overstayed and worked.now wanting to come back legally

[rafasreds]

Hi guys.i overstayed my visa for nine years,working the last 4years.Im married to a uk citizen and were wanting to go back to australia to return on proper visa...My question is will the people that issue visas know that i worked ,i know im looking at a 1year ban if i leave without getting deported but will i get banned for longer if they find out ive been working...need advice, thanx.jst want to go home and sort this mess

[Lucapooka]

If you were issued an NI number or paid tax in your real name, they will know that you worked. Nine years is a long time and you must have left some evidence of your presence. A ban is not applied in the case of settlement applications (so you are mistaken to think this) but you can be refused, and there is no time limit on such refusals (it can be applied each and every time you apply). You should be prepared to be totally honest in the application and take legal advice on how to prepare for refusals under 320(11).