About us - who are we and what we do

The Home Office leads on immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime policy, counter-extremism and counter-terrorism and works to ensure visible, responsive and accountable policing in the UK. These issues are at the heart of the Government's agenda. The challenges the Department faces are significant and can change rapidly in the global environment in which we operate. This makes it one of the most exciting and stimulating Departments to work in.

We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We have been recognised in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women; and were the first organisation to be Clear Assured in recognition of our work to recruit and retain disabled staff. We have been in the top 10 of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index for the past 5 years.

Background to UKVI Asylum Operations

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is one of four key business areas within the Home Office and we are undergoing an exciting period of change.

Alongside the other areas of the Home Office, the department is embarking upon a transformational programme. We aim to become a high performing, consistently competent and customer focused organisation which controls migration for the benefit of the UK, or removing those who have no right to be here, in a way that affords value for money for the taxpayer.

Within UKVI, the Immigration & Protection Directorate is responsible for registering, deciding and concluding asylum protection claims. The primary function of the directorate is to make high quality decisions on asylum cases and work with other parts of the organisation to ensure effective immigration control.

For more information about the Home Office and our business areas please visit: gov.uk