Guidance

EEA decisions taken on grounds of public policy: caseworker guidance

Immigration staff guidance on how to make decisions on the grounds of public policy and public security.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Published: 2 February 2017
• Last updated: 5 October 2022 — See all updates

Documents

EEA decisions on grounds of public policy and public security

PDF, 677 KB, 94 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

UK Visas and Immigration guidance for staff on how decisions should be made under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016 (EEA Regulations 2016) on the grounds of public policy and public security.

This guidance applies to all public policy and public security decisions made on or after 1 February 2017.

We are aware this publication may have accessibility issues. We are reviewing it so that we can fix these.

Read more about our accessible documents policy.

Published 2 February 2017
Last updated 5 October 2022 + show all updates

1. 5 October 2022

   The guidance has been amended to include details about: the circumstances when it is appropriate to make a decision on grounds of public policy, public security or public health from 1 July 2021; minor changes relating to refusal or invalidation of EEA documentation; minor changes relating to the effect of deportation decisions; minor changes relating to entry in breach of a deportation order, exclusion order or exclusion decision and applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS); and minor changes relating to the consideration of continuous residence.

2. 25 November 2021

   Updated guidance.

3. 10 November 2021

   Amended guidance including about when it is appropriate to make a decision on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health and changes relating to entry in breach of a deportation order, exclusion order or exclusion decision and applications to the EU Settlement Scheme.

4. 31 December 2020

   The guidance has been amended to include details about: the circumstances when it is appropriate to make a decision on grounds of public policy, public security and public health from 1 January 2021; time-limited deportation orders; the criteria for the referral of cases involving persistent offenders; the decision-making process where exclusion from the UK is being considered; serving deportation decisions to file; pending prosecutions; minor changes to reflect the process of making decisions under this guidance; the new appeal rights set out in the Immigration (Citizens’ Rights Appeals) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020; changes to the Immigration Rules in accordance with Part 9 of HC813 for cancellation and curtailment of leave under the EU Settlement Scheme on grounds of suitability.

5. 14 December 2017

   Guidance updated.

6. 22 November 2017

   Guidance updated

7. 2 February 2017

   First published.