Should my father tell on visa application that he lived in the UK illegally?
My father went to the UK a long time ago on a 6 month visit visa. But, he ended up staying and working there for about 10 years. The Home Office had taken his biometrics, but in 2008, he left the UK and took a taxi to Spain. Since 2012, he has been a resident of Spain. He would now like to visit the UK again and plans to apply for a 6 month visit visa. Although it has been more than 10 years since he left the UK, should he reveal it in the application where they ask if you have ever stayed or worked in the UK illegally?
Best Answer
Yes, your father should tell that he has been illegally in the UK if asked about it on the forms.
Never lie to an immigration officer, not in person and not in forms, as the results of being caught in a lie are very strong.
Usually, when a lie or deception is uncovered, the resulting action is a ban, which may be temporary or life long, depending on what is lied about, and can influence the option for getting entry to this and other countries for a long time.
Visa forms often have the question if you have ever been banned and if so, you have to answer yes for the rest of your life, even when a ban has been long in the past and is no longer active.
Whether an illegal stay in the UK will make it impossible for him to enter the UK legally now will depend on several things, among which how he left and how strong his ties to his current life are.
If he is settled in Spain, with strong links to his life there, his chances are much better than if he has no links and no reason to return to Spain. So read up about 'ties to your country' and such on this site. And prepare as strong a visa application as you can. Or if he wants to stay in the UK and work there, apply for a visa allowing for that, with all supporting paperwork he can find.
Never assume that because something is long in the past it has been forgotten. And immigration officers are very good in finding out lies in applications.
Better be honest and hope for the best.
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How do I anonymously report an illegal immigrant UK?
Other ways to report a crimeWhat is illegal entry into the UK?
Illegal entry Clandestine - those who have entered the country by evading the controls, e.g.: hidden in a vehicle, and there is no evidence of lawful entry. This category will be unable to provide any evidence of their entry to the United Kingdom.What makes someone an illegal immigrant UK?
Illegal immigrants in the UK include those who have: entered the UK without authority. entered with false documents. overstayed their visas.Does immigration know your travel history UK?
UK Visas and Immigration specifically asks for details of your travel history for the past 10 years. ECOs check for travel history in your passport and the countries you have listed in your UK visa application. They also pay attention to any previous visa refusals you have listed in your application.British Citizens can apply for their Parents Or Adult Dependant Relative UK Settlement Visa
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