Home Office says it is expected that all content will be moved to GOV.UK by the beginning of March 2014 and the UKBA website will then be closed
A new Home Office document published on the ILPA website here (ILPA membership required to access) outlines how content from the UKBA website is being moved over to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) section on the GOV.UK website.
According to the document, it is expected that all content will be moved to GOV.UK by the beginning of March 2014. Once done, the former UKBA website will be closed.
The document provides some background on GOV.UK and a number of useful new links to where former UKBA pages now reside on GOV.UK.
Of note, the UK Visas and Immigration list of forms resides here, the list of all UK Visas and Immigration guidance resides here, and the Immigration Rules can be found here.
We've published the full text of the Home Office document below:
Moving immigration and visas content to GOV.UK
Background
GOV.UK was created as part of the plans to bring all government services in one place. It will result in savings and efficiencies across government as more services more onto one platform.
The new website GOV.UK was launched on 17 October 2012, bringing together content from Direct.gov and Businesslink. Since this date other government department sites have followed, with the Home Office launching its content on GOV.UK in March 2013.
The content from the former UKBA website (immigration and visas) is now being moved over. All of the web content, documents and guidance that was on the old site will be available on GOV.UK but will be written to suit the GOV.UK format and style.
How the site works
You will see GOV.UK is structured in a different way from the former UKBA website, so it may take some getting used to. There is an introductory video about GOV.UK on YouTube to help users understand the new site.
Services and information page
The homepage provides access to information for the public under the Services and information header.
The immigration and visas content for the public, (shown above but Citizenship and living in the UK has not yet been updated), has been written to be clear and concise and to guide customers through the immigration and visa application process as easily as possible.
Departments and policy section
More detailed information and guidance is found through the government department's content (see below).
You will find Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration homepages, documents and through the Ministerial departments link.
Immigration and visas content
We have started publishing immigration and visas content on the new website. This information can be found in the sections, as listed below. This shows the current content (on the former UKBA site) and the new GOV.UK links.
|
UKBA webpage title |
UKBA website link |
GOV.UK title |
GOV.UK link |
|
Report immigration crime or smuggling |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Report smuggling |
|
|
Report immigration crime or smuggling |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Report immigration crime |
|
|
Information for visa holders |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Transfer your visa to a new passport |
|
|
Transferring your immigration status to a biometric residence permit |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Replace a biometric residence permit |
|
|
Immigration removal centres |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Find an immigration removal centre |
|
|
Biometric residence permits |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Biometric residence permits |
|
|
British citizenship |
Check if you're a British citizen - content and tool |
||
|
How do I apply for British citizenship or another form of British nationality? |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Becoming a British citizen guide |
|
|
Application types |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Types of British nationality |
|
|
How do I register as a British citizen if I am a British national with no other nationality? |
Register as a British citizen |
||
|
How to give up British citizenship |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Give up (renounce) British citizenship |
|
|
Right of abode |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Prove you have right of abode in the UK |
|
|
Fees for visa applications |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
UK visa fees - start page |
|
|
Guide to visa processing times |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Visa processing times - start page |
|
|
Application for a sponsor licence |
https://www.points.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Apply for sponsor licence - start page |
|
|
Check an employee's right to work using a biometric residence permit |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Check an employee's right to work documents |
|
|
Stateless person |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Apply to stay in the UK as a stateless person |
|
|
How to apply for an EEA family permit |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Apply for a family permit |
|
|
How to apply for residence documents as a European citizen |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Prove your right to live in the UK as an EU citizen |
|
|
Adult student under Tier 4 (General) |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Tier 4 (adult) Study visa - VISA GUIDE |
|
|
Child students - tier 4 |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Tier 4 (Child) VISA |
|
|
How to apply for residence documents as a European citizen |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Prove your right to live in the UK as an EU citizen |
|
|
Sponsoring migrant workers under the points-based system |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
UK visa sponsorship for employers |
|
|
Return of document requests |
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ |
Get your visa, immigration or citizenship documents back |
|
|
How to apply for a Home Office travel document |
Apply for a Home Office travel document |
Publications, guidance and forms – available in the Departments and polices section
UK Visas and Immigration homepage https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
UK Visas and Immigration list of publications https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=uk-visas-and-immigration
UK Visas and Immigration consultations https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=uk-visas-and-immigration&publication_filter_option=consultations
UK Visas and Immigration list of forms https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=immigration+rules&publication_filter_option=forms&topics%5B%5D=all&departments%5B%5D=uk-visas-and-immigration&official_document_status=all&world_locations%5B%5D=all&from_date=&to_date=&commit=Refresh+results
UK Visas and Immigration list of all guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=&publication_filter_option=guidance&topics%5B%5D=all&departments%5B%5D=uk-visas-and-immigration&official_document_status=all&world_locations%5B%5D=all&from_date=&to_date=&commit=Refresh+results
Immigration rules – note current rules are not published yet, but archived versions are available https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=immigration+rules&publication_filter_option=policy-papers&topics%5B%5D=all&departments%5B%5D=uk-visas-and-immigration&official_document_status=all&world_locations%5B%5D=all&from_date=&to_date=&commit=Refresh+results
Next steps
We will continue to publish content over the next few weeks. After all the content from the former UKBA site has been published we will redirect all web links from relevant pages to the equivalent content on GOV.UK. Once this process has been completed the former UKBA website will be closed. This is likely to be by the beginning of March 2014.
Feedback
Each page on GOV.UK has a link to enable users to provide feedback. We would encourage users to report errors or issues. Please note that we are still in the process of transferring and publishing content, so if you think something is missing it may be coming soon.
Keep up to date
Users are able to filter information to find the types of content and subject they are interested in – this highlighted in red below. This image shows results for 'Immigration rules', using the filters of UK Visas and Immigration policy papers.
Users are also able to sign up to RSS or email alerts. This can be done by selecting the topics, departments or type of information that you are interested in – this is highlighted in blue below.
MORE ABOUT GOV.UK
What are the benefits of GOV.UK?
GOV.UK simplifies digital public services by making all of government's transactional services and information available through a single website.
GOV.UK has been developed with a strong emphasis on user needs. It aims to be simpler, clearer and faster for users. It is being extensively and continuously tested and improved to make sure it works better for users.
The website has a new design, new structure and new content formats. It has a new style guide and publishing system.
How do you know it's better?
The performance of every tool and page on GOV.UK is being measured by looking at things like user journeys, bounce rates, visits, and user testing. This provides the constant feedback needed to continually tune and improve the site. The website performance data is available to view.
When will the UKBA website move to GOV.UK?
All government NDPBs' and agencies' websites are scheduled to move across by July 2014. The UKBA website will be moved across as part of that work. But we are aiming to move the UKBA website to GOV.UK by March.
Will this change cause disruption to users?
The transition to GOV.UK is designed to cause as little inconvenience to users as possible.
UKBA web pages will automatically redirect to a comparable page onGOV.UK. If the page no longer exists on GOV.UK they will be sent to the archived page on the National Archives instead.
Do departments still have websites?
Departments have their own areas within GOV.UK, which explain what the department does; it's news, policies and publications. UKBA will not have a separate area as it is now part of the Home Office. UK Visas and Immigration has a separate area, linked from the Home Office page, as it has a separate brand identity.