Tough new laws for those applying for visas
The Home Office has today introduced tough new visa laws which could make applying for entry clearance much more difficult.
The Home Office announcement states “Visa cheats who try to access to the UK by using false documents or deception will from today face a ten year ban. Applicants who have previously breached UK immigration laws by staying in the UK illegally or working without permission will also be banned from coming to the UK. The visa service welcomes over 2 million people a year to the UK, and delivers first class customer service to genuine applicants. The tough new measures target the minority of individuals who try to abuse the rules. All applicants for a UK visa are required to provide fingerscans as part of the application process. This identifies if they have previously broken the rules in the UK or have made an application in a different name. Developments in risk assessment and forgery identification have also made it far easier to uncover the cheats. These developments are good news for the majority of travellers. By quickly identifying who the high risk applicants are, UKvisas is also able to quickly identify and welcome legitimate travellers. The British Government is committed to a firm but fair migration system. It openly encourages and welcomes newcomers, travellers and visitors who want to work hard, play by the rules and who enrich the UK culturally and economically. But it will hold newcomers to account for their actions if they break the rules – whether that is overstaying their visa or attempting fraud or forgery.”
Therefore, any individual who has previously beached UK immigration law and is planning to leave the UK in order to make an application for a visa at a British Embassy should immediately take specialist legal advice before travelling.
