Guidance

Grounds for refusal – criminality: caseworker guidance

Immigration staff guidance on criminal history for entry clearance applications in the UK.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Published: 1 December 2020
• Last updated: 11 November 2025 — See all updates

Documents

Suitability: grounds for refusal / cancellation – criminality (accessible)

HTML

Suitability: grounds for refusal / cancellation – criminality

PDF, 413 KB, 35 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

UK Visas and Immigration guidance for staff on how criminal history is relevant to applications for entry clearance, permission to enter or permission to stay in the UK.

Published 1 December 2020

Last updated 11 November 2025 + show all updates

1. 11 November 2025

   Changes to reflect Part Suitability replacing Part 9: grounds for refusal of the Immigration Rules.

2. 18 January 2024

   Minor updates to reflect the introduction of Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs). Related content

3. 9 November 2021

   Updated guidance.

4. 1 December 2020

   First published.