Do I need to provide my travel history when applying for a UK visa or settlement in the UK?

When applying for a UK visa or settlement in the UK, you must provide information about your travel history. This can include details of your previous trips, such as dates and destinations, as well as any visas you have held for the UK and other countries. The specific requirements for travel history information will vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for.

Entry clearance

When applying for entry clearance to the UK, the online application form will generally require you to provide details of your travel history for the past 10 years, as well as details of any previous UK visas and refused visa applications for the UK or elsewhere during the past 10 years.  

Permission to stay

When applying for permission to stay in the UK, the online application form will generally require you to provide details of your travel history since your arrival in the UK, as well as details of any previous UK visas and refused visa applications for the UK or elsewhere during the past 10 years.

Settlement

When applying for settlement in the UK, the online application form will similarly require you to provide details of your travel history since your arrival in the UK, as well as details of any previous UK visas and refused visa applications for the UK or elsewhere during the past 10 years. Travel history is of paramount importance for settlement or Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) applications, as the Home Office will assess your continuous UK residence during the relevant qualifying period.

How can I access my immigration history?

Passport stamps are a good starting point to verify your travel history. However, you will not be able to rely on this method if you have lost or returned your expired passports or are eligible to go through e-gates. In these cases, immigration history and personal information can be acquired from the Home Office’s records using a so-called Subject Access Request (SAR). 

A word of caution

It is important to be honest and accurate in providing your travel history, as providing false information or omitting relevant details can lead to the refusal of your application or even a ban from entering the UK.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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