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I overstayed for a year over 10 years ago with student visa. When I left the UK voluntarily, the custom officer told me I needed to explain to the officer with a reason if I re-enter the country, this was in April 2008. I now have a Canadian passport, which does not require a visa for short travel in the UK. Would I be ok to visit the Uk again?

Uciebila
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Jojo
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2 Answers2

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The most comfortable way to find out is to apply for a visa, rather than attempting UK entry under visa waiver.

If you apply for a visa you will be able to answer any questions about your overstay, and why you are not going to repeat it, as part of your application. If you go visa waiver, your interview will be just after a long haul flight, when you may be tired and so a bit less articulate.

If you are denied entry on arrival, you will have two transatlantic flights in quick succession, possibly separated by a stay in a immigration holding area while your return flight is being arranged. If you are denied a visa, you will find out about it while still at home, and can pick somewhere other than the UK to visit.

Patricia Shanahan
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The UK is NOT the same as it was in 2008.

Border controls have tightened significantly, especially in the wake of UK nationals travelling to fight for ISIS then returning via 'dubious and possibly surreptitious means', such as under another passport from a third nation via a 'visa waiver'.

Your entry, unannounced, will likely NOT be looked upon favourably by the SOFTWARE that performs most security checks this century, and you WILL be flagged as a suspicious individual attempting entry into the UK. Global border controls have strengthened.

Given the UK has one of the best and most competent security services of any of the developed nations, computer-based analysis via super-computers tracking millions of individuals on file, globally, and the nation pioneered public CCTV and public facial-tracking, you may want to reconsider your 'simple plan'.

Apply for a visa prior to flight into the UK to comprehend your actual status and options or your short stay may not be... pleasant.

David H Parry
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