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In my visitor's visa application I made an error in answering a question of Do I have family living in the UK? At the time my daughter (who I traveled with to the UK) was still in the UK when I went back to Nigeria to renew my visitor visa. I understood the question to be as having grown family like brothers and sisters that are resident in the UK etc. So I selected no. This resulted in a 10 year ban when they found out that my daughter was still in the UK. This was 5 years ago. Since then I have become a Canadian citizen and have a Canadian passport.

Being a Canadian citizen I no longer need a visa. Can I enter the UK with my new citizenship?

Is the 10 year ban on me, or a ban from applying for a visa for 10 years?

xngtng
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Ade Oriade
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1 Answers1

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Your Canadian citizenship does not make you a new person and the rules apply based on your personal identity.

But the ban in this specific case only applies to visa applications.

The mandatory automatic refusal for 10 years due to previous deception only applies to applications for an entry clearance (visa), as provided by Paragraph 9.8.7. of the Immigration Rules:

(f) 10 years: Used deception in an application (for visits this applies to applications for entry clearance only).

Your Canadian citizenship means that you no longer have to seek entry clearance prior to seeking permission to enter the UK as a visitor. Thus, technically, the 10-year ban no longer applies if you simply seek entrance into the UK as a visitor.

However, immigration officials at the border nonetheless have the discretion to refuse your entry for previous deception (without time limitation) for any type of immigration applications:

9.8.3A. An application for entry clearance, permission to enter, or permission to stay may be refused where a person used deception in relation to a previous application (whether or not successfully).

There is still a significant risk of denial of entry regardless of your new citizenship. It is recommended to seek legal advice before you travel to the UK.

xngtng
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