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I have a problem. I overstayed my uk tourist visa for about 10 months and decided to return voluntarily. However during my exit in February 2016, I did not meet any immigration officer at the Heathrow Terminal 3 before boarding the plane. I just went through the normal boarding process everyone went through without getting my passport stamped as an overstayer. Now I have gained admission to study a master's program in September in the uk and would like to make an application for a visa at the uk embassy In my home country. Is there any likelihood that the visa officer might know I overstayed my first visa even though nothing shows in my passport? Any help please? Thank you. Note my passport was never expired so it's the same passport I came back with.

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The UK does not directly inspect passports on exit, so it is no surprise that you have no passport stamp. Instead, since April 2015, they have collected information from airline passenger manifests. They therefore almost certainly know about your overstay, in which case if you fail to mention it in your application you will almost certainly be banned for deception.

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  • Okk I understand phoog. I think I will just have to go with the truth and hope I get the visa based on merits. I have however served my one year ban on overstayers who live voluntarily and so I hope it doesn't affect my application. Thank you very much
    – Kenzy12
    Commented Apr 16, 2017 at 17:56
  • @kenzy12 they don't ask you on the form if you overstayed previously.
    – user58558
    Commented Apr 17, 2017 at 5:51
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    @greatone are you recommending that the applicant not mention the overstay?
    – phoog
    Commented Apr 17, 2017 at 6:30
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    @greatone what about the deception employed when Kenzy12 entered the UK the last time? There are questions on the site from people who are having trouble because they stayed longer than they said they would when they entered, even though they left within six months of entry. Really, things look very bad for Kenzy12, and failing to mention the overstay is almost certain to make them worse.
    – phoog
    Commented Apr 17, 2017 at 14:11
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    Thanks to everyone about your responses. I really appreciate it. I think I have to go with the truth to prevent further complications. Hopefully everything turns out well for me. Thanks to everyone on this platform. Bless
    – Kenzy12
    Commented Apr 19, 2017 at 6:43

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