Peers finished line-by-line scrutiny of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill on 14 November and scheduled its third reading for 17 November. The 417-page Bill is the legislative backbone for the Labour government’s promise to ‘take back control of Britain’s borders’ while modernising intelligence-led risk management.
Key provisions include:
• a statutory Border Security Command that can direct police, Border Force and intelligence assets in real time;
• counter-terrorism powers—previously limited to aviation—to be extended to ports, rail and parcel hubs;
• a single digital travel record integrating ETA, API and exit-checks data; and
• authority to use fast-track tribunals for manifestly unfounded asylum cases.
![Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill set for final tweaks after Lords scrutiny]()
For corporate mobility teams, the most immediate impact will be the obligation on carriers to transmit passenger data four hours before departure instead of the current two, backed by fines of up to £50,000 per flight or sailing. Logistics operators moving time-critical goods will also face new civil penalties if drivers lack the right to work.
Although no amendments were tabled at this stage, peers flagged concerns about data-sharing safeguards and the appeal rights of travellers refused boarding on security grounds. Ministers promised a code of practice before the Bill returns to the Commons in December. Passage is widely expected before Easter 2026, giving businesses roughly nine months to upgrade systems and train staff.
The Bill dovetails with the separate Electronic Travel Authorisation rollout, meaning that from 2026 every non-visa national will have a digital permission pre-linked to their passport. Once fully operational, employers should benefit from faster airside processing for assignees, but failure to comply could generate significant disruption and reputational risk.
Key provisions include:
• a statutory Border Security Command that can direct police, Border Force and intelligence assets in real time;
• counter-terrorism powers—previously limited to aviation—to be extended to ports, rail and parcel hubs;
• a single digital travel record integrating ETA, API and exit-checks data; and
• authority to use fast-track tribunals for manifestly unfounded asylum cases.
For corporate mobility teams, the most immediate impact will be the obligation on carriers to transmit passenger data four hours before departure instead of the current two, backed by fines of up to £50,000 per flight or sailing. Logistics operators moving time-critical goods will also face new civil penalties if drivers lack the right to work.
Although no amendments were tabled at this stage, peers flagged concerns about data-sharing safeguards and the appeal rights of travellers refused boarding on security grounds. Ministers promised a code of practice before the Bill returns to the Commons in December. Passage is widely expected before Easter 2026, giving businesses roughly nine months to upgrade systems and train staff.
The Bill dovetails with the separate Electronic Travel Authorisation rollout, meaning that from 2026 every non-visa national will have a digital permission pre-linked to their passport. Once fully operational, employers should benefit from faster airside processing for assignees, but failure to comply could generate significant disruption and reputational risk.
