Policy paper

2010 to 2015 government policy: immigration and borders

Updated 8 May 2015

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

This is a copy of a document that stated a policy of the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government. The previous URL of this page was https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/securing-borders-and-reducing-immigration. Current policies can be found at the GOV.UK policies list.

Issue

Immigration enriches our culture and strengthens our economy and therefore we want to attract people to study, work and invest in the UK.

We want to simplify and improve immigration policy and law and policy to make sure the UK has an internationally competitive visa system and an efficient and effective enforcement operation.

Actions

We work to control immigration by:

• carrying out immigration and customs checks to protect the UK border
• efficiently processing applications for permission to enter and stay in the UK, and applications to become a British citizen
• controlling migration to limit non-EU economic migrants and minimise abuse of all migration routes

In 2013, the UK Border Agency was closed and its functions brought back into the Home Office.

Background

Research

The Home Office produces research and statistics on migration.

National statistics on migration are also published by the Office for National Statistics.

National and EU policy development on asylum and migration is informed by the UK European Migration Network’s (EMN), and Eurostat’s research. The EMN is made up of teams (or national contact points) from every EU member state.

Bills and legislation

The Immigration Bill was announced on 8 May 2013 in the Queen’s Speech. The bill is expected to be passed in March 2014. It will reform the removals and appeals system, making it easier and quicker to remove those with no right to be in the UK.

The immigration rules describe the entry requirements and laws for staying in the UK.

Appendix 1: controlling migration

This was a supporting detail page of the main policy document.

UK Visas and Immigration, a part of the Home Office, implements immigration controls and rules to protect the UK’s border, while still ensuring the best migrants are attracted to the UK.

Rules are developed for different categories such as:

• tourists
• students
• entrepreneurs
• people who want to work in the UK

You can check the Immigration Rules.

Appendix 2: carrying out immigration and customs checks to protect the UK border

This was a supporting detail page of the main policy document.

Border Force is the part of the Home Office responsible for carrying out immigration controls and customs checks at the border.

We carry out UK border control operations at air and sea ports, the channel tunnel and international rail stations. We:

• check the immigration status of people arriving in and leaving the UK
• search baggage, vehicles and cargo for illegal goods, or illegal immigrants
• gather intelligence and alert the police and security services to people of interest

Information about what we’re doing to protect airports, cargo and passengers is available in our policy on managing the risk to transport networks from terrorism and other crimes.

Appendix 3: dealing with applications to enter or stay in the UK

This was a supporting detail page of the main policy document.

Applications for permission to stay or visit the UK are considered and processed by UK Visas and Immigration.

Applying for a visa

People who do not have a UK passport who wish to visit or travel through the UK may need to apply for a visa.

Find out which visa you need to enter the UK.

European nationals

If you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or a Swiss national you have the right to live and work in the UK (known as the ‘right of residence’) if:

• you are working here (and have obtained our permission to work, if this is required)
• you can support yourself and your family in the UK without becoming an unreasonable burden on public funds

You can read more about proving your right to live in the UK as an EU citizen.

Becoming a British citizen

Further information about the criteria for becoming a British citizen is available in the becoming a British citizen guide.

Applications for asylum

We are going to improve the current asylum system to speed up the processing of applications.

Statistics

Statistics on migration are available.

The European Migration Network and Eurostat websites also publish migration statistics.