What the guidance says
The Home Office publishes its staff guidance on the Suitability rules covering deception, false representations and false documents. It says an application must be refused where the decision maker is satisfied that the applicant used deception, which includes making false representations or providing false documents or false information. When an application is refused because of deception, future applications must be refused for a 10-year period, known as the 10-year ban, which runs from the date of the refusal decision.
When there is no ban
Where the decision maker cannot prove deception, but false representations, false information or false documents were submitted, refusal or cancellation is discretionary under other paragraphs of the rules. The guidance says those refusals do not lead to a ban. The standard of proof is the balance of probabilities.
An example from the guidance
The guidance gives a scenario where an applicant provides a false English language certificate to a sponsor to be accepted onto a course. If the sponsor later revokes sponsorship because of this, the case can be refused, or existing permission cancelled, on the basis of false representations to obtain documents from a third party.
If someone else did it
If the applicant says a third party, helper or proxy carried out the deception, the guidance says staff should still consider refusal on deception grounds if they can prove the applicant knew and was involved. If they cannot, they should still consider the discretionary route.
Important
This is guidance for Home Office staff, and the rules and their paragraph numbers change. The current text is on GOV.UK, and this site cannot give legal advice. If you are worried about an application, speak to a regulated immigration adviser. Read how test sellers operate in fake IELTS certificates, and the law in UK law on fake documents.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ban for using false documents in a UK application?
The Home Office guidance says future applications must be refused for 10 years when an application is refused because of deception.
Does every false statement lead to a ban?
No. Where deception cannot be proved, refusal is discretionary and the guidance says it does not lead to the ban.
Where is the official text?
On GOV.UK, in the Home Office staff guidance on the Suitability rules.