It was formed in 2013 from the section of the UK Border Agency that had administered the visa system.

The intention of the split was to disperse cases more evenly in a way that would provide them with "high-quality decisions".

[5] UKVI operates the UK visa system, managing applications from foreign nationals seeking to visit or work in the UK and also considering applications from businesses and educational institutions seeking to become sponsors for foreign nationals.

It also considers applications from foreign nationals seeking protection or British citizenship and manages appeals from those who have been denied visas.

[8] The headquarters of UK Visas and Immigration are in South London in Lunar House.