GOV.UK
Heads of UKVI and HM Passport Office confirmed
Sarah Rapson has been confirmed as the UKVI’s Director General, while Paul Pugh has been appointed as HM Passport Office's Chief Executive.
UK Visas and Immigration
Frauds, tricks and scams
How to protect yourself from scammers and fraudsters pretending to be the Home Office.
CIFAS named for bank account controls role
The government has named CIFAS as the anti-fraud body likely to oversee proposed bank account controls set out in the Immigration Bill.
Applying for a visa from outside the UK: changes to visa centres
Where you go to apply for a UK visa may be changing. There will be changes in the following countries between 3 March to 16 March 2014.
UK electronic visa waiver introduced for Oman, Qatar and UAE
From 1 January 2014 passport holders of Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates can visit the UK for up to 6 months with an electronic visa waiver.
Latest
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Immigration (places of detention) direction 2014
- published 12 March 2014
- Policy paper
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Guidance on how adopted children can become British
- published 12 March 2014
- Guidance
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Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC1130, 10 March 2014
- published 10 March 2014
- Policy paper
What we do
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) runs the UK’s services for visas and asylum seekers, and grants or refuses applications for British citizenship.
Who we are
We have a workforce of 7,500 people based in locations around the UK and overseas. Our staff work on high volume services and more specialist casework. We are led by Sarah Rapson.
Our responsibilities
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to run the UK’s visa service, managing around 3 million applications a year from overseas nationals who wish to come to the UK to visit, study or work
- to consider applications for British citizenship from overseas nationals who wish to settle here permanently
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to run the UK’s asylum service offering protection to those eligible under the 1951 Geneva Convention
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to decide applications from employers and educational establishments who want to join the register of sponsors or gain highly trusted sponsor status
- to manage appeals from unsuccessful applicants
Our priorities
Our current priority is to be recognised as a globally trusted operator, offering excellent customer service and secure decisions. We check our performance against published service standards.
We work on these topics
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Borders and immigration
The government is responsible for securing the UK's borders. We will deliver an improved migration system that commands public confidence and serves our economic interests. We believe that improving migration processes to reduce abuse and limiting non-EU economic migrancy will better serve Britain's interests and deliver a fair system. Read more
Our policies
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Securing borders and reducing immigration
Immigration enriches our culture and strengthens our economy and we want to attract people to study, work and invest in the UK.
Documents
Our announcements
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Applying for a visa from outside the UK: changes to visa centres
- 3 March 2014
- News story
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Advice services for asylum seekers and refugees: contract change
- 28 February 2014
- News story
Our consultations
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Fees and charging: immigration and visas consultation
- 30 January 2014
- Consultation outcome
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Tackling illegal immigration in privately rented accommodation
- 22 October 2013
- Consultation outcome
Our publications
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Immigration (places of detention) direction 2014
- 12 March 2014
- Policy paper
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Guidance on how adopted children can become British
- 12 March 2014
- Guidance
Our statistics
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Family returns process performance statistics
- 30 October 2013
- Statistics
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Percentage of MPs' letters responded to within service standards
- 15 October 2013
- Statistics
Our ministers
Our management
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Sarah Rapson
Director General, UK Visas and Immigration
Contact UKVI
General immigration enquiries
For UK based customers only.
Telephone 0300 123 2241
For enquiries about Immigration rules requirements for permission to stay and settlement in the UK.
Asylum support enquiries
For UK based customers only.
Telephone 0300 123 2235
For enquiries from supported asylum seekers in relation to their weekly cash support, accommodation or emergency cash payment requests.
Sponsorship and employer helpline
For UK based customers only.
Telephone 0300 1234699
For enquiries from employers about sponsorship under the points-based system and advice about the prevention of illegal working.
Enquiries from European citizens
For nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, or for members of an EEA or Swiss national's family.
Telephone 0300 123 2253
Reporting technical problems when applying online within the UK
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, excluding public holidays.
Contact the apply online e-support team to report technical problems:
* when applying for a visa online within the UK
* when submitting online application forms
* for problems with passwords, payment and refunds, and booking appointments
The apply online e-support team does not provide immigration advice, accept appointment bookings, or give information about the progress of your application.
All emails sent to this mailbox must include the applicant's name, date of birth, type of application or application reference number and address.
Make an FOI request
- Read about the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and how to make a request
- Check our previous releases to see if we’ve already answered your question
- Make a new request by contacting us at:
Corporate information
Jobs and contracts
Find out About our services.