Business Immigration Solicitors

The Home Office has announced plans to abolish landing cards given to passengers who arrive in the UK from outside the European Union.

An estimated 16 million travellers have to complete landing cards on board flights into the UK every year – landing cards have required them to provide basic information about themselves and their travel plans since 1971.

However, under proposals published on Saturday, the paper-based system – which costs the public around £3.6 million each year – will be replaced as part of Border Force’s ongoing digital transformation of border controls.

The withdrawal of landing cards will not result in the loss of any data that is used for security checks, said the Home Office. However, all passengers arriving from outside the EU will continue to be checked against police, security and immigration watch lists, which are used to verify the identity and confirm the status of every passenger arriving at UK airports.

Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said:

“We are modernising border technology to ensure Border Force staff stop dealing with outdated paperwork and can continue to focus on security and protecting the public.

“In addition, this change will improve the experience for arriving passengers, so they get an even better welcome when they land in the UK – the changes will also free up staff and enable Border Force to better deploy their resources.

“At the same time, the changes will improve the experience for travellers, as passengers will no longer need to fill out the paper cards while on board the flight or in queues at airports and ports – as a result, it is expected that queue lengths will be shortened and passenger flows improved, which has been welcomed by Heathrow Airport.”

The proposals are part of the Home Office’s ongoing transformation at the border, which the Home Office says is enhancing Border Force’s ability both to facilitate legitimate travel and ensure the security of the border.

This programme of work has already seen the introduction of 232 e-gates at 21 ports – and, since June, has also seen more than a million passengers use them each week, enabling Border Force officers to work on other security and intelligence matters.

The changes are in addition to the ongoing Digital Services at the Border (DSAB) programme, which is modernising technology at the border to improve intelligence gathering on goods and passengers and increase security.

Border Force has also increased the use of Advance Passenger Information, with systems in place to receive data on 100% of scheduled flights for all international journeys to and from the UK.

The new proposals have been welcomed by industry, which will no longer be required to purchase and distribute landing cards to passengers.

Heathrow Airport CEO John Holland-Kaye said:

“We warmly welcome this proposed change, which would give visitors to Britain an improved experience, while maintaining a secure border into the UK.

“In post-Brexit Britain, it will be even more important to show we are open for business – and make sure that we give investors, tourists and students a great welcome to our country.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the new Immigration Minister and Border Force over the coming years to keep improving the passenger experience at the UK’s border.”

Before implementing the proposed changes, the Home Office is opening a four-week consultation with carriers, ports and those who use statistics gathered from landing card data.

The changes are expected to come into effect in the autumn.

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors are one of the UK’s leading firms of immigration specialists and are able to advise on business immigration and right to work in the UK, Tier-2 visa applications and appeals, student and graduate visas, spousal visas and visa overstays.

Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers can also advice on illegal entry to the UK, the Modern Slavery Bill, and UK immigration law and the Human Rights Act.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities, including more than 20 offices across London and the southeast.

Our specialist business immigration solicitors will be able to advise businesses and individuals on any changes to UK immigration law during Brexit negotiations and post Brexit.

For expert legal advice on international recruitment and UK business immigration law, call Duncan Lewis business immigration solicitors on 0333 772 0409.