Statutory Instruments
2024 No. 19
Immigration And Asylum
The Immigration (Age Assessments) Regulations 2024
Made
9th January 2024
Coming into force
10th January 2024
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 52(1) and (2)(a) of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022( 1 ).
Before making these Regulations, the Secretary of State has sought scientific advice and has determined that the methods specified are appropriate for assessing a person’s age, in accordance with section 52(3) of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022.
A draft of this instrument was laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament in accordance with section 52(8)( 2 ) of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022.
Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation
1. —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Immigration (Age Assessments) Regulations 2024.
(2) These Regulations come into force on the day after the day on which they are made.
(3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
(4) In these Regulations, “ the 2022 Act ” means the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 .
Specified scientific methods for use in age assessments
2. The scientific methods specified under section 52 of the 2022 Act for the purposes of age assessments under section 50 or 51 of the 2022 Act are—
(a) the interpretation of radiographs to assess the stage of maturation of the mandibular third molars;
(b) the interpretation of radiographs to assess the stage of maturation of the bones of the hand and wrist;
(c) the interpretation of images from magnetic resonance imaging to assess the stage of maturation of the distal femur and proximal tibia;
(d) the interpretation of images from magnetic resonance imaging to assess the stage of maturation of the medial end of the clavicle.
Michael Tomlinson
Minister of State
Home Office
9th January 2024
For the meaning of “affirmative resolution procedure” see section 85(4) of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022.