The pattern
It usually starts with a message on social media or a job site. A UK company, which turns out not to exist, offers work and says a visa will be arranged. Then come fees: for processing, for a “sponsorship certificate”, for a medical, for courier delivery. Each is small enough to pay and the list never ends. GOV.UK’s online visa fraud advisory describes this: fake job and visa offers from fictitious UK companies, with payment requested through services such as Western Union or MoneyGram.
Claims that give it away
- “Guaranteed” approval. Only the Home Office decides an application, and it decides on the facts.
- Payment to a personal account or by transfer. Law-firm commentary reports that the Home Office never asks for payment by email or into a personal bank account.
- An ETA through an agent. External agents are not permitted to process ETAs. The fee on GOV.UK is £20, so a figure far above that is a mark-up or a scam.
- A “visa package” that includes a job. A job offer is made by an employer, not sold by a third party.
The law cuts both ways
Buying a false document is not a shortcut. Under section 24A of the Immigration Act 1971, a person who is not a British citizen and who obtains or seeks leave to enter or remain, or an ETA, by deception can face up to six months on summary conviction and up to two years on indictment. Using or possessing a document known or believed to be false is covered by section 26(1)(d), with a level 5 fine and/or six months on summary conviction. A refusal for deception also stays on your record. The wider table is on UK law on fake documents.
The safe route
Apply yourself on GOV.UK. For travel authorisation, see fake UK ETA websites. If you already hold status and need to prove it, the share code service is free. If you have paid someone already, the steps in what to do after paying a scammer apply here too, and you can report to Report Fraud.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone guarantee a UK visa?
No. The Home Office decides every application. A promise of guaranteed approval is a sign of a scam.
Can an agent apply for my UK ETA?
The Home Office does not allow external agents to process ETAs. The fee on GOV.UK is £20.
Is it a crime to use a fake document in a visa application?
It can be. Section 24A of the Immigration Act 1971 covers seeking leave by deception, and section 26(1)(d) covers using a document known or believed to be false.