UK toughens penalties on visa fraud
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
THOSE who try to gain access to the United Kingdom by using false documents or deception will starting from today face a 10-year ban from entering the country.
Applicants who have previously breached UK immigration laws by staying in the UK illegally or working without permission will also face a ban of anything from one to 10 years.
The British High Commissioner, John Saville, said: "We warmly welcome genuine visitors as they benefit the UK culturally and economically, but those who abuse the welcome, or attempt fraud in their visa applications, will now be held to account.
"Developments such as biometrics and improved forgery detection have made it much easier to separate visa fraudsters from genuine applicants."
Under the new system, the UK is changing the rules to prevent anyone who has previously broken the immigration laws from coming to the UK for a fixed period.
These include working illegally, overstaying for more than 28 days, entering illegally or using deception in a visa or other application.
The length of the ban will vary from one to 10 years, depending on whether the people leave voluntarily and at their own expense. Visa applicants who have used deception in a previous application, for example using a false document, lying or withholding information, will be banned from the United Kingdom for 10 years.
The High Commissioner added: "These changes will not affect the vast majority of Bruneians who visit, work and study in the UK without any problem, and abide by the conditions of their entry. But it is important to remember that the consequences of not abiding, or providing false information, can be tough."
Bruneians can visit the UK without a visa for up to six months, but those who want to stay longer, such as students and work permit holders, must obtain a visa before leaving for the UK as visitors cannot change their status once they have entered the UK.
The UK visa service welcomes over two million people a year to the UK, and delivers first class customer service to genuine applicants. The new measures target the minority of individuals who try to abuse the rules.
Applicants who have breached immigration laws in the UK will be banned from coming back to the UK for a lengthy period.
The length of time will depend on how the individual left the UK after his or her breach of the law.
The penalties are as follows:
one year if he or she left voluntarily at his or her own expense;
five years if he or she left voluntarily at public expense; and
10 years if he or she was removed or deported.
The UK is making these changes for two main reasons:
So those who break immigration laws face a clear sanction; and
To give those who are currently in the UK illegally an incentive to leave of their own accord because those who do will be kept out for a much shorter period than those who have to be deported.
The Brunei Times
Applicants who have previously breached UK immigration laws by staying in the UK illegally or working without permission will also face a ban of anything from one to 10 years.
The British High Commissioner, John Saville, said: "We warmly welcome genuine visitors as they benefit the UK culturally and economically, but those who abuse the welcome, or attempt fraud in their visa applications, will now be held to account.
"Developments such as biometrics and improved forgery detection have made it much easier to separate visa fraudsters from genuine applicants."
Under the new system, the UK is changing the rules to prevent anyone who has previously broken the immigration laws from coming to the UK for a fixed period.
These include working illegally, overstaying for more than 28 days, entering illegally or using deception in a visa or other application.
The length of the ban will vary from one to 10 years, depending on whether the people leave voluntarily and at their own expense. Visa applicants who have used deception in a previous application, for example using a false document, lying or withholding information, will be banned from the United Kingdom for 10 years.
The High Commissioner added: "These changes will not affect the vast majority of Bruneians who visit, work and study in the UK without any problem, and abide by the conditions of their entry. But it is important to remember that the consequences of not abiding, or providing false information, can be tough."
Bruneians can visit the UK without a visa for up to six months, but those who want to stay longer, such as students and work permit holders, must obtain a visa before leaving for the UK as visitors cannot change their status once they have entered the UK.
The UK visa service welcomes over two million people a year to the UK, and delivers first class customer service to genuine applicants. The new measures target the minority of individuals who try to abuse the rules.
Applicants who have breached immigration laws in the UK will be banned from coming back to the UK for a lengthy period.
The length of time will depend on how the individual left the UK after his or her breach of the law.
The penalties are as follows:
one year if he or she left voluntarily at his or her own expense;
five years if he or she left voluntarily at public expense; and
10 years if he or she was removed or deported.
The UK is making these changes for two main reasons:
So those who break immigration laws face a clear sanction; and
To give those who are currently in the UK illegally an incentive to leave of their own accord because those who do will be kept out for a much shorter period than those who have to be deported.
The Brunei Times
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