Policy, law and enforcement
The Home Office is the government department with responsibility for immigration.
UK Visas and Immigration is part of the Home Office. Its civil servants have responsibilities that include:
- devising immigration policy in line with government priorities
- ensuring that the Immigration Rules and other legislation correctly implement the government's policy intentions
- writing guidance for staff and for applicants that explains the requirements of the law
- making decisions on immigration applications made abroad (by entry clearance officers) and in the UK (by caseworkers)
- reviewing and overturning incorrect decisions on immigration applications
Border Force is a law enforcement command within the Home Office that carries out immigration and customs controls for people and goods entering the UK. Border force officers check the immigration status of people as they arrive in the UK and have the power to grant immigration permission (also called leave) to some people as they enter the UK.
Immigration Enforcement has responsibility for investigating immigration offences, detaining and removing people who require but do not have permission to be in the UK, and preventing abuse of the immigration system.
