OpenLegislation

Immigration Act 1971 in Wales

1971 c. 77 · Enacted 28 October 1971 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 28 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 5 January 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 10(1)words repealedImmigration and Asylum Act 1999 Sch. 14 para. 47(2) Sch. 16
s. 10(1A)(1B)insertedImmigration and Asylum Act 1999 Sch. 14 para. 47(3)
s. 10(2)words substitutedImmigration and Asylum Act 1999 Sch. 14 para. 47(4)
s. 11(1)words insertedImmigration and Asylum Act 1999 Sch. 14 para. 48
Sch. 2 para. 27B(4A)insertedAsylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc. ) Act 2004 s. 16
ActappliedCriminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 s. 133(7) (8)
s. 24C-24FinsertedImmigration Act 2016 s. 44(2)
s. 26A(1)(b)(ii)omittedImmigration Act 2016 Sch. 11 para. 2(a)
s. 26A(1)(b)(ia)insertedImmigration Act 2016 Sch. 11 para. 25
s. 26A(1)(b)(i)words substitutedImmigration Act 2016 Sch. 11 para. 32(2)
s. 26A(2)words substitutedImmigration Act 2016 Sch. 11 para. 32(3)
s. 28A(3)(a)word insertedImmigration Act 2016 s. 44(3)
s. 28CA(1)(bb)substituted for word in s. 28CA(1)(b)Immigration Act 2016 s. 44(5)
s. 28D(4)word insertedImmigration Act 2016 s. 44(6)
Sch. 2 para. 26(4)insertedImmigration Act 2016 s. 74(1)
Sch. 2 Pt. 1AinsertedImmigration Act 2016 Sch. 13
s. 28B(5)word insertedImmigration Act 2016 s. 44(4)
s. 36power extendedEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 s. 42(4)
s. 11(1)appliedIllegal Migration Act 2023 s. 2(10)
s. 24(1)(fa)insertedIllegal Migration Act 2023 s. 10(2)
s. 27(1)(aa)insertedIllegal Migration Act 2023 s. 10(3)(a)
s. 27(1)(ba)insertedIllegal Migration Act 2023 s. 10(3)(b)
Sch. 2 para. 17AappliedIllegal Migration Act 2023 s. 8(14)
Sch. 2 para. 11AinsertedIllegal Migration Act 2023 s. 10(4)
Sch. 2 para. 16 cross-headingwords insertedIllegal Migration Act 2023 s. 11(3)
Sch. 2excluded in part by 2002 c. 41, s. 62(3A) (as inserted)Illegal Migration Act 2023 s. 11(8)
s. 11Cmodified by S.I. 2008/680, Sch. 3 para. 18A (as inserted)Immigration (Isle of Man) 2025 art. 7
s. 11Dmodified by S.I. 2008/680, Sch. 3 para. 18B (as inserted)Immigration (Isle of Man) 2025 art. 7

I1C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10An Act to amend and replace the present immigration laws, to make certain related changes in the citizenship law and enable help to be given to those wishing to return abroad, and for purposes connected therewith.

[28th October 1971]C11C12C13C14

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act amended by Immigration Act 1988 (c. 14, SIF 62), s. 7(3)

Act amended (2.10.2000) by S.I. 2000/2326, reg. 8 (with regs. 9, 28) (which S.I. was revoked (with saving) (30.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/1003, reg. 31, Sch. 3 (with Sch. 4))

Act amended (2.10.2000) by 1999 c. 33, s. 59; S.I. 2000/2444, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 2)

Act amended (2.10.2000) by 1999 c. 33, s. 65(1); S.I. 2000/2444, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 2)

Act amended (2.10.2000) by 1999 c. 33, ss. 69, 70; S.I. 2000/2444, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 2)

C2

Act excluded (10.6.1991) by Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990 (c. 5, SIF 39:1), s. 6(6); S.I. 1991/1072, art. 2, Sch. Pt. I

C3

Act modified (10.6.1991) by Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990 (c. 5, SIF 39:1), s. 6(6)(a); S.I. 1991/1072, art. 2, Sch. Pt. I

Act modified (7.7.2000) by S.S.I. 2000/200, art. 2(3)

Act modified (2.10.2000) by S.I. 2000/2326, regs. 24(2), 25(2) (with regs. 9, 28) (which S.I. was revoked (with saving) (30.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/1003, reg. 31, Sch. 3 (with Sch. 4))

Act modified (1.9.2001) by 2001 c. 17, s. 32(7) (with ss. 27(3), 39, 78); S.I. 2001/2161, art. 2

Act modified (18.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2590, art. 4(2)

Act modified (25.2.2002) by S.I. 2002/195, reg. 2(3)

Act modified (30.4.2006) by The Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1003), reg. 30, Sch. 2 paras. 1, 2

C4

Act restricted (20.7.1994) by Immigration Act 1988 (c. 14, SIF 62), s. 7(1); S.I. 1994/1923, art. 2

Act restricted (2.10.2000) by S.I. 2000/2326, reg. 14 (with regs. 9, 28) (as amended (1.6.2002) by S.I. 2002/1241 reg. 2(3), Sch. para. 8) (S.I. 2000/2326 was revoked (with saving) (30.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/1003, reg. 31, Sch. 3 (with Sch. 4))

C5

Act extended (with modifications) by S.I. 1994/1405, art. 7 (the amendment coming into force in accordance with art. 1 of the amending S.I.) (as amended (2.1.2008) by S.I. 2007/3579, art. 3(c)); and as further amended (16.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/856, arts. 1, 6

C6

Act extended (with modifications) (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Juxtaposed Controls) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/2818), art. 11(1)(a), Sch. 2 para. 1 (as amended (31.3.2021) by The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Juxtaposed Controls) (Amendment) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/311), arts. 1(2), 2(7)(a))

C7

Act: power to amend conferred (10.2.2003 for certain purposes) by 1999 c. 33, s. 53; S.I. 2003/2, art. 2, Sch.

C8

Act applied (with modifications) (1.4.2006) by The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Application and Modification of Certain Enactments to Designated Staff of SOCA) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/987), art. 6, Sch. 2

C9

Act applied (1.8.2008 for certain purposes) by UK Borders Act 2007 (c. 30), ss. 36(4), 59; S.I. 2008/1818, art. 2(a), Sch.

C10

Act applied (prosp.) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 133(7)(8), 153(7) (with Sch. 27 para. 36)

C11

Act applied (with modifications) (4.8.2014) by The Crime and Courts Act 2013 (Application and Modification of Certain Enactments) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1704), art. 7, Sch. 2

C12

Act extended in part (Jersey) (with modifications) (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(1) of the amending S.I.) by The Immigration (Jersey) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1281), art. 3, Sch. 1, Sch. 1A (with art. 16)

C13

Act: power to amend conferred (28.4.2022 for specified purposes, 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (c. 36), ss. 82(1)(2)(a)(3)-(6), 87(1)(4)(i); S.I. 2022/590, regs. 1(2), 2, Sch. 1 para. 29

C14

Act excluded (25.4.2024) by Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 (c. 8), ss. 2(5)(a), 5, 10(1) (with ss. 4, 10(2))

Commencement

I1

Act partly in force at Royal Assent see ss. 34(1), 35(1)-(3); Act wholly in force at 1 January 1973.

Contents

  1. Part I: Regulation of Entry into and Stay in United Kingdom
  2. 1General principles.
  3. 2Statement of right of abode in United Kingdom.
  4. 2ADeprivation of right of abode
  5. 3General provisions for regulation and control.
  6. 3ZAIrish citizens
  7. 3AFurther provision as to leave to enter.
  8. 3BFurther provision as to leave to remain.
  9. 3CContinuation of leave pending variation decision
  10. 3DContinuation of leave following revocation Repealed
  11. 4Administration of control.
  12. 5Procedure for, and further provisions as to, deportation.
  13. 6Recommendations by court for deportation.
  14. 7Exemption from deportation for certain existing residents.
  15. 8Exceptions for seamen, aircrews and other special cases.
  16. 8APersons ceasing to be exempt.
  17. 8AAPersons ineligible for leave to enter and remain, entry clearance and ETA Repealed
  18. 8BPersons excluded from the United Kingdom under certain instruments.
  19. 9Further provisions as to common travel area.
  20. 10Entry otherwise than by sea or air.
  21. 11Construction of references to entry, and other phrases relating to travel.
  22. 11AWorking in United Kingdom waters
  23. 11BOffshore workers: requirements to notify arrival and entry dates etc
  24. Part 1A: Electronic travel authorisations
  25. 11CElectronic travel authorisations
  26. 11DElectronic travel authorisations and the Islands
  27. Part II: Appeals
  28. The appellate authorities
  29. 12Immigration Appeal Tribunal and adjudicators. Repealed
  30. Appeals to adjudicator or Tribunal in first instance
  31. 13Appeals against exclusion from United Kingdom.
  32. 14Appeals against conditions.
  33. 15Appeals in respect of deportation orders.
  34. 16Appeals against validity of directions for removal.
  35. 17Appeals against removal on objection to destination.
  36. 18Notice of matters in respect of which there are rights of appeal.
  37. 19Determination of appeals by adjudicators.
  38. Appeals from adjudicator to Tribunal, and review of decisions
  39. 20Appeal to Tribunal from determination of adjudicator.
  40. 21Reference of cases for further consideration.
  41. Supplementary
  42. 22Procedure.
  43. 23Financial support for organisations helping persons with rights of appeal.
  44. Part III: Criminal Proceedings
  45. 24Illegal entry and similar offences.
  46. 24ADeception.
  47. 24BIllegal working
  48. 25Assisting unlawful immigration to member State or the United Kingdom
  49. 25AHelping asylum-seeker to enter United Kingdom
  50. 25BAssisting entry to United Kingdom in breach of deportation or exclusion order Repealed
  51. 25BAFacilitation offences: application to rescuers
  52. 25BBFacilitation offences: defences relating to stowaways
  53. 25CForfeiture of vehicle, ship or aircraft
  54. 25DDetention of ship, aircraft or vehicle
  55. 26General offences in connection with administration of Act.
  56. 26ARegistration card
  57. 26BPossession of immigration stamp
  58. 27Offences by persons connected with ships or aircraft or with ports.
  59. 28Proceedings.
  60. 28AArrest without warrant.
  61. 28AAArrest with warrant
  62. 28BSearch and arrest by warrant.
  63. 28CSearch and arrest without warrant.
  64. 28CABusiness premises: entry to arrest
  65. 28DEntry and search of premises.
  66. 28EEntry and search of premises following arrest.
  67. 28FEntry and search of premises following arrest under section 25, 25A, or 25B.
  68. 28FASearch for personnel records: warrant unnecessary
  69. 28FBSearch for personnel records: with warrant
  70. 28GSearching arrested persons.
  71. 28HSearching persons in police custody.
  72. 28ZIRetention of seized material
  73. 28ISeized material: access and copying.
  74. 28JSearch warrants: safeguards.
  75. 28KExecution of warrants.
  76. 28LInterpretation of Part III.
  77. Part 3A: Maritime enforcement
  78. 28LAEnforcement powers in relation to ships: United Kingdom
  79. 28MEnforcement powers in relation to ships: England and Wales
  80. 28NEnforcement powers in relation to ships: Scotland
  81. 28OEnforcement powers in relation to ships: Northern Ireland
  82. 28PHot pursuit of ships in United Kingdom waters
  83. 28PAPower to seize and dispose of ships etc.
  84. 28QInterpretation of Part 3A
  85. Part IV: Supplementary
  86. 29Contributions for expenses of persons returning abroad. Repealed
  87. 30Return of mental patients.
  88. 31Expenses.
  89. 31AProcedural requirements as to applications. Repealed
  90. 32General provisions as to Orders in Council, etc.
  91. 33Interpretation.
  92. 34Repeal, transitional and temporary.
  93. 35Commencement, and interim provisions.
  94. 36Power to extend to Islands.
  95. 37Short title and extent.
  96. Schedule 1Schedule 1
  97. Schedule 1A: Electronic monitoring conditions
  98. 1Paragraph 1
  99. 2Paragraph 2
  100. 3Paragraph 3
  101. 4Paragraph 4
  102. 5Paragraph 5
  103. Schedule 2: Administrative Provisions as to Control on Entry etc.
  104. Part I: General Provisions
  105. Immigration officers and medical inspectors
  106. 1Paragraph 1
  107. Examination by immigration officers, and medical examination
  108. 2Paragraph 2
  109. Examination of persons who arrive with continuing leave
  110. 2AParagraph 2A
  111. 3Paragraph 3
  112. Information and documents
  113. 4Paragraph 4
  114. 5Paragraph 5
  115. Designated persons
  116. 5AParagraph 5A
  117. Directions to carriers and operators of ports etc
  118. 5BParagraph 5B
  119. Notice of leave to enter or of refusal of leave
  120. 6Paragraph 6
  121. Power to require medical examination after entry
  122. 7Paragraph 7
  123. Removal of persons refused leave to enter and illegal entrants
  124. 8Paragraph 8
  125. 9Paragraph 9
  126. 10Paragraph 10
  127. 10AParagraph 10A
  128. 11Paragraph 11
  129. Seamen and aircrews
  130. 12Paragraph 12
  131. 13Paragraph 13
  132. 14Paragraph 14
  133. 15Paragraph 15
  134. Search of premises in connection with removal
  135. 15AParagraph 15A
  136. Detention of persons liable to examination or removal
  137. 16Paragraph 16
  138. 17Paragraph 17
  139. 17AParagraph 17A
  140. 18Paragraph 18
  141. 18AParagraph 18A
  142. 18BParagraph 18B
  143. 19Paragraph 19
  144. 20Paragraph 20
  145. Temporary admission or release of persons liable to detention
  146. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  147. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  148. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  149. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  150. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  151. Entry and search of premises
  152. 25AParagraph 25A
  153. Searching persons arrested by immigration officers
  154. 25BParagraph 25B
  155. Searching persons in police custody
  156. 25CParagraph 25C
  157. Entry of premises to search for driving licence
  158. 25CAParagraph 25CA
  159. Searching persons for driving licences
  160. 25CBParagraph 25CB
  161. Seizure and retention of driving licence
  162. 25CCParagraph 25CC
  163. Access and copying
  164. 25DParagraph 25D
  165. 25EParagraph 25E
  166. Supplementary duties of those connected with ships or aircraft or with ports
  167. 26Paragraph 26
  168. 27Paragraph 27
  169. Supplementary duties of the Concessionaires
  170. 27AParagraph 27A Repealed
  171. Passenger information
  172. 27BParagraph 27B
  173. 27BAParagraph 27BA
  174. 27BBParagraph 27BB
  175. Notification of non-EEA arrivals
  176. 27CParagraph 27C Repealed
  177. Part II: Effect of Appeals
  178. Stay on directions for removal
  179. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  180. Grant of bail pending appeal
  181. 29Paragraph 29 Repealed
  182. Restrictions on grant of bail
  183. 30Paragraph 30 Repealed
  184. Forfeiture of recognizances
  185. 31Paragraph 31 Repealed
  186. 32Paragraph 32 Repealed
  187. Arrest of appellants released on bail
  188. 33Paragraph 33 Repealed
  189. 33AParagraph 33A Repealed
  190. Grant of bail pending removal
  191. 34Paragraph 34 Repealed
  192. Schedule 3: Supplementary Provisions as to Deportation
  193. Removal of persons liable to deportation
  194. 1Paragraph 1
  195. Detention or control pending deportation
  196. 2Paragraph 2
  197. Effect of appeals
  198. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  199. Powers of courts pending deportation
  200. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  201. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  202. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  203. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  204. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  205. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  206. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  207. Schedule 4: Integration with United Kingdom Law of Immigration Law of Islands
  208. Leave to enter
  209. 1Paragraph 1
  210. 2Paragraph 2
  211. Deportation
  212. 3Paragraph 3
  213. Relevant person for purposes of paragraph 3
  214. 3AParagraph 3A
  215. Illegal entrants
  216. 4Paragraph 4
  217. Schedule 4A: Enforcement powers in relation to ships
  218. Part A1: United Kingdom
  219. A1Introductory
  220. B1Power to stop, board, divert and detain
  221. C1Power to search and obtain information
  222. D1Power of arrest and seizure
  223. E1Protective searches of persons
  224. F1Search for nationality documents
  225. G1Assistants
  226. H1Reasonable force
  227. I1Evidence of authority
  228. J1Protection of relevant officers
  229. K1Offences under the law of England and Wales
  230. L1Offences under the law of Scotland
  231. M1Offences under the law of Northern Ireland
  232. Part 1: England and Wales
  233. Introductory
  234. 1Paragraph 1
  235. Power to stop, board, divert and detain
  236. 2Paragraph 2
  237. Power to search and obtain information
  238. 3Paragraph 3
  239. Power of arrest and seizure
  240. 4Paragraph 4
  241. Protective searches of persons
  242. 5Paragraph 5
  243. Search for nationality documents
  244. 6Paragraph 6
  245. Assistants
  246. 7Paragraph 7
  247. Reasonable force
  248. 8Paragraph 8
  249. Evidence of authority
  250. 9Paragraph 9
  251. Protection of relevant officers
  252. 10Paragraph 10
  253. Offences
  254. 11Paragraph 11
  255. Part 2: Scotland
  256. Introductory
  257. 12Paragraph 12
  258. Power to stop, board, divert and detain
  259. 13Paragraph 13
  260. Power to search and obtain information
  261. 14Paragraph 14
  262. Power of arrest and seizure
  263. 15Paragraph 15
  264. Protective searches of persons
  265. 16Paragraph 16
  266. Search for nationality documents
  267. 17Paragraph 17
  268. Assistants
  269. 18Paragraph 18
  270. Reasonable force
  271. 19Paragraph 19
  272. Evidence of authority
  273. 20Paragraph 20
  274. Protection of relevant officers
  275. 21Paragraph 21
  276. Offences
  277. 22Paragraph 22
  278. Part 3: Northern Ireland
  279. Introductory
  280. 23Paragraph 23
  281. Power to stop, board, divert and detain
  282. 24Paragraph 24
  283. Power to search and obtain information
  284. 25Paragraph 25
  285. Power of arrest and seizure
  286. 26Paragraph 26
  287. Protective searches of persons
  288. 27Paragraph 27
  289. Search for nationality documents
  290. 28Paragraph 28
  291. Assistants
  292. 29Paragraph 29
  293. Reasonable force
  294. 30Paragraph 30
  295. Evidence of authority
  296. 31Paragraph 31
  297. Protection of relevant officers
  298. 32Paragraph 32
  299. Offences
  300. 33Paragraph 33
  301. Schedule 5: The Adjudicators and the Tribunal
  302. Part I: The Adjudicators
  303. 1Paragraph 1
  304. 2Paragraph 2
  305. 3Paragraph 3
  306. 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  307. 5Paragraph 5
  308. Part II: The Tribunal
  309. Members
  310. 6Paragraph 6
  311. 7Paragraph 7
  312. 8Paragraph 8
  313. 9Paragraph 9
  314. 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  315. Proceedings
  316. 11Paragraph 11
  317. 12Paragraph 12
  318. 13Paragraph 13
  319. 14Paragraph 14
  320. Part III: Staff and Expenses
  321. 15Paragraph 15
  322. 16Paragraph 16
  323. Schedule 6Repeals