before 31 December 2020 and who applied for either “settlement” or “pre-settlement” status before 30 June 2021 retain the right to live in the UK.

With minor exceptions, a person subject to immigration control may not enter or remain in the UK except with leave, which may be granted either indefinitely or for a limited period; if leave is granted for a limited period, an immigrant is subject to further conditions (e.g. conditions restricting employment). The 1971 Act itself gave indefinite leave to stay to those not entitled to the right of abode but who were lawfully settled in the UK when it came into force. Whether or not leave is needed, whether it should be granted, and whether a time limit and any other conditions should be imposed are decided initially by immigration officers acting in accordance with immigration rules made by the Secretary of State. Appeals against the decisions of immigration officers are made to immigration adjudicators and thence to the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal (see also asylum). In the case of foreign nationals served with deportation orders because they are held to be a threat to national security, appeal is to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC).

Under the Immigration (see also asylum) (Carriers’ Liability) Act 1987, the owners of ships and aircraft are liable to pay a £2,000 fine in respect of any person who arrives in the UK on their ship or aircraft and who seeks leave to enter the UK without proper documents (e.g. passport or visa). This provision has since been extended to road hauliers. Under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 any employer who employs someone who has not been given leave to stay or work in the UK is liable to a civil penalty of up to £5,000 for each employee in breach. Employers must ask employees for evidence of their legal status, such as National Insurance documents, a passport, or a valid work permit; this request must be made in a way that does not breach racial discrimination legislation. The Immigration Act 2014 prevents illegal immigrants from obtaining bank accounts and driving licences, and provides for sanctions against private landlords who let property to people without legal status. The Immigration Act 2016 contains measures to prevent illegal migrants from accessing certain public services.

• unsworn statement
• uplift
• Upper Tribunal
• urine specimen
• usage
• use
• use and occupation
• use classes
• use of force
• user
• use upon a use
• usual covenants
• usufruct
• utilitarianism
• utility model
• uti possidetis
• utter Bar
• vacantia bona
• vacant possession
• vacations
• vaccine damage payment
• vagrant
• valuable consideration
• value
• value-added tax