UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office, has run the visa system since 2013; after Brexit, it took on the further responsibility of processing visa, protection and British citizenship applications.

Overview

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the division of the Home Office responsible for the United Kingdom’s visa system. It was created in 2013 out of the part of the UK Border Agency that had run the visa system.

History

The then Home Secretary, Theresa May, announced the abolition of the UK Border Agency on 26 March 2013, with the intention of bringing its work back into the Home Office.

Its status as an independent executive agency was removed and the agency was split internally, with one division responsible for the visa system and the other for immigration enforcement. Mrs May argued that the UKBA had a “closed, secretive and defensive culture” that had contributed to an enormous backlog.

The intention behind the split was to distribute cases more evenly in a way that would deliver “high-quality decisions”. The responsible minister was the Minister of State for Immigration.

Sarah Rapson, Registrar General for England and Wales, was appointed interim director general of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Her appointment was made permanent on 5 March 2014. Marc Owen, formerly senior director of national and international operations, is the current director responsible for visas and citizenship.

Role

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) runs the UK visa system, handling applications from foreign nationals wishing to visit or work in the United Kingdom, and also considering applications from businesses and educational institutions wishing to become sponsors of foreign nationals.

The department also considers applications from foreign nationals seeking protection or British citizenship, and handles appeals from those refused a visa.

The role of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) expanded after Brexit. In January 2021 the United Kingdom introduced a new points-based immigration system, and EU, EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the United Kingdom had to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme in order to continue living in the United Kingdom after the Brexit transition period.

Offices

As at 2017, UKVI occupied 9 buildings across the country.

The headquarters of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is in South London at Lunar House. Other immigration offices, such as the Public Enquiry Office, are also located there.

• Belfast
• Cardiff
• Croydon, London
• Glasgow
• Leeds
• Liverpool
• Sheffield
• Solihull