ETA related query regarding entry to the UK on Australian passport
ETA Query for UK Entry on an Australian Passport
I’m planning a trip to the UK next month with my wife and kids. We’re all Australian citizens now, but my wife was denied a visitor visa 20 years ago while she was still using her Indian passport. When I filled out her ETA application, I auto-filled her responses to match mine and the kids’, but later I recalled the previous visa refusal.
I can’t quite remember if the ETA application included a question about prior entry refusals. I do recall it asked about criminal records (which we don’t have) and if we hold any other nationality (we don’t, as we renounced our Indian citizenship upon obtaining Australian citizenship).
Should I play it safe and have her apply for a regular visitor visa instead? Or should we take a chance and just hope everything goes smoothly?
For context, she has successfully visited the US twice despite having faced a refusal for a US visa on her Indian passport, with no issues at immigration. Can we expect a similar outcome in the UK?
Thank you!
It’s understandable to be concerned about the past visa refusal when applying for a new entry document. Since your wife was refused a visit visa 20 years ago, it might be a good idea to err on the side of caution and apply for a regular visit visa instead of the ETA.
While the ETA application may not have explicitly asked about past refusals, providing accurate and complete information is crucial in any visa application process. If there is a question about previous visa refusals on the regular visit visa application, it’s important for her to disclose the past refusal. Being transparent about her history can help avoid any potential complications at the border.
The fact that she had successful entries into the US despite a past visa refusal does not necessarily guarantee a similar experience with the UK. Different countries have their own immigration policies and criteria, and the UK might scrutinize past visa refusals differently.
In summary, it would be safer for her to apply for a regular visit visa given the circumstances. This way, you can ensure that all details are disclosed and reduce the risk of complications upon arrival in the UK.