Despite borders closing temporarily to prevent the spreading of
COVID-19, there has been a steady trend of increased international travel throughout
the decades, helped by the introduction and instant popularity of low-cost airlines.
For example, in a survey recently conducted, the average UK national made at least
one international trip per year in the period between 2011 – 2022. During this
period, the average traveler may have also experienced a number of personal changes,
from live changes that led to a new legal name, to relocations bringing with it a
new legal nationality.
It is therefore important to ensure that when applying for a visa, permit or
relocating to another country, that the traveler provides all relevant information
regarding their previous immigration and travel history. Below we examine some
factors that should be considered:
Previous travel to the host country: Identifying
previous travel to a country can have significant impact on applications, especially
where previous travel may restrict upcoming stay in the host country.
Immigration history: Having a visa or immigration
permit previously refused, or having been refused entry to country can impact an
application. It is therefore advisable to always be upfront about such situations.
Change of name: when submitting a visa or permit
application, it is important to include any previous official names a traveler has
held. Many governments will retain records of travelers and visa/permit applicants,
and failure to disclose a previous name can lead to delays or complications in
processing an application or in a worst-case scenario, could lead to refusal.
Changes in nationality: About 49% of countries
currently allow dual citizenship. If a traveler has obtained a second nationality
since their last travel to a country, it is easy to forget they have travelled on
their previous nationality. Like with any change of name, it is important to
disclose any change in nationality.
Immigration Insights
Should you have any questions on how past travel or name changes could affect your
travel document applications, please reach out to Newland Chase at [email protected] if you would like
to book a consultation with our immigration experts who can help you to navigate
immigration requirements.