Consequences of being removed or deported for return to the UK

Even voluntary departure from the UK may have consequences for a person in relation to re-entry to the UK, if that person is on record with the Home Office as an “illegal entrant”, an overstayer, or someone who has breached a condition attached to their leave [1]. At the more extreme end of the spectrum, a person who is deported from the UK will have a mandatory ban on re-entry for a ten years and cannot lawfully return to the UK for as long as their deportation order is in force.

A person who has been removed from the UK may apply for leave to enter the UK, once the period during which any re-entry ban is in place has concluded. The fact that they have previously been removed from the UK may make it more difficult to get leave to enter the UK at a later date.

After being removed or deported from the UK, an individual can apply to re-enter the UK or to revoke their deportation order from abroad respectively. A successful application to revoke a deportation order does not mean the individual will automatically be granted re-entry to the UK but simply that they can apply to re-enter through a lawful route. For more advice on applying to revoke a deportation order, individuals should be signposted to immigration solicitors. Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) may also be able to provide advice and assistance with revoking deportation orders but individuals should note that they may not always have capacity to provide full representation as they are a small charity.

For more information on revoking a deportation order on the basis of an individual’s private and/or family life, BID has a guide that is accessible here.

---

For more information refer to Home Office Guidance (2021), Re-entry Bans https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6061de1ee90e072d94e6f91b/Re-entry_Ban_Guidance_v8.00.pdf