Which criminal convictions affect UK visa? Explained by The SmartMove2UK

Published on: 05 Nov 2021
Reading time: Approx 6 mins

• The UK government follows certain rules in deciding a visa application’s fate
• The process of decision-making follows protocols and guidelines
• The type of visa you are applying for, like either a student, tourist, business, or any other visa, is irrelevant–because these guidelines are standard and mandatory for all immigration procedures
• The acceptance or refusal of visas also depends on the sentence of the conviction
• If the applicant has been convicted of an offence and sentenced to a period of imprisonment of at least 4 years, their application will be refused
• Any sentence imposed by the court in months rather than years that is equivalent to 4 years (48 months) or more is also considered in this category
• The refusal of the application will remain the same, regardless of how long it has been since the conviction
• Visa applications are sometimes considered, if there are any compelling factors which amount to an exceptional reason

Some criminal convictions affect UK visa, which may lead to a UK Visa refusal are:

Yes, overseas criminal convictions affect UK visa. Here’s a brief idea how!

• The Immigration Rules and Home Office clearly states that any overseas convictions or non-custodial sentences have to be treated in the same way as one received in the UK
• The Immigration Rules require applicants to provide a certificate
• In some situations, the conviction of the conduct overseas could be considered as an offence, but the same behaviour isn’t a criminal offence in the UK
• For instance, it is legal in the UK to live with a partner in a same-sex relationship
• The Home Office normally disregards any convictions on the applicant’s records for conduct that are not a criminal offence in the UK

• As you can see, it can be tricky to get a detailed insight into what type of criminal convictions exactly affect the success of your visa application
• Regardless, the Home Office’s guidance is pretty clear in terms of declaring your convictions in your application and thresholds of criminal sentences
• The SmartMove2UK has helped many, with minor or complicated convictions on their record, to move to the UK
• Our UK immigration lawyers based in India – Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, consult clients thoroughly and are here to resolve all your queries related to conviction and its effects on your immigration process
• We consult our clients for many types of visa immigrations, from all over the world online via Zoom, Skype and WhatsApp by guiding them into a successful move to the UK
• If you would like to walk in for an offline consultation, you can do so at our offices currently in Mumbai & Delhi