UK Visas and Immigration


UK Visas and Immigration is a division of the Home Office responsible for the United Kingdom's visa system. It was formed in 2013 from the section of the UK Border Agency that had administered 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 that its work would be returned to the Home Office. The agency's executive agency status was removed, and internally it was split, with one division responsible for the visa system and the other for immigration enforcement. The responsible minister is the Minister of State for Immigration.
Sarah Rapson, the Registrar General for England and Wales, was appointed as interim Director General of UK Visas and Immigration. Her position was made permanent on 5 March 2014.

Role

UKVI operates the UK visa system, managing applications from foreign nationals seeking to visit or work in the UK, and also considers applications from businesses and educational institutions seeking to become sponsors for foreign nationals. It also considers applications from foreign nationals seeking protection or British citizenship.

Locations

UKVI is spread over nine buildings across the country.