Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-enforcement-digital-device-extraction-policy

Change description : 2025-10-22 12:51:00: Published version 4.0 of the Immigration Enforcement criminal and financial investigations: digital devices – seizure and retention, and data extraction policy. A full list of changes can be found in the guide. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-02-20 15:30:26.413344728 +00:00..2025-10-22 11:51:18.907179188 +00:00

Guidance

Digital device extraction policy: caseworker guidance

Immigration staff guidance on the powers and obligations related to the seizure and interrogation of digital media under the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA).

From:
UK Visas and Immigration and Immigration Enforcement
Published
8 July 2021
Last updated
2022 FebruaryOctober 2025 — See all updates

Documents

Immigration Enforcement criminal and financial investigations: digital devices - seizure and retention, and data extraction policy (accessible)

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Immigration Enforcement criminal and financial investigations: digital devices - seizure and retention, and data extraction policy

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Details

UK Visas and Immigration guidance for staff on how powers and obligations under the DPA 2018 interact with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA), statutory powers of seizure and case law.

It is aimed at:

  • criminal investigators in Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigators (CFI)
  • Immigration Investigators within Immigration Compliance and Enforcement (ICE)
  • Immigration Intelligence (II)
  • suitably trained and accredited criminal investigators within the Home Office and others lawfully charged with seizure and interrogation of digital media

Updates to this page

Published 8 July 2021

Last updated 2022 FebruaryOctober 2025 + show href="#full-history">+ show all updates

    3. Removed a video as it is no longer available, and updated the investigation management document link.

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Update history

2026-02-27 12:00
Updated with new guidance on criminal powers of seizure available to CFI officers in Northern Ireland and electronic device seizure powers under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025.

2025-10-22 12:51
Published version 4.0 of the Immigration Enforcement criminal and financial investigations: digital devices – seizure and retention, and data extraction policy. A full list of changes can be found in the guide.

2025-02-20 15:30
Removed a video as it is no longer available, and updated the investigation management document link.

2022-09-28 15:44
Updated policy for criminal and financial officers relating to seizure, retention and data extraction from digital devices. Document title has also changed from ‘Immigration Enforcement: digital device extraction policy’ to ‘Immigration Enforcement criminal and financial investigations: digital devices – seizure and retention, and data extraction policy’.