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I made an application for a UK visa for my 72-year-old mother-in-law. The main reason was for her to come and celebrate with us my son's 2nd birthday, since she hasn't ever met the grandchildren. I honestly had no idea of her travel history so I ticked no to the question whether she had ever been refused a visa? After submitting it online, my husband (her son) told me she has been refused a visa twice, before we he had met (in 2011 and 2012).

The application was refused and she was given a 10-year ban. I feel so sorry and sad because I caused this. The old woman had no part in this; she is heartbroken and we don't want to lose her because of this.

Is there any way we can lift the ban and reapply? She keeps saying that if she meets her grandchildren and dies a day after, she will forever rest peacefully.

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    because she keeps saying if she meets her grandchildren and die a day after she will forever rest peacefully What stops you taking the children to her?
    – Augustine of Hippo
    Oct 28, 2018 at 10:34
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    What you need is a solicitor. How do I find an immigration lawyer/solicitor to help with my UK Visa application?
    – Augustine of Hippo
    Oct 28, 2018 at 10:36
  • How long ago were the refusals? Her age might play a factor in helping overturn the ban.
    – user58558
    Oct 28, 2018 at 12:15
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    @mandy Did it really not occur to you to ask about your mother-in-law’s travel history, and/or confirm the details with her or your husband before submitting the application?
    – Traveller
    Oct 28, 2018 at 13:57
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    @mandy I am also originally from Ghana and I understand your plight. Unfortunately your mother in law is not coming to the UK for the next ten years or maybe ever. Forget about it, it’s not happening. Send the child to Ghana so she can see him. Ghana is safe nothing will happen to it. Alternatively spend 5000 or more pounds with a solicitor and almost certainly get the same result, ie no visa.
    – Augustine of Hippo
    Oct 28, 2018 at 17:38

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Unfortunately, even though you completed the application on your mother-in-law’s behalf she remains responsible for its contents. UKVI views failing to declare previous refusals as deception, which attracts a mandatory refusal https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/673999/GGFR-Section-2-v29.0EXT.PDF Your mother-in-law would be in a position to know that she had two previous refusals, it is not something that one just ‘forgets’. There is little you can do other than get advice from an Immigration lawyer, which is likely to be costly and probably fruitless given her Immigration history. See What can I do to lift a 10 year ban for making a mistake in my UK visa application? and Standard Visitor visa refusal (Deception, V3.6(b)) and procedure for reapplying

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  • Actually, the OP's mother in law now has to prove, on a balance of probabilities--meaning more likely than not, that this was an honest mistake. "Forgetting" could work depending on how long ago the previous refusals were considering her advanced age. However, the burden of proof is on her. As in all legal matters it's less about what actually happened and more about what can be proved. It will be difficult.
    – user58558
    Oct 28, 2018 at 12:32
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    If the OP tries to do any of that without qualified legal advice, we should be clear, the odds are very much against them, rectitude of their position notwithstanding. I think we need to be clear to the OP that this is not a route that can be navigated successfully based on random strangers' advice on internet fora, and that a goodly four-figure sum will be required to take it with any likelihood of success. And five figures if they end up going for JR.
    – MadHatter
    Oct 28, 2018 at 13:32
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    The reality is that her chances are slim and none. Better to be brutally honest with people than give solutions which provide ephemeral hope.
    – Augustine of Hippo
    Oct 28, 2018 at 13:47
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    @greatone Everyone says there were no dishonest intentions after being refused. With two previous refusals already, albeit some years ago, and with what looks like the OP’s minimal knowledge of the process, IMHO it does not seem very likely that the visa would have been granted even if the refusals had been declared. It’s stretching credulity to understand how someone could complete an application on behalf of someone else without at least checking the answers given before submitting. Even more so since the OP’s husband was well aware.
    – Traveller
    Oct 28, 2018 at 14:03
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    I suppose there is something at the end of the forms where you declare that you know all the things that were filled in are the truth?
    – gnasher729
    Oct 28, 2018 at 16:08

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