It has come to our attention that some/certain travel agencies and other bodies are advising their clients to provide false information on their visa application forms in order to secure UK visas, specifically visit visas.
It is imperative that you do not provide false information on your visa application form as it can lead to your visa application being refused and to a potential ban from entering the UK for up to ten years.
Even if your visa is granted, if you have provided false information on your visa application form you can be refused entry to the UK at the border and banned from entering for up to ten years. Should this occur, you may be detained in an immigration detention centre until the authorities are able to find a flight in order to remove you from the UK.
Alternatively, you may be granted immigration bail, which will allow you entry to the UK with certain conditions (surrender your passport to the authorities etc.). You will subsequently be returned to your home country and will have significant difficulties re-entering the UK in the future.
UK border officials have discretion to refuse individuals at the border if, when questioned, it becomes apparent that the details provided on the form were false.
If you provide accurate information on your visa application form and your application is subsequently refused, you may re-apply for a visa. However, if the Home Office state in their refusal that your application was deceptive, you could be banned from entering the UK for up to ten years. Overturning a ban is incredibly difficult. Any subsequent visa applications, even after a ban is lifted, are highly likely to be refused due to adverse immigration history. It is therefore vital that you are truthful in your application.
Do not take immigration advice from anyone who is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (“SRA”) or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (“OISC”). If anyone advises you to provide false information, or to lie on your visa application form, it is vital that you refuse to do so, as you may be refused and receive a ban from the UK.
Gherson has extensive experience in advising on visit visas the full scope of UK visa applications and it is regulated by the SRA. Should you require any assistance in preparing your visa application, please do not hesitate to contact us for further advice. Alternatively, follow us on Twitter to stay connected with the latest immigration updates.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication, it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
©Gherson 2021
Trainee solicitor in our Corporate Team