UK Visa refused once under 320(7A), (false or forged document) and I want to apply again

TL;DR

Getting to the UK is not in the cards for you for a good, long time. That interval (i.e., a good, long time) is measured in decades.

Answer

You presented a false document and were refused under Part 9 of the Immigration Rules, specifically Paragraph 320 (7A)…

(7A) where false representations have been made or false documents or
information have been submitted (whether or not material to the
application, and whether or not to the applicant’s knowledge), or
material facts have not been disclosed, in relation to the application
or in order to obtain documents from the Secretary of State or a third
party required in support of the application.

This is a grave event in a person’s immigration history. The UK abhors deception and treats it as an affront to their national character. Accordingly, the applicant’s credibility is shot to Hell and getting another entry clearance is virtually impossible. Essentially it requires a judicial review lodged by an organisation like the JCWI and they have a backlog that goes from here to John O’Groats. The time window to lodge one by yourself has expired.

On to your questions…

That may be that they had fear of losing their employee but it was not
my fault.

Perhaps it was your fault, perhaps not. It doesn’t matter. Everybody in the world says it’s not their fault when they get caught, and the Tribunal is numb to that argument. Deception occurs when a forged document is presented and they do not care ‘whose fault’ it is ("…whether or not to the applicant’s knowledge…"). Even if the employer comes forward and admit that they lied in a sworn statement, it’s still your fault. Honestly, they get really upset about forged or fraudulent documents and they never forget it.

Could you please suggest if I should apply again?

You can apply again, or any time you want. You just fill out the form and pay the fee and nothing prevents that. BUT… The refusal notice explains that a prior refusal under Paragraph 320 (7A) is automatically considered under Paragraph 320 (7B) the next time…

(7B) where the applicant has previously breached the UK’s immigration
laws (and was 18 or over at the time of his most recent breach)by: (d)
using Deception in an application for entry clearance, leave to enter
or remain, or in order to obtain documents from the Secretary of State
or a third party required in support of the application (whether
successful or not);

And 7B spells DOOM. Under this Paragraph, the ECO has the option, but not the obligation, to impose a ban. Maybe he will, maybe he won’t, but the risk is usually unacceptable unless the applicant is represented by an established solicitor with a nationally recognised practice area in representing clients who have been refused for deception. There are about 5 of them and they charge fees that are heart stopping, well over a year’s salary for the average Indian national. If your new company will step up to the plate and instruct one, that would be great. Visit the Law Society or ILPA to locate one.

Having your new company step up to the plate would be an beneficial change of circumstances going heavily in your favour, especially if they have sponsored previous visitors. Better still, get the head office in Stockport to instruct a great solicitor on your behalf.

how I can explain to them that it was not my fault.

As explained, they don’t care, your explanation is irrelevant. But a solicitor with an established practice area in Paragraph 320 (7B) will know what to tell them. It’s their job to think up exculpatory language and to put it forward in an eloquent way, it’s how they make a living. I don’t know of anyone who regretted instructing a member of the Law Society to unsnarl something.

Technicality: the 10 year ban was created in 2008, so we do not have the field experience of knowing their policy for what happens to an applicant when their ban has expired. We can start finding out in 2018 when the first person who was banned for deception (a spouse who had separated from her husband and didn’t declare it to the IO) tries to apply. Currently it’s unknown.

Minor Technicality: you were also refused under Paragraph 41 of the rules. This paragraph was deleted from the rules in 2015 by an order from the Home Secretary. It may still be out there as a curious artefact in the Home Office’s archives, but it’s irrelevant and you cannot benefit from the fact that Paragraph 41 no longer exists.

Comments…

Patricia Shanahan asks: I think the OP is claiming that the document was valid, not forged, and therefore presenting it was not deceptive. Would it have helped if the OP had immediately challenged the claim that it was forged, and had presented good evidence of its validity?

It’s really a theoretical question from the past that must be informed by the way things worked in India in 2014. As a stand-alone question, the answer relies heavily, if not completely, upon opinion. Having said that, I doubt that immediate representations would have made a big difference, but that’s an opinion.

Introducing new evidence following an adverse decision is something the Tribunal has already ruled upon, and their ruling entitles the consulate to ignore new evidence. So no, immediate representations would not have been effective in my opinion.

What the OP could have done is to make a fresh application immediately from square 1, but presenting all the right evidence. This would have had a good chance of success in my opinion. At least that’s what I would have advised if I were convinced the OP was playing it straight-up. I think practitioners would agree that a fresh application is the cure when there’s a clear and single evidential shortfall. But the OP didn’t do that, and other theoretical questions about what might have worked or not worked two years ago are outside this site’s format.

In comments, the OP asks a fair question: I checked on Law Society and there are many solicitors who practice Immigration & VISA. I will try contacting them. I am aware about the fee and it should be okay with me. I will try hiring one, if you have any suggestions?

I can’t suggest one because it might be spamish, but I can tell you that Sophie Barrett-Brown gets called in to give oral evidence before Parliament all the time. And Barry O’Leary meets regularly with the Home Office Policy Unit on entry clearance matters. And Sonu Vijn speaks 4 languages native to southern Asia. And Pat Saini co-chairs ILPA’s Personal Migration Subcommittee. Julia Onslow-Cole has a nationally recognised practice area representing high-net-worth clients. It’s not spamish because few could argue that they are not recognised industry leaders. As I mentioned earlier when it comes time to discuss fees, get ready for a shock.

Disclaimer: I have known all of them for over a decade, plus they all know each other. And as we all know it’s against the Commissioner’s Code to tout a solicitor for compensation anyway.