On 4 August 2022, the Police Registration Scheme was fully abolished for foreign nationals.
The suspension of the outdated scheme will be welcome news for many.
The scheme previously required certain foreign nationals to visit in person at a police station for strict police checks which required a £34 fee; they would also need to notify of any change to their address, visa, or job at the police station. Those who were required to register as a condition of their visa would normally be aged 16 or over and be a national of one of 44 specified countries. The list of countries were geographically wide-ranging and included China, Cuba, Brazil, Egypt, Moldova, Qatar, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine.
The information previously collected by the police is now routinely collected when individuals apply for their UK biometric residence permit. Introduced in 2015, biometric residence permits are required by a large proportion of UK visa applicants. Any changes to the BRP holder’s personal details, such as a change of address, are to be reported online.
As a result of the biometric system, police registration became largely redundant.
Those that have already registered no longer need to report changes at a police station; instead, updates should be reported on the Home Office website www.gov.uk/chnage-circumstances-visa-brp. They do not need to retain their “police registration certificate” since they will not be required to produce the certificate to a police or immigration officer. Anyone that has been issued a visa with a requirement to register, but who are yet to travel, will have their visa re-issued, where possible (with the condition removed), or will be notified of the changes prior to travel.
The abolishment of the Police Registration Scheme provides a more streamlined process for foreign nationals and forms part of UK Immigration’s digitalization strategy. This also includes moving applications online, collecting biometric data via smartphones and from 2023, the introduction of the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for all visitors to the UK.
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your sponsorship or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or at contact@ayjsolicitors.com today. We’re here to help!
