Guidance on Grounds for Refusal due to Criminality

March 26, 2026 · WOWERI

UK immigration staff must consider criminal history when reviewing visa applications. This guidance provides information on how this is done.

Introduction

The guidance on grounds for refusal due to criminality is intended for UK immigration staff. It provides information on how to consider criminal history when reviewing visa applications.

Assessment Criteria

When assessing visa applications, immigration staff must consider the following criteria:

• Severity of the offense: More serious offenses may lead to a visa refusal.
• Date of the offense: Recent offenses may carry more weight than those committed in the past.
• Repeat offenses: Repeat offenses may lead to a visa refusal.

Application Review Procedure

Immigration staff must follow the established procedure when reviewing visa applications. This includes:

• Document verification: Verifying the documents submitted by the applicant for authenticity and completeness.
• Application assessment: Assessing the application against the criteria outlined above.
• Decision-making: Making a decision to grant or refuse a visa based on the application assessment.

Conclusion

The guidance on grounds for refusal due to criminality is an important tool for UK immigration staff. It helps ensure that visa applications are reviewed thoroughly and fairly.

Source: gov.uk