Do I need a re-entry visa after voluntary re-entry ban expired?

Question

I am a Malaysian. I usually do not need a tourist visa to enter into the UK in the past. But I had been studying, living and working on various legal visas until I reached my more than 10 years’ residency back in 2009 where I applied a permanent residence status. The application was refused due to tecnicality 10 days’ gap of discontinued visa back in 2001 (As a result of 9/11 event, the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur was closed, resulting late student visa extension) if I recall correctly. I have gone through appeal process, but still refused of the PR status. Demotivated, I have decided to be on assisted voluntary program, where flight tickets have been purchased for me, my then 10 month old daughter and my husband to return to Malaysia for good, so we did leave all of our belongings and life behind. We were informed that we can only enter the UK after 6 years.

Now, after nearly 10 years, my daughter wants to go on Harry Potter Studio tour and visit KidZania London.However, I have lost all of the return entry ban paperwork. Who should I contact to confirm that I will not be refused into the UK if I plan to travel and make all of the holiday booking for this June 2019? Do I still need any re-entry visa? On what category should I apply? I could not find any info on this kind of visa.

Really appreciate some help/advice. Thank you.

Answer 1

You do not need to contact anyone, the rules for the ban governing your case are as below:

Re-entry bans

Voluntary departure at the Secretary of State’s expense People who breach UK immigration laws and leave the UK voluntarily at the expense (directly or indirectly) of the Secretary of State are subject to 2 year or 5 year re-entry bans. This includes those who leave the UK through an assisted voluntary return (AVR) programme at the Secretary of State’s expense, or otherwise voluntarily.

If you’ve been away for almost ten years, your ban is over.

Do I still need any re-entry visa? On what category should I apply?

You do not need a reentry visa however recommended practice by UK Immigration (see attached image) and on Travel.Exchange is you should apply for a Standard Visitor Visa.

For obvious reasons your chances of approval are slim at best. Do not purchase non refundable tickets or pay for hotel reservations until after you’re issued the visas. Even after you’re issued the visas, carry along all the documents you used to apply for your visa in case you’re grilled at the airport.