Subject Access Request (SAR) To Home Office

Our immigration solicitors can assist you with your Subject Access Request (SAR) application to the Home Office to get a full copy of your Home Office file.

A subject access request (SAR) can be made to the Home Office to get a copy of all the personal information, documents, records, decisions, notes etc which the Home Office is holding about you in their database. Requests for access to records and for other information about those records are known as "subject access requests" and are made to the person or organisation (the "data controller") who you think is processing (holding, disclosing or using) the information to which you want to access.

Types of Subject Access Request

There are 3 types of requests you can make to the Home Office to get personal information held in the borders, immigration and citizenship system. You will receive a response within 30 days of your identity being verified by the Home Office. If multiple requests are made for the same person, the first request received will be treated as your sole application.

Basic

You can request a copy of:

• an electronic summary of your immigration history
• landing cards we hold electronically
• visa applications you submitted from outside of the UK (as part of entry clearance)
• Workers Registration Scheme (WRS) information if you are a national of Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia
• Entry and exit into and out of the UK. Your travel history can be provided for the past 5 years if a passport or travel document is submitted for this period

Most people find that this option gives them all the information they need.

Specific

You can request specific information if you need to. You should clearly describe what documents you need.

You can request copies of up to 5 single documents, for example:

• a list of your applications
• a particular decision letter
• the outcome of an appeal (appeal determination)
• a particular detention progress report
• a deportation order
• a particular interview record

If you need more information than the single documents in this list, you will need to make a detailed request.

Detailed

This allows you to request a copy of your Home Office paper file. Initially, you will be sent an electronic summary of your immigration information (as with a basic application) this gives most people what they need. However, this option also allows you to request further information from your Home Office paper file if the electronic data did not fulfil your request. Refining your request to state clearly what paper records you need will help your application.