Key terms: Public Interest Criterion – 4020 – False or misleading information – Bogus documents – Visa cancellation – Visa refusal
UPDATE:
The Legislative Instrument which introduced the change has been disallowed on 5 December 2017. This means that all future applications will be subject to 12 months' of consideration for PIC4020.
Applications which were lodged between 18 November 2017 to 4 December 2017 will be subject to the 10 years' consideration.
Conditions targeting fraudulent or misleading information in visa applications made much tougher – PIC 4020 soon to cover last 10 years
Section 4020 is currently targeting bogus documents or information that is false and misleading provided to the Australian Government in the last 12 months prior to an application.
The changes will extend the time to documents and information provided in the last 10 years.
Here is a description of the changes:
PIC 4020 (1)(b) which relates to bogus documents, has been amended to broaden the powers to refuse a visa on the basis of bogus or fraudulent documents submitted in relation to visa applications:
- In the previous 10 years, rather than the previous 12 months; and
- In relation to previous visa applications, as well as visas previously granted
