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I am applying for a UK Spouse Visa.

There is a question "Have you ever: Given false information when applying for a visa, leave to enter, or leave to remain".

I initially answered "no" because, surely I'd never done that?

But then I realized, I had been scolded by a Border Force Officer.

The first time I flew into the UK with my then-girlfriend (now wife), I was asked about the purpose of my visit, and I never mentioned her or visiting her.

We travelled a month later, and when we reentered the UK, the Officer this time asked if I had a UK partner, and I answered that I did, and we had just arrived together. Now I was taken aside, and waited 15 minutes until I was brought back to the same officer, who gave me 6 months Leave to Enter, but scolded me, informing me that I was to always let them know that I had a UK partner.

Now of course I'm terrified that my visa will be refused, as deception is mandatory grounds for refusal. I wasn't asked the first time if I had a UK partner, but I also didn't mention her as part of my reason for visiting. Obviously I didn't understand that I absolutely needed to have mentioned her. And I was honest when asked directly on my second visit.

Does anyone know if I explain this in my visa, if I'll still be denied? Does it help that I told an Officer the second time, and was granted Leave to Enter, and was informed I needed to always mention her in the future?

From OP: I did initially answer No but then the thought jumped out that I was mistaken. I was asking on this forum, to help me figure out whether to answer Yes or No, what to say, and how the answer would weigh on my application decision.

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  • Have you submitted the application and have you been through the Bio-metrics process?
    – Hanky Panky
    Oct 24, 2019 at 6:58
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    False means deliberate dishonesty, not incorrect. Were you deliberately dishonest?
    – user58558
    Oct 24, 2019 at 12:04
  • why did you remove very important details from your question in the latest edit? That doesn’t help you in anyway.
    – Hanky Panky
    Oct 24, 2019 at 17:54
  • I've had my question answered elsewhere, and have been told that because I was let in, then my situation does not rise to the level of needing answer 'Yes'.
    – UKVisaHopeful
    Oct 24, 2019 at 18:29
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    Terrible advice I must say, However It's your life so chose the advice you deem fit.
    – Hanky Panky
    Oct 24, 2019 at 18:45

1 Answer 1

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Yes, you did give false information during your landing interview.

If I were you, I would answer Yes to that question on the subsequent applications and explain the episode briefly. Since you were still let in the country, I believe that won't have a considerable effect on the outcome of your visa application.

If you have already submitted the application with a No:

But now that you have answered that question incorrectly, and you know from your experience that they know about that already, unfortunately there are strong chances of a refusal.

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    @UKVisaHopeful: And I would stress that they keep records about your motivations and entries, as you have seen. In the 15 minutes they will probably had time to add that to your records. There are nearly no "wrong answers" (meaning automatic refusal), just some answers could requires further research, and because of the minor problem, I think it would not affect the visa. but if you answer no (and they have the record), they may assume you are a serial liar [not just nervousness]
    – Giacomo Catenazzi
    Oct 24, 2019 at 7:13
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    Why not? A landing interview is ‘leave to enter’ stage.
    – Hanky Panky
    Oct 24, 2019 at 8:33
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    @HankyPanky ah OK, I thought 'leave to enter' was something that had to be applied for with a formal application, like a visa.
    – AakashM
    Oct 24, 2019 at 10:24
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    @HankyPanky Where did the OP give false information? As far as I can see, all they did was not volunteer information.
    – lambshaanxy
    Oct 24, 2019 at 21:05
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    @jpatokal The OP was asked about the purpose of the first trip. Flying with the girlfriend suggests that spending time with her was at least a significant purpose. Instead, the OP talked about visiting other people.
    – Patricia Shanahan
    Oct 24, 2019 at 23:33

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