The Immigration (Biometric Registration) Regulations 2008

[^key-941c1bc04731c49c3be8fe6962f127bb]: Word in reg. 23(4)(b) substituted (1.7.2021) by The Immigration (Collection, Use and Retention of Biometric Information and Related Amendments) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/772), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(13)

[^key-290f29cae9ec14cd926261938c475041]: Reg. 16A inserted (1.7.2021) by The Immigration (Collection, Use and Retention of Biometric Information and Related Amendments) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/772), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(9)

[^key-49bd26d5e44eae3171e094f390392e2a]: Reg. 22A inserted (1.7.2021) by The Immigration (Collection, Use and Retention of Biometric Information and Related Amendments) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/772), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(12)

[^key-cc4b9feb401f66307b76195dc8360961]: Words in reg. 2 substituted (28.6.2022) by The Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/571), regs. 1(2), 3(2)

[^key-1659c7fb36811900b915a31e9bddbf4f]: Words in reg. 2 inserted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 13(a)

[^key-725a05338a6a099ad12b60ea88604bc7]: Words in reg. 2 substituted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 13(b)

[^key-3f24d08f7b33c4398c67ddf806498418]: Reg. 3(2)(b) omitted (27.3.2025) by virtue of The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 14(a)(ii)

[^key-4a7574c21f09db9d981ef8b9e471ece5]: Word in reg. 3(2)(a) omitted (27.3.2025) by virtue of The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 14(a)(i)

[^key-caa60a8b3601407c7d00e7abb49a79d7]: Reg. 3(3) substituted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 14(b)

[^key-cd83605e0349c5df7db75b11fc0e29cc]: Word in reg. 3(2)(h) omitted (27.3.2025) by virtue of The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 14(a)(iii)

[^key-213502fcb7b1f9113b79a3a0afecfdd0]: Words in reg. 3A(2)(a)(i) omitted (27.3.2025) by virtue of The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 15(a)

[^key-b1b0b8141cc34f0f4bfd2e732ac9180e]: Reg. 3A(2)(a)(iv)(v) inserted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 15(d)

[^key-aa094ef236561c2a5c0f856651fe123f]: Reg. 3A(2)(a)(ii) omitted (27.3.2025) by virtue of The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 15(b)

[^key-d41c1c5753501aed7f6eeca36633e809]: Word in reg. 3A(2)(a)(iii) substituted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 15(c)

[^key-4e13fecd474402bd52b0b36b4f76c4f7]: Word in reg. 8(1) omitted (27.3.2025) by virtue of The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 16(a)

[^key-85a62e8a9d3a79881b845c470a940884]: Reg. 8(1)(e) inserted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 16(c)

[^key-39b9aad65e465aebdc9d29d105aa256f]: Word in reg. 8(1)(d) substituted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 16(b)

[^key-8ebed5acf756e5f9408b88a1a0225a58]: Reg. 11(2)(aa) inserted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 17

[^key-e0f415f304902264edcba0347d409487]: Reg. 13(1)(a) substituted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 18(a)(i)

[^key-22155600c2930428fa7d827b7d58170a]: Reg. 13(1)(b) omitted (27.3.2025) by virtue of The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 18(a)(ii)

[^key-4f6d0dcdd14b883b1574324b6ce2c6f8]: Reg. 13(1)(c) substituted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 18(a)(iii)

[^key-dfb8c7adfb3c4338a91ef49844f78cfc]: Words in reg. 13(2) inserted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 18(b)

[^key-8901f50a78ffe60d48a40bd2ea336bf3]: Reg. 13A(1) substituted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 19(a)

[^key-9baad172c708a0329c457ed47ff2456e]: Words in reg. 13A(4) inserted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 19(b)

[^key-2ef1bcdeec20959a626406a8a4bc9fe0]: Reg. 18 renumbered as reg. 18(1) (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 20(a)

[^key-bf7c07a40b06de81e81ccd6ceddf26dc]: Reg. 18(2) inserted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 20(c)

[^key-02b3c118b03eaedb21b0a8b7f052ff00]: Words in reg. 18(1)(e) substituted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 20(b)

[^key-8f26aa202d237f34fc05a561e2df1bf3]: Words in reg. 19(1) inserted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 21(a)(i)

[^key-ed675a1d29d5e91d7d34abbb3187046b]: Words in reg. 19(1) inserted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 21(a)(ii)

[^key-c28cd86d66487e2a622875aa8112ab11]: Words in reg. 19(2) substituted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 21(b)

[^key-11109a867e219f15665457f85b6e9755]: Reg. 23(2)(aa) inserted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 22(a)

[^key-2698baa05c586437739c408871cabb4d]: Reg. 23(7) inserted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 22(d)

[^key-69364c906ccd900c2f25d74feee7c213]: Words in reg. 23(3) substituted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 22(b)(i)

[^key-a1da1a73035520f697b13e60a113f0e6]: Word in reg. 23(3) substituted (27.3.2025) by The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 22(b)(ii)

[^key-4761c66a92bf45415d1c54f969642e98]: Word in reg. 23(4) omitted (27.3.2025) by virtue of The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 22(c)(i)

[^key-084d2e2c20188619485e99571091b8b1]: Words in reg. 23(4) omitted (27.3.2025) by virtue of The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/382), regs. 1(2), 22(c)(ii)

3A

• (1) A person who is subject to immigration control and satisfies the conditions in paragraph (2) must apply for the issue of a biometric immigration document.

• (2) The conditions are—

• (a) that the person makes an application—

• (i) for entry clearance, which, by virtue of provision made under section 3A(3) of the Immigration Act 1971, has effect as leave to enter the United Kingdom ...; or

• (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (iii) as the dependant of a person who is making an application in accordance with paragraph (i) ; or

• (iv) to replace a letter, stamp, sticker or other attachment in a passport or other document which indicated that the person has been granted leave to enter or remain with another document that indicates the same information; or

• (v) for leave to enter the United Kingdom where the person seeking leave to enter presents a Convention travel document endorsed with an entry clearance for that journey to the United Kingdom; and

• (b) the person specifies in that application that they will enrol their biometric information outside the United Kingdom.

• (3) Where a person is required to apply for a biometric immigration document, that application must be made on the form or in the manner specified for that purpose (if one is specified) in the immigration rules.

Process by which an individual’s fingerprints and photograph may be obtained and recorded

Destruction of biometric information

Retention of fingerprints

Destruction etc. of electronic data

Biometric information: retention under another power

12A

The requirements in these Regulations to destroy biometric information or data do not apply if and in so far as the information or data is retained in accordance with and for the purposes of another power.

Issue of a biometric immigration document

13A

• (1) The Secretary of State may issue a biometric immigration document to a person who has applied in accordance with regulation 3A and has been granted entry clearance, which, by virtue of provision made under section 3A(3) of the Immigration Act 1971, has effect as leave to enter the United Kingdom.

• (1A) The reference to the issue of a biometric immigration document in paragraph (1) includes allowing the person to view their biometric immigration document electronically.

• (2) Where an entry clearance is granted under paragraph (1) and the entry clearance officer issues a short term biometric entry clearance, the entry clearance officer must issue a written decision informing the applicant of the period of leave that their biometric immigration document will evidence and the process by which the applicant must obtain that document.

• (3) A successful applicant who travels to the United Kingdom must obtain their biometric immigration document within a period, and by a process, specified in the applicant’s written decision (issued under paragraph (2)).

• (4) A biometric immigration document issued under this regulation begins to have effect on the date of issue or if later, the date on which the entry clearance specified in an eVisa has effect.

• (5) A biometric immigration document issued under this regulation ceases to have effect on one of the dates specified in paragraph (6), whichever date occurs earliest.

• (6) The specified dates are—

• (a) the date that the person’s leave to enter or remain ceases to have effect, including where the leave is varied, cancelled or invalidated, or is to lapse;

• (b) in the case of a biometric card or biometric sticker which was issued to a person aged sixteen or over, the date after the expiry of ten years beginning with the date of issue;

• (c) in the case of a biometric card or biometric sticker which was issued to a person aged under sixteen, the date after the expiry of five years beginning with the date of issue; or

• (d) the expiry date printed on the biometric card or biometric sticker where issued to the person.

• (6A) Where the person is issued with a biometric card or biometric sticker, the information contained on that card or sticker is to be read subject to the information on the person’s biometric immigration document.

• (7) In this regulation—

• (a) “entry clearance officer” means a person responsible for the grant or refusal of entry clearance; and

• (b) “short term biometric entry clearance” means an entry clearance document which—

• (i) is issued to a person who has made a successful application for a biometric immigration document from outside the United Kingdom, in order that the person may travel to the United Kingdom to obtain that biometric immigration document; and

• (ii) has a period of validity ending before the expiry of the period of leave that the holder’s biometric immigration document will evidence.

Issue of a short term biometric immigration document

13B

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Requirement to surrender documents connected with immigration and nationality

Content of a biometric immigration document

Surrender of a biometric immigration document

Cancellation of a biometric immigration document

Requirement for the holder of a document to notify the Secretary of State

Requirement to apply for a replacement biometric immigration document

Application of these Regulations to a person who is required to apply for a replacement biometric immigration document

Requirement to use a biometric immigration document

Requirement to provide information for comparison

Consequences of a failure to comply with a requirement of these Regulations

Revocation and transitional provisions

SCHEDULE

COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES TO WHICH REGULATION 3A(2) APPLIES

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Surrender of a biometric card

Cancelling access to a biometric immigration document

16A

The Secretary of State may cancel access to a person’s biometric immigration document electronically if the Secretary of State thinks that—

• (a) the holder’s leave to enter or remain has been varied, cancelled or invalidated, or has lapsed; or

• (b) another person has gained access to the biometric immigration document without the consent of the holder or of the Secretary of State.

Cancellation of a biometric immigration document

Requirement for the holder of a document to notify the Secretary of State

Requirement to apply for a replacement biometric immigration document

Application of these Regulations to a person who is required to apply for a replacement biometric immigration document

Requirement to use a biometric immigration document

Requirement to provide information for comparison

Requirement to provide a new photograph

22A

• (1) This regulation applies where the holder of a biometric immigration document, other than in a case to which regulation 16A applies, satisfies an authorised person that they are unable to access their biometric immigration document electronically.

• (2) An authorised person may require the holder of the biometric immigration document to provide an additional photograph of the holder’s face to that provided on the application for the document.

Consequences of a failure to comply with a requirement of these Regulations

Revocation and transitional provisions