Immigration Rules part 9: grounds for refusal

Grounds for the refusal

Suitability requirements apply to all routes and must be met in addition to validity and eligibility requirements.

Where this Part applies a person will not meet the suitability requirements if they fall for refusal under this Part.

A person may also have their entry clearance or permission cancelled on suitability grounds.

More than one grounds for refusal or cancellation may apply, for example, the presence of a foreign criminal in the UK may not be conducive to the public good.

The Immigration Act 1971, section 76 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (revocation of indefinite leave), the Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000 and Schedule 2 of the Immigration Act 1971 set out the powers to cancel entry clearance or permission. These rules set out how those powers are to be exercised.

Decisions on suitability are either mandatory (must) or discretionary (may) and must be compatible with the UK obligations under the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights, which are mainly provided for under other provisions in these Rules.

Some routes have their own, or additional, suitability requirements.

This Part is in 5 sections.

  1. 1. Application of this Part;
  2. 2. Grounds for refusal, or cancellation of, entry clearance, permission to enter and permission to stay;
  3. 3. Additional grounds for refusal of entry, or cancellation of entry clearance or permission, on arrival in the UK;
  4. 4. Additional grounds for refusal, or cancellation, of permission to stay;
  5. 5. Additional grounds for cancellation of entry clearance, permission to enter and permission to stay which apply to specified routes.