Legislation – Immigration Act 2016

Immigration Act 2016, Section 46 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 22 December 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 46:

s. 51(4A)(4B) inserted by 2025 c. 31 s. 44(16)
s. 69(9)(d) and word inserted by 2023 c. 37 s. 21(2)(b)
Sch. 10 para. 3(2)(eza) inserted by 2023 c. 37 s. 13(3)(a)
Sch. 10 para. 3(3A)–(3C) inserted by 2023 c. 37 s. 13(3)(b)
Sch. 10 para. 3A and cross-heading inserted by 2023 c. 37 s. 13(4)
Sch. 10 para. 2(1)(ea)–(ec) inserted by 2025 c. 31 s. 46(4)
specified provision(s) amendment to earlier commencing S.I. 2017/1241, Sch. by S.I. 2018/31 reg. 2

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

s. 51(4A)(4B) inserted by 2025 c. 31 s. 44(16)
s. 69(9)(d) and word inserted by 2023 c. 37 s. 21(2)(b)
Sch. 10 para. 3(2)(eza) inserted by 2023 c. 37 s. 13(3)(a)
Sch. 10 para. 3(3A)–(3C) inserted by 2023 c. 37 s. 13(3)(b)
Sch. 10 para. 3A and cross-heading inserted by 2023 c. 37 s. 13(4)
Sch. 10 para. 2(1)(ea)–(ec) inserted by 2025 c. 31 s. 46(4)

PART 3Enforcement

Powers of immigration officers etc

46Powers in connection with examination, detention and removal

(1)

Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 (administrative provisions as to control on entry etc) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph 2(1) (examination by immigration officers) at the end of paragraph (c) insert“; and

(d)

whether, if he has been given leave which is still in force, his leave should be curtailed.”

(3)

After paragraph 15 insert—

“15ASearch of premises in connection with removal

(1)

This paragraph applies if—

(a)

an immigration officer is lawfully on any premises, and

(b)

a person who is liable to be detained under paragraph 16(2) is on the premises.

(2)

The immigration officer may search the premises for documents which—

(a)

relate to the person, and

(b)

may be evidence for a ground on which the person’s leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom may be curtailed.

(3)

The power may be exercised—

(a)

only if the immigration officer has reasonable grounds for believing there are documents within sub-paragraph (2) on the premises, and

(b)

only to the extent that it is reasonably required for the purpose of discovering such documents.

(4)

An immigration officer searching premises under this paragraph may seize any document the officer finds which the officer has reasonable grounds for believing is a document within sub-paragraph (2).

(5)

Sub-paragraph (6) applies where—

(a)

an immigration officer is searching premises under this paragraph, and

(b)

any document the officer has reasonable grounds for believing is a document within sub-paragraph (2) is stored in any electronic form and is accessible from the premises.

(6)

The immigration officer may require the document to be produced in a form in which it can be taken away and in which it is visible and legible or from which it can readily be produced in a visible and legible form.

(7)

If a requirement under sub-paragraph (6) is not complied with or a document to which that sub-paragraph applies cannot be produced in a form of the kind mentioned in that sub-paragraph, the immigration officer may seize the device or medium on which it is stored.

(8)

But sub-paragraphs (4) to (7) do not apply to a document which the immigration officer has reasonable grounds for believing is an item subject to legal privilege.

(9)

An immigration officer may retain a document seized under this paragraph while—

(a)

the person to whom the document relates is liable to be detained under paragraph 16(2), and

(b)

the document falls within sub-paragraph (2)(b).

(10)

But a document may not be retained for the purpose mentioned in sub-paragraph (9) if a photograph or copy would be sufficient for that purpose.”

(4)

In paragraph 25A (entry and search of premises where person arrested or detained under Schedule 2)—

(a)

after sub-paragraph (7) insert—

“(7A)

Sub-paragraph (7B) applies where—

(a)

an officer is searching premises under this paragraph, and

(b)

any document the officer has reasonable grounds for believing is a relevant document is stored in any electronic form and is accessible from the premises.

(7B)

The officer may require the document to be produced in a form in which it can be taken away and in which it is visible and legible or from which it can readily be produced in a visible and legible form.

(7C)

If a requirement under sub-paragraph (7B) is not complied with or a document to which that sub-paragraph applies cannot be produced in a form of the kind mentioned in that sub-paragraph, the officer may seize the device or medium on which it is stored.”,

(b)

in sub-paragraph (8) for “sub-paragraph (7)(a) does” substitute “
sub-paragraphs (7) to (7C) do
”, and

(c)

in sub-paragraph (8A) for “sub-paragraph (7)” substitute “
this paragraph
”.

(5)

In paragraph 25B (search of person arrested under Schedule 2) after sub-paragraph (8) insert—

“(8A)

Sub-paragraph (8B) applies where—

(a)

an officer is searching a person under this paragraph, and

(b)

any document the officer has reasonable grounds for believing is a document within sub-paragraph (3)(b) is stored in any electronic form on a device or medium found on the person.

(8B)

The officer may require the document to be produced in a form in which it can be taken away and in which it is visible and legible or from which it can readily be produced in a visible and legible form.

(8C)

If a requirement under sub-paragraph (8B) is not complied with or a document to which that sub-paragraph applies cannot be produced in a form of the kind mentioned in that sub-paragraph, the officer may seize the device or medium on which it is stored.

(8D)

Sub-paragraphs (8B) and (8C) do not apply to a document which the officer has reasonable grounds for believing is an item subject to legal privilege.”