British visa applicants who use deception, withhold information or employ false documents to try to gain entry into the UK will face a ten-year ban, reports UNB.

The new law will come into effect from 1 April, this year, a release of the British High Commission said Monday.

Under the changes to the UK’s immigration laws, which are being applied globally, the release said applicants who have previously breached UK immigration laws by staying in the UK illegally or working without permission will also be banned from coming to the UK.

Jon Verney, Head of Immigration Services at the British High Commission said, “Legitimate Bangladeshi applicants have nothing to fear from these changes and I feel confident that they will understand and share our desire to stamp out fraudulent applications.”

He said “dealing more effectively with the minority of individuals who seek to cheat the system enables us quickly to identify and welcome legitimate travellers and offer a high quality, transparent and efficient service.”

Across the world, Verney said applicants for a UK visa are required to provide digital photographs and electronic fingerprint scans as part of the application process.

This identifies those individuals who have previously broken the rules in the UK or who have made an application under a different name. He said developments in risk assessment and forgery identification have also made it far easier to uncover individuals who have abused the UK’s immigration system.

Verney said “Across the world, the UK is committed to a firm but fair migration system. We openly encourage and welcome newcomers, travellers and visitors who enrich the UK culturally and economically and who play by the rules.”

He said “to maintain this we need to be able to hold migrants into the UK to account for their actions if they do break the rules - whether that is overstaying their visa or attempting fraud or forgery.

“ Verney advised applicants not to risk going through agents that offer to “guarantee” a visa through fraudulent means or by providing false documents - applicants doing this risk losing an awful lot more than their money.