The British High Commission in Port Louis says those who have used deception - used a false document, lied, withheld information - in a previous application will be banned from the UK for 10 years.

Those who have breached immigration laws will be banned from coming back to the UK for a lengthy period, depending on how the individual left the country after his or her breach of law - one year for those who voluntarily left on their own expense; five years for those who left at public expense; and 10 years for those who were removed or deported.

The High Commission says the measures are taken to warn law breakers of the clear sanctions they'll face and to encourage those who are currently in the UK illegally to leave on their own accord. However, the new law will not apply to those who left the UK voluntarily between March 17 and October 1, 2007.

All applicants for a visa will henceforth be required to provide fingerscans as part of their application process to help identify if they have previously broken UK rules or have made an application in a different name.

The High Commission says the tough rule targets a minority of individuals who try to abuse the rules. It adds the developments are good news for the majority of travellers as it will allow UK visas to be processed more quickly.