United Kingdom Border Security

Current rules

Individuals on immigration bail should complete a biodata form before attending their appointment at their reporting centre. The form requests information including family details, educational history, and past employment. Immigration officers may also ask individuals to complete the form at the reporting centre.

Overview

This guidance outlines mandatory requirements and general guidance for prison and probation staff managing Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) released into England and Wales on licence or detained in Immigration Detention. It combines two previous policies, details data sharing with Home Office Immigration Enforcement, accommodation options, risk assessment responsibilities, and licence production.

What changed in the latest version

This update makes the collection of personal information standard for people on immigration bail. This means authorities will have full personal details ready. For people on bail, this adds a new step. They must get ready before their scheduled reporting. Understanding this rule helps people make their reporting process smoother. It can also help them avoid delays or more requests for information during their appointments.

Explained simply

If you're out on immigration bail, the government now wants you to fill out a special form called a 'biodata form' before you go to your regular check-in meetings. This form asks for details like your family, where you went to school, and any jobs you've had. You need to do this before you go, but if you forget, they might make you fill it out when you get there.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v5Effective 19 Aug 2026EffectiveMedium impact
   UK Immigration Bail: Biodata Form Requirement for Reporting Centre Appointments

   UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has changed its advice for people on immigration bail. They should now complete a biodata form before going to their reporting centre appointments. This new advice was published on 19 August 2026. The form will ask for personal details, including family information, school history, and job history. People should complete the form before their appointment. An immigration officer may also ask them to complete the form at the reporting centre.

2. v4Effective 17 Aug 2026EffectiveMedium impact
   Interim Operational Instruction 07/2026 Issued for Age-Disputed Individuals in UK Immigration Detention

   UK Visas and Immigration has updated its guide. This guide is called 'Care and management of post detention age claims'. It is mainly for Home Office staff in places where people are held for immigration reasons. The latest update came out on 17 August 2026. It adds 'Interim operational instruction 07/2026'. This instruction covers how to care for and manage people whose age is not certain, who are held in immigration detention. Before this, on 7 February 2022, the guide changed how it decided if someone claiming to be a child should be treated as an adult. This decision was based on how they looked and acted. This new policy specifically changes how to handle people who say they are under 18 years old while in immigration detention.

3. v3Effective 20 Aug 2026EffectiveMedium impact
   UK Immigration Enforcement Caseworker Guidance Updated: Powers and Operational Procedures

   UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and Immigration Enforcement have updated the 'Powers and operational procedure: caseworker guidance'. This change took effect on 20 August 2026. The update adds new guidance called 'Post-incident procedures: in the event of death or serious injury'. This new guidance is for immigration staff who deal with enforcement matters in the UK. It adds to the current rules on how officers use their administrative and criminal powers. It expands how they must handle serious incidents.

Timeline

1. Announced

   19 Aug 2026

   The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has introduced a new requirement for individuals on immigration bail to complete a biodata form prior to attending scheduled appointments at reporting centres. This measure, effective 19 August 2026, ensures that essential personal, family, educational, and employment history details are provided in advance, streamlining the reporting process.

2. Takes effect

   19 Aug 2026

   Individuals on immigration bail should complete a biodata form before attending their appointment at their reporting centre. The form requests information including family details, educational history, and past employment. Immigration officers may also ask individuals to complete the form at the reporting centre.

3. Announced

   17 Aug 2026

   UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has published Interim Operational Instruction 07/2026, updating guidance for Home Office staff on managing age dispute cases within the immigration detention estate. This instruction outlines the process for dealing with individuals claiming to be under 18, focusing on their care and management during age assessments. It applies to immigration detention facilities i

4. Takes effect

   17 Aug 2026

   The guidance for Home Office staff in immigration detention for managing individuals claiming to be under 18 has been updated to include Interim operational instruction 07/2026. This instruction specifically relates to the care and management of age-disputed individuals in immigration detention. Additionally, there was a change in the threshold for assessing someone claiming to be a child as an ad

5. Takes effect

   12 Aug 2026

   The guidance on the right to rent scheme: permission to rent has been updated. A full list of changes can be found in the guide.

6. Announced

   24 Mar 2016

   The UK Home Office has updated its caseworker guidance for immigration enforcement, effective 12 August 2026. This comprehensive update details the administrative and criminal powers available to immigration officers, notably incorporating new guidance on the seizure of electronic devices under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025.