UK Immigration – Innocent Mistakes Could Result in Refusal

Anyone wanting to relocate to the United Kingdom from outside the European Union has to complete a UK immigration form. The application is for entry clearance and the slightest mistake could be seen as misleading or deceitful, which in turn could result in your refusal to move to the country.

When completing such an important form that could impact the rest of your life, it’s imperative that you ensure each step is completed in full and that there are no innocent mistakes, such as ticking the wrong box because you’re in a hurry. Ticking that one wrong box could easily result in a ten year ban from the UK, which means you wouldn’t even be able to visit, let alone move to the country and settle down.

If while completing the form you didn’t realise you made an error and your letter comes back refusing you entry due to error, it’s important you hire an immigration lawyer who can assist you in convincing the clerks that this was done in error and not as an effort to deceive them. Of course you cannot blame the clerks, they are looking for misleading information and people trying to get into the country, so they have to take every step on their side to ensure you have answered the form honestly and to the best of your ability.

The VAF (Visa Application Form) is detailed, long and boring, so you obviously want to complete it as quickly as possible. Ensure you complete the form honestly and if you are unsure on how to complete the form, get assistance from an immigration lawyer who can assist you. Rather than ticking the wrong box as an innocent mistake, submit an accurate form to reduce the risk of refusal moving forward.

Sit down in a quiet space with limited distractions. Keep all your paperwork with you, such as your passport and old passports, where possible. If unsure, as mentioned, seek assistance from an attorney with knowledge in this area that can assist you.

Start by completing the section about you; your name, date of birth, marital status, etc. Ensure you complete the form neatly and clearly, this makes it easier for the person on the other side to read what you have written and can reduce the risk of unwelcome delays in processing your request.

Be completely honest while you complete your passport information. This section requires your passport number, date of issue, where it was issued, expiry date and also a section of previous passports. Hopefully you have kept your expired passports, if not write reason that you cannot complete this section. Your old passport may even have been stolen or lost.

Fill out your contact information, give as much as you can from address to telephone to email address, you want them to be able to contact you if they see an innocent mistake on your form or are seeking further information they may need to make a decision regarding your application.

Speak to your parents, you are going to need to know all their information, along with information for your spouse and children. This will include date of birth and place of birth.

Be honest about your current employment status and finances. The person going through your form and deciding whether to grant you entry will need to determine if you can support yourself when you arrive in the country and will not immediately turn to benefits as a means of support.

Finally, include any supporting documents that may be required and sign the declaration that the information you have provided is accurate and completely truthfully.