uk tourist visa rejection appeal

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• Visas and immigration
• Immigration appeals and status problems

Visa and immigration reconsideration requests

You might be able to ask for the decision on your visa or immigration application to be reviewed if you applied in the UK.

This is known as a ‘reconsideration request’. It isn’t a formal appeal or an administrative review . You can’t ask for a reconsideration if you have a right to an appeal or a review.

When you can make a reconsideration request

You can make a reconsideration request if you believe immigration rules or policies weren’t followed correctly when the decision was made.

You must be in the UK to make the request.

You can only make a request if you applied in the UK to:

• transfer your visa to a biometric residence permit - known as a ‘transfer of conditions’ ( TOC )
• transfer your indefinite leave to remain to a biometric residence permit - known as ‘no time limit’ ( NTL )
• extend your leave, switch your visa or settle in the UK

You can make a request if your application for TOC , NTL or leave to remain was successful but you believe the type or the expiry date of the leave is wrong.

You can also make a request if your TOC or NTL application was refused and you have any of the following:

• new evidence about the date of the application
• new evidence to prove that your documents were authentic
• evidence that information received by UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) before the decision date was not available to the team who made the decision

These are the only kinds of new evidence that you can use. You can’t make a request if it relates to any other sort of new evidence that wasn’t received by UKVI before the decision date.

Read the guidance on reconsidering visa or immigration decisions and use the information in your decision or refusal letter to decide if you can make a request.

When you can’t make a reconsideration request

You can’t make a reconsideration request if you have a right of appeal or right to an administrative review against the decision.

Your decision letter will usually tell you if you have either of these rights.

When your request will be rejected

Your reconsideration request will be rejected if you:

• make a new application before or after you send the request
• have since been given permission to stay in another visa category
• left the UK and your permission to stay has expired
• were removed or deported from the UK
• have already exhausted your appeal rights or lost your case in a judicial review
• need to make an appeal or apply for an administrative review instead of making a reconsideration request

How to make a request

Write a letter saying why you think the decision was wrong. Refer to the rules or policy under which you applied - check the guidance for your application to find the right rules or policies.

Send your request to the team who made the decision on your original application - the address will be shown on the decision letter.

You must make your request as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after you get the decision on your application.

You can only make one reconsideration request.

Legacy requests

If you made your request before 13 November 2012 (known as a ‘legacy request’) and your immigration status is still not resolved that request will still be considered as long as you meet the guidance requirements .

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• Immigration

Appealing a UK Visa Refusal: Your Guide to the UK Visa Refusal Appeal Process

Want to appeal a uk visa refusal learn about the uk visa refusal appeal process and how to navigate it successfully. get your visa refusal overturned..

Key Takeaways:

• Understand why your UK visa was refused by reviewing the refusal letter from the UK Home Office.
• Some visa categories can be appealed, while others cannot; check your eligibility before proceeding.
• Follow the step-by-step guide to appeal a UK visa refusal, including filling out the IAFT-1 form within 28 days.

Have you recently experienced a UK visa refusal? Understandably, this can be a discouraging roadblock on your journey to the UK. However, there are steps you can take to contest the decision. Here’s what you need to know about the UK visa refusal appeal process—including how you can challenge the decision if you believe it has been unfairly made.

Understanding Your UK Visa Refusal

Before you embark on an appeal, it’s important to understand why your visa was refused. The refusal letter you’ve received from the UK Home Office will detail the reasons for the decision. It’s crucial to review these reasons carefully, as they will inform your next steps.

Can I Appeal a UK Visa Refusal?

Not all UK visa refusals can be appealed. For instance, if you have applied for a visitor visa, short-term study visa, or Parent of a Child student visa, you typically do not have the right to appeal. However, if your application falls under a category that has the right to appeal, like a family visa or a points-based system visa after a human rights claim, you can follow the appeal process.

The Appeal Process for a UK Visa Refusal

To initiate the appeal process, you must first fill out the appropriate form, which is the IAFT-1 Appeal Form for those outside the UK. It is essential to submit your appeal within the given timeframe—usually 28 days after receiving the refusal notice if you’re outside the UK.

Also of Interest:

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• Understand the Reasons for Refusal : Review the refusal letter diligently.
• Check Your Right to Appeal : Ensure that your visa category is eligible for an appeal.
• Gather Supporting Documents : Compile relevant documents that support your case.
• Legal Representation : Consider acquiring the services of an immigration solicitor.
• Fill out the IAFT-1 Appeal Form : Complete the form accurately.
• Submit Your Appeal : Do this within the stipulated time frame.
• Await the Tribunal Decision : The Tribunal will review your case and make a decision.

During the process, you can add new information or documents that you did not include in your initial application. The appeal is then reviewed by an independent tribunal that has the power to overturn the visa decision.

Seeking Professional Assistance

Appealing a UK visa refusal decision can be complex; therefore, seeking professional help is often beneficial. Immigration lawyers or advisors can provide you with tailored guidance through the process.

Tips for a Strong Visa Appeal

• Provide Detailed Explanations : Include clear explanations for any issues raised in your visa refusal.
• Submit Credible Evidence : New or additional documents should be credible and relevant to your appeal.
• Engage Expert Services : Consider the value an experienced immigration lawyer can add to your case.

Key Things to Remember

• The appeal must be filed within 28 days if you are outside the UK.
• There might be a fee attached to the appeal, so it’s important to budget for this.
• The appeal process can take several months, so patience is required.

The outcome of the appeal might be favorable, or it could be that the original decision is upheld. If the latter happens, you can consider further legal advice, which may include the option to re-apply or to escalate the appeal within the legal system.

Links to Official Resources

For more information on the visa appeal process, always refer to the official UK government resources. Here are some useful links:

• UK Visa and Immigration Homepage
• HM Courts & Tribunals Service

Remember, while a visa refusal can feel like a setback, there are authoritative routes in place to appeal the decision. With the right approach and possible professional guidance, you can navigate the UK visa refusal appeal process to rectify the situation and move forward with your plans.

Expert Insights

Did You Know?

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The United Kingdom has an interesting immigration law dating back to 1324 called the “Aliens Act.” This law required all foreigners to register with the government and carry documentation proving their legal status. Failure to comply could result in banishment or even death.

Australia has a points-based immigration system that assesses applicants based on factors such as age, language proficiency, education, work experience, and more. This system has been in place since 1979 and aims to attract skilled immigrants who can contribute to the country’s economy.

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These fascinating and lesser-known facts about immigration shed light on the diverse approaches countries take to manage immigrants and enhance their societies. Immigration is a complex and ever-evolving field, with various laws, policies, and cultural nuances that shape the experiences of individuals seeking to move to a new country.

Learn today

Glossary or Definitions

• UK visa refusal: The denial of a visa application by the UK Home Office due to various reasons, as stated in the refusal letter.

Appeal: A formal process through which an applicant can challenge a UK visa refusal decision by submitting a request to an independent tribunal for a review.

Refusal letter: A document issued by the UK Home Office that explains the reasons for the visa refusal decision.

Visitor visa: A type of visa that allows individuals to travel to the UK for tourism, business meetings, or visiting family and friends for a limited period.

Short-term study visa: A visa category for individuals who wish to undertake a short term course or study program in the UK.

Parent of a Child student visa: A visa category for parents who want to accompany their child to the UK while they study.

Family visa: A visa category that enables family members, such as spouses, partners, children, or parents, to join or remain with their UK resident family members.

Points-based system visa: A visa category in the UK that is based on a points system and is available for skilled workers, investors, entrepreneurs, and students.

IAFT-1 Appeal Form: The official form, designated by the UK Home Office, that needs to be completed to initiate the appeal process for those outside the UK.

Immigration solicitor: A legal professional specializing in immigration law who can provide legal advice and representation in immigration matters.

Independent tribunal: An impartial body authorized to review visa appeal cases and make decisions based on the merits of the appeal.

Credible evidence: Documents or information that are reliable, trustworthy, and relevant to support the applicant’s case during the appeal process.

Legal representation: The act of being represented by a qualified immigration lawyer or advisor during the visa appeal process.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service: The official UK government service responsible for the administration of courts and tribunals, including the First-tier Tribunal for Immigration and Asylum cases.

Re-apply: The option to submit a new visa application after a refusal, providing updated and additional information that addresses the reasons for refusal.

Escalate the appeal: The process of seeking further legal advice and pursuing additional legal avenues, such as judicial review, after an unsuccessful appeal.

Official UK government resources: The authorized sources provided by the UK government that offer accurate and up-to-date information on visa regulations, procedures, and appeal processes.

Budget: Allocate funds for the fee associated with filing an appeal, as well as any additional costs that may arise during the appeal process.

Patience: The ability to remain calm and to wait for the outcome of the visa appeal process, which can take several months.

So, there you have it! The UK visa refusal appeal process demystified. It may seem daunting, but armed with the right knowledge and a sprinkle of patience, you can contest that decision. If you want to dive deeper into this topic and explore other visa-related info, hop over to visaverge.com. Trust me, it’s geeky fun you won’t want to miss!

FAQ’s to know:

FAQ 1: What are the steps to appeal a UK visa refusal?

To appeal a UK visa refusal, follow these steps:

• Understand the Reasons for Refusal: Carefully review the refusal letter to understand the specific grounds for the decision.
• Check Your Right to Appeal: Determine if your visa category is eligible for an appeal. Some visas, like visitor visas or short-term study visas, typically do not have the right to appeal.
• Gather Supporting Documents: Collect relevant documents that support your case and address the reasons for refusal.
• Legal Representation: Consider hiring an immigration solicitor for professional assistance throughout the appeal process.
• Fill out the IAFT-1 Appeal Form: Accurately complete the appeal form, which is the IAFT-1 Appeal Form for those outside the UK.
• Submit Your Appeal: Make sure to submit your appeal within the given timeframe, usually 28 days after receiving the refusal notice if you’re outside the UK.
• Await the Tribunal Decision: The independent tribunal will review your case and make a decision.

Remember, during the appeal process, you can submit new information or documents that were not included in your initial application. The tribunal has the authority to overturn the visa decision.

FAQ 2: Can all UK visa refusals be appealed?

No, not all UK visa refusals can be appealed. For visas such as visitor visas, short-term study visas, or Parent of a Child student visas, the right to appeal is typically not available. However, certain categories, such as family visas or points-based system visas after a human rights claim, have the right to appeal. It’s essential to check if your visa category is eligible for an appeal based on the specific circumstances of your case.

FAQ 3: Are there any tips for a strong UK visa refusal appeal?

Here are some tips to strengthen your UK visa refusal appeal:

• Provide Detailed Explanations: Clearly explain any issues raised in the refusal letter and address them in your appeal.
• Submit Credible Evidence: Include new or additional documents that are relevant and credible, supporting your appeal.
• Engage Expert Services: Consider hiring an experienced immigration lawyer or advisor who can provide tailored guidance and enhance your case.

These tips can help strengthen your appeal and improve your chances of a favorable outcome. However, appealing a UK visa refusal can be complex, so seeking professional assistance is often beneficial.

What did you learn? Answer below to know:

• True/False: Can all UK visa refusals be appealed?
• What is the appropriate form to fill out for those outside the UK who want to initiate the appeal process for their UK visa refusal?
• What are some tips for a strong visa appeal in the UK?

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How to challenge a visit visa refusal by Judicial Review

The largest category of entry clearance visas granted are visit visas issued to those who want to visit the UK. We are receiving an increasing number of enquiries from those who have been refused a visit visa and want advice on how to challenge this .

There are few mandatory documents required as part of the application and broad discretion afforded to entry clearance officers (‘ECOs’). This means that visit visa refusal decisions are often poorly reasoned, fail to engage with the evidence, suffer from factual errors or are wrong in law.

There are three options available if this happens: (1) re-apply (2) appeal, or (3) pursue a Judicial Review.

Why pursue a Judicial Review?

If all available supporting evidence was provided with the application and you do not agree with the concerns raised by the ECO in the refusal decision, making a new application may be inappropriate. The refusal decision will be taken as a starting point for any new application, and an ECO is likely to refuse a new application on the same basis if they do not consider their concerns to have been addressed.  

Since July 2013, there has only been a right of appeal for a visit visa application to the First-tier Tribunal on human rights grounds. Not all visit visa applications engage human rights. The Home Office guidance on considering human rights claims from visitors sets out limited circumstances in which it considers human rights to be engaged. The issue will only be considered by a judge upon lodging an appeal, following which a judge may decide after months of waiting that human rights are not engaged, and there is therefore no jurisdiction to hear an appeal.

Where a new application or an appeal are unsuitable, pursuing a Judicial Review may be appropriate.

Judicial Review Process

Judicial review can only be pursued where there is no adequate alternative remedy. It is a challenge to the lawfulness of the decision made, whereby a judge will consider whether the law has been correctly applied and the right procedures have been followed. As it is not a review of the substantive merits of the application, no further evidence can be submitted at this stage. A judicial review application must be lodged within 3 months of the refusal decision.

Grounds for challenging a visit visa refusal

When considering whether there are arguable grounds that the decision was unlawful, the following matters may be relevant:

• Has the ECO correctly applied the relevant law as set out at Appendix V of the Immigration Rules?
• Is the decision in accordance with the Home Office published policy on visitors?
• Has the ECO taken into account all material considerations/ evidence?
• Has the ECO taken into account immaterial considerations?
• Has the ECO made a factual error?
• Has the ECO provided sufficient reasons to enable you to effectively challenge the refusal decision or to reapply?
• Is the decision Wednesbury unreasonable, i.e. so unreasonable that no reasonable decision-maker, acting reasonably, could have made the decision?

Pre-action Protocol on Judicial Review

Prior to lodging a Judicial Review application, a ‘ letter before claim ’ should be sent to the Home Office, setting out the grounds for challenging the decision and giving the Home Office a chance to reconsider their own decision.  The grounds will be reviewed by an Entry Clearance Manager who may overturn the decision of the ECO. The Home Office should be given a minimum of 14 days to respond. The service of this letter could be sufficient to cause the Home Office to overturn their decision.

If, however, the decision is maintained, or there is no response to the letter, you can then lodge a Judicial Review claim in the Upper Tribunal.  This will cause your application to be reviewed by the Government Legal Department. If the decision is maintained, the case will be considered by a judge.  

Contact our Immigration Barristers

For information or advice about challenging a visit visa refusal, contact our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or via our enquiry form.

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UK Visit Visa Refusal – What can I do?

Introduction

Securing a visit visa to the United Kingdom is a meticulous process, and a refusal can be disheartening. However, all is not lost. There are avenues for applicants to challenge a refusal and seek a reconsideration of their case. In this article, we will explore the various options available to challenge a UK visit visa refusal and increase your chances of a successful outcome.

Understanding the Visit Visa Refusal Letter

Upon receiving a refusal, it is crucial to carefully review the refusal letter. This document outlines the reasons for the refusal. Common grounds for refusal of UK visit visa’s include insufficient supporting documentation, financial discrepancies, doubts regarding the purpose of the visit, and concerns about the applicant’s intentions to return to their home country.

Can you Appeal a UK Visit Visa Refusal?

Whilst there is no direct right of appeal to the First Tier Tribunal, all is not lost.  The following options are available:

Option 1 – Administrative Review

If you believe that the refusal decision is unjustified, you may opt for an Administrative Review. This process allows applicants to challenge the decision without filing a new application. To initiate an Administrative Review, you must complete the request form provided with your refusal letter and submit it within 28 days of receiving the decision.

Points to Consider for Administrative Review

Accuracy of Information: Ensure that all information provided in your initial application is accurate and supported by appropriate documentation.

Review the Guidelines: Familiarise yourself with the UK Visas and Immigration guidelines to understand the specific requirements for the visa category you applied for.

Seek Professional Advice: If in doubt, consider seeking legal advice or assistance from immigration experts who can guide you through the review process.  You can contact our experts here .

Option 2 – Reapplying for a Visit Visa

In some cases, reapplying for a visit visa with a more robust application may be a viable option. Address the concerns raised in the refusal letter, provide additional supporting documents, and present a compelling case that demonstrates your eligibility for the visa. Be sure to adhere to the guidance provided in the refusal letter to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Points to Consider for Reapplication:

Address Refusal Points: Clearly address and rectify the issues mentioned in the refusal letter.  This can be done in a strong and comprehensive cover letter submitted with the application.

New Supporting Documents: Include additional and relevant documents to strengthen your case.

Refine Travel Plans: If necessary, provide a more detailed itinerary, including accommodation arrangements, to clarify the purpose and duration of your visit.

Option 3 – Judicial Review

In some cases, there may be merit in pursuing a judicial review.   This is a legal process by which the decision of the entry clearance officer is scrutinised against principles of fairness.   If there are grounds to show that the decision of the entry clearance officer was unfair or did not follow a reasonable process, this could form the basis of a judicial review case.

Common grounds for a Judicial Review in the context of a visit visa refusal include:

• Procedural Impropriety: Errors in the decision-making process, such as not considering all relevant evidence or failing to follow established procedures.
• Irrationality: The decision is so unreasonable that no reasonable decision-maker could have arrived at the same conclusion based on the evidence.
• Illegality: The decision goes against the law, either by misinterpreting it or applying it incorrectly.
• Unfairness: The decision is unfair or biased, possibly due to a failure to consider relevant factors or giving undue weight to irrelevant ones.

We have a number of success stories whereby we have been able to overturn a refusal of a Visitor Visa, by challenging the Home Office decision through the Judicial Review process.

Challenging a visit visa refusal requires a strategic approach and careful consideration of refusal points. Whether opting for an Administrative Review, reapplying, or judicial review, our experts are on-hand to guide you through this process.

How can Batley Law help with my UK Visitor Visa Application?

To stand a better chance of success, it is important that you receive advice from an early stage.

For every case, we will:

• Advise you of the requirements that apply to your case;
• Provide you with a list of documents that you should collate as evidence to support the application;
• Check all of your documents to ensure they comply with the requirements;
• Complete the online application;
• Arrange the visa appointment;
• Draft a detailed letter of representations to go with your application.

If you would like our assistance with your spouse application,  get in touch  today.

By Waseem Nazir

Waseem Nazir is one of the specialist immigration lawyers at Batley Law. If you would like to speak to Waseem or any of our team, you can fill out our contact form and one of our team will be in touch.

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UK Visitor Visa Refusal Reasons and What to Do

By Amar Ali, Immigration Solicitor

If your UK visitor visa is refused by the Home Office you will receive a letter or email explaining the reason for the decision. There are several reasons why your visitor visa may have been refused, as we will explore in this article. Thankfully, by taking early and appropriate action, it is possible to overcome a UK visitor visa refusal, allowing you to come to the UK.

What to do if your UK Visitor visa is refused

If your visitor visa has been refused, it is important to check the reasons of refusal. You may have a range of possible options available based on the refusal reasons, such as:

• UK visitor visa refusal appeal

Judicial review

Reapplying for a uk visitor visa.

• Applying for a different visa

Can you appeal a visitor visa refusal?

In most cases, you will only have the right to appeal a visitor visa refusal UK on human rights grounds under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to respect for private and family life). To appeal, you will need to make a strong case that your intended visit should be approved because it invokes your human rights. Unfortunately, in many cases, appeal judges will simply decide that you do not have the right to appeal on human rights grounds. To make this assessment, they will look at whether:

• Your visit visa application states that it is a human rights claim
• Your human rights claim is implied or explicit
• You have a human rights case, and
• Your human rights claim has any real prospect of success.

If you didn’t make it clear that your visitor visa application was human rights related, there is a strong chance your appeal may be rejected.

If the decision to refuse your visitor visa was unlawful, you may be able to request a judicial review of your case. A judicial review may be an option if the refusal of your visitor visa was illegal, unreasonable, due to procedural impropriety and unfairness, or it breached the Human Rights Act 1998 or EU law.

However, in reality, bringing a judicial review for a visitor visa is not recommended in most cases. Judicial reviews involve a complex and lengthy legal process and, as such, should only ever be considered as a last resort.

It is often faster, cheaper, and easier to simply prepare and submit a new visitor visa application. This is especially so if you made innocent mistakes on your UK visa application or did not provide the necessary information in your original visitor application, which led to the refusal. On the other hand, if the reasons for a UK visitor visa refusal suggest that you are not eligible for this visa type, reapplying is not likely to lead to a different result.

Apply for a different visa

If you did not make any errors in your visitor visa application and there is no way around the reasons for your refusal, you may be able to apply for different UK visa types instead.

If you plan to come to the UK for a short stay, you may be able to consider visas such as the Paid Permitted Engagement visa or Youth Mobility Visa . If you would like to come to the UK for a longer stay, you may be able to apply for a UK work visa (e.g. the Skilled Worker visa ) or a family visa to join your partner or spouse in the UK. Depending on which visa you apply for, you may be able to extend your stay and even gain UK residency after a qualifying period (normally 5 years).

Common reasons for visitor visa refusal

Visitor visas may be refused for a wide range of reasons, including where the Home Office believes that you:

• Are not a genuine visitor
• Do not meet the suitability requirements
• Do not meet sufficient funds or accommodation

Genuine visitor

Permitted reasons to come to the UK on a visitor visa include tourism, visiting friends or family, volunteering for a charity, attending an interview, studying, or medical treatment.

The Home Office will refuse your visitor visa application if they reason to believe you are not a genuine visitor. This will be the case if they believe you will stay unlawfully in the UK beyond the expiry of your visa, you are not coming to the UK for a permitted reason, or you will use a visitor visa as a way of living in the UK.

When assessing if you are a genuine visitor, the Home Office may look at:

• Your personal circumstances, including your immigration history
• Whether you have family or economic ties in your home country
• The reasons you have given for your stay, and
• Whether there are differences between what you stated in your application and any statement made by your sponsor.

Suitability requirements

The Home Office may refuse your visitor visa application on suitability grounds if you:

• Have been deported from the UK in the past
• Have been sentenced to prison – whether you are refused will depend on the nature of the crime, duration of the sentence, when you finished serving the sentence, and whether you are a persistent offender
• Have been involved in a sham marriage in the past
• Have provided false information and/or documents to the Home Office in the past
• Did not provide adequate information
• Owe debts of £500 or more to the NHS

Sufficient funds or accommodation

Your visitor visa application may also be refused if you do not have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay or have suitable accommodation. Where necessary, you can ask family members, friends, and others with who you have a genuine personal or professional relationship to support you during your stay.

How can Reiss Edwards help?

Reiss Edwards is a leading immigration law firm based in Central London. Our immigration lawyers specialise in assisting visitors coming to the UK, whether for tourism, to visit friends or family, for medical treatment, or any other permitted person. Our team of immigration solicitors can help you with:

• Checking if you are eligible for a UK visitor visa
• Checking if you have any other UK visa options available
• Advising how to overcome any difficulties with your UK visitor visa
• Applying for your short or long-term visitor visa on your behalf and of your family members
• Dealing with any questions or requests for additional information from the Home Office
• Overcoming a refusal of your visitor visa

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Judicial Review for Visit Visa Refusal

UK Visit Visa Refusal: How to challenge the decision?

Visitor Visa applications get refused for different reasons. The only remedy available to challenge the decision is through Appeal (only if there is human rights grounds) or Judicial Review. Standard Visitor Visa allows you to enter into the UK for business visits, medical treatment, a holiday, or to visit family and for few other purpose. It is really devastating when visitor visas applications are refused, leading to cancellation of family reunions and business meetings.

If you have had your UK Standard Visitor Visa application refused, you may be able to appeal on human rights grounds or make an application for permission to judicial review. If you are successful in one of these methods, it will lead to grant you a UK Standard Visitor Visa.

Our expert lawyers have an in-depth understanding of the appeals and judicial review process arising out of visit visa refusals. We will guide you on the best course of action, including the Pre-action Protocol for Judicial Review, and quickly advise you if your case provides an opportunity to appeal on human rights grounds.

At A Y & J Solicitors, we will take the time to carefully examine why your visit visa application was refused and advise you on the best course of action to take. We can advise you to re-apply or appeal or pursue a Judicial Review analysing your case and unique circumstances. You can be confident that as an SRA regulated firm, we will act with the utmost integrity and direct you to the cost-effective path explaining the chance of success.

Appeals and judicial review can be a complex process. Fortunately, our years of experience mean our clients can trust that their challenge to the refusal will be correctly submitted, and the process explained to them in a clear, concise manner.

Contact A Y & J Solicitors today!

Can i appeal if my application for a uk standard visitor visa is refused.

If your UK Standard Visitor Visa is refused, you only have a right to appeal if your application contains a human rights grounds. We experienced that it is very rare as not all visit visa applications engage human rights. Home Office guidance explains under which circumstances applicant’s human rights claims can be valid. Most commonly, applications for appeals are made under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Article 8 of the ECHR reads:

Article 8 – Right to respect for private and family life

• Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
• There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

This route is not always recommended as after paying the appeal fee and legal fees and waiting for a significant time, the Judge at First-tier Tribunal may decide that the refusal of visit visa did not engage human rights grounds and therefore there is no right of appeal in first place. The client may waste the time, money and energy by appealing the decision. However, when there is appeal rights available based on strong grounds of human rights violation , we will do our best to prepare a strong appeal case for you.

Judicial Review could be a suitable option when there are no appeal rights available or the visit visa application is getting refused twice or more based on same unlawful / unfair reasons.

What is the UK Visit Visa Refusal Judicial Review Process?

Judicial review is the process whereby the judges of the Administrative Division of the High Court, and the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) exercise jurisdiction over the lawfulness of acts or omissions of public bodies such as UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and a supervisory jurisdiction over inferior courts and tribunals.

The grounds for Judicial Review include:

• illegality, i.e. where there was an error of law in the making of the decision
• irrationality or unreasonableness
• procedural impropriety and unfairness
• the decision was in breach of the Human Rights Act 1998 (usually involving an assessment of proportionality), and
• the decision breaches EU law

Judicial Review is a remedy of last resort.  Prior to commencing an application, we help you to investigate all other dispute resolution methods.

Do you have a way to calculate the Visitor Visa UK cost?

Yes! Use our calculator below to calculate your Visitor Visa Visa cost.

Please answer the questions and you will be able to calculate the approx. cost for The Visitor Visa –

How to Challenge UK Visa Refusal Through Judicial Review?

After gathering all evidence in support of your case, our experienced legal team will attempt to negotiate with UKVI through a letter containing a detailed legal representation which is legally known as Pre-Action Protocol letter.

This is the first stage of applying for Judicial Review. The Pre-Action Protocol is designed to allow applicants to set out their case to UKVI and reach an out of court settlement, if possible. Following the Pre-Action Protocol, UKVI will send a response to the ‘Letter Before Claim’ we have sent, ideally within 14 days. The possible outcome would be either agree to reconsider the visitor visa application or to maintain the refusal decision and advising to proceed with the Judicial Review.

Our team understands the judicial review process and will swiftly advise if it is the best option for you. We aim that judicial review challenges are resolved at the Pre-Action Protocol stage, saving our clients time, stress and money.

When UKVI upheld the refusal decision or does not respond to Pre-action Protocol, we then can initiate Judicial Review proceeding on behalf of you. Government Legal Department (GLD) will act on behalf of UKVI and submit their response at the Acknowledgement of Service stage. If the decision is maintained, the case will be considered by a judge of the Upper Tribunal.

Time is of the essence in a Judicial Review matter as any challenge must be made as soon as possible and in any event within three months of the refusal decision.

Why Use A Y & J Solicitors to Manage Your Appeal or Judicial Review for Visitor Visa Refusal?

At A Y & J Solicitors, we have over ten years’ experience in assisting applicants for UK Standard Visitor Visa, sometimes in urgent circumstances. We understand the process and have a strong reputation for achieving successful results for business visitors, family visitors and tourists from all over the world.

Have a question?

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A y & j solicitors’ review.

My experience with A Y & J Solicitors was really good. Very detailed and knowledgeable. All my questions were answered on time. They are very approachable and friendly. I would highly recommend them – it may be very simple query or a very complex case; you can trust them.

Regards Tarun

Having found myself in a rather sticky situation I was desperate for advice/help/guidance. I found A Y & J Solicitors through a friend and with in minutes into my first phone call to them, felt a sense of tremendous peace of mind which I had longed for. Mr Yash spoke very professionally and together with his team went on to do the almost impossible and secure an ‘Out of time’ extremely complicated Tier 2 application for myself and a spouse visa for my wife. Yes they are expensive. But their services are well worth it. They are direct & almost every step of the way they were transparent and kept me updated on the status as and when they knew anything. With out a doubt, I can easily say that our experience with them has been fantastic and would highly recommend their services to any one i know that is looking for a good immigration solicitor. Keep up the excellent work Mr. Yash. God Bless. Thumbs up to the excellent team they have.

I went to Globevisas on a friend’s recommendation and I’m glad I did that. These guys are very helpful and they know what they’re talking about. My ILR application was an extremely smooth experience and was granted without any hassles at all. I would recommend Globevisas to anyone who is looking for help to sort out their visa issues!

Success Story on Visit Visa Refusal Appeal or Judicial Review

Visitor Visa Refused, Pre-Action Protocol Letter Submitted Leads to the Grant of Visa

Mr M, along with his wife and his son applied from India for visitor visas to visit the UK, his brother and family who are all settled here. The family of three also wanted to take this opportunity to explore the places of attraction in the UK and experience the culture of the country where…

What to ask to get the right solicitor for your immigration matter.

Tips to Choose a Right UK Immigration Lawyer

We are a specialised UK immigration law firm.

In this video, I will share some tips with you on how to choose a UK immigration lawyer.

There are five very important points you may wish to consider while choosing a UK Immigration Lawyer.

Number 1: UK immigration law is very specific, fast-changing and complex.  You should not entrust your future to an individual/company that does not fully comprehend the complexity of UK immigration law. Therefore, our first tip is that you may want to consider choosing a lawyer who specialises in UK immigration law and has a wealth of experience in dealing with UK immigration applications and/or/appeals.

Tip Number 2: You will need a lawyer who will be honest with you. This includes discussions about the success chances of your immigration case, total cost and tentative time frame.

Tip Number 3 : A lawyer’s reputation often precedes them – look for a lawyer who is known for honesty. Check out client reviews to see what others have said. When many people rate the same lawyer as honest after their transactions, chances are good that you’ve found an honest lawyer. Check out for independent review platform such as TrustPilot for real and verified reviews from actual clients.

Tip Number 4 : How about choosing a lawyer who loves immigration law? One who cannot wait to get started on your case. A passionate lawyer who regularly sees success in immigration matters and tends to deliver great results.

Tip Number 5 : Always look for a lawyer who is Authorised and Regulated. In most cases, lawyers in the UK are regulated by the SRA – Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or by the OISC. Professional certification or Awards are also good indications. It might be prominent on their webpage if they have this.

Finally , look for a lawyer who is always improving by staying up to date on the UK immigration rules and regulations, and is constantly upgrading their skills. This is particularly important in the UK immigration sector , where laws are changed frequently, and lawyers must know exactly what is required for each type of application or appeal.

If you look for these qualities in a lawyer, it is likely that you find someone who is going to take good care of your Immigration matter, while respecting you as a valuable, important individual.

If you require legal assistance with your UK Immigration matter, please get in touch with us. Our contact details are at the bottom of this video. We’re happy to help. Thank you.

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If your UK visa application has been refused and you think the visa refusal is unlawful, then you may be able to appeal against a visa or immigration decision.

If your visa application is refused, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons for the refusal, and you may have the option to appeal or reapply, depending on your circumstances.

Book an appointment with our immigration solicitors to discuss your UK visa refusal letter, the appeal process, the costs involved, and other options.

Table of Contents

How to challenge a UK visa refusal?

11 reasons why your visa may have been refused, uk visa appeal timeline, uk visa appeal processing time, how can we help if your uk visa application has been refused.

• Need legal advice and assistance?

If your visa application is refused, you have several options to challenge the decision, including pursuing an Administrative Review or a Judicial Review.

• Administrative Review (AR)
• Judicial Review (JR)
• Pre-Action Protocol (PAP)
• UK Spouse Visa Refusal
• UK Fiance Visa Refusal
• UK Skilled Worker Visa Refusal
• UK Health and Care Worker Visa Refusal
• Parent of a British Child Visa Refusal
• UK Visit Visa Refusal
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Refusal

Visa refusals in the UK can occur for a variety of reasons. It's important to note that the specific grounds for refusal may vary depending on the type of visa you're applying for (e.g., tourist visa, student visa, work visa) and the circumstances of your application. However, common reasons for a UK visa refusal include:

• Inadequate Supporting Documents
• Insufficient Funds
• Failure to Meet Eligibility Criteria
• Immigration History
• Criminal Record
• False Information
• Health Concerns
• Travel History
• Inadequate Purpose of Visit
• Tie to Home Country
• English Language Proficiency

1. Inadequate Supporting Documents

Failing to provide the required supporting documents or submitting incomplete, inaccurate, or forged documents can lead to a visa refusal. This may include financial statements, sponsorship letters, travel itineraries, or accommodation details.

2. Insufficient Funds

If you cannot demonstrate that you have enough financial resources to cover your trip or to meet the maintenance and accommodation requirements for the visa category you are applying for, your application may be refused.

3. Failure to Meet Eligibility Criteria

You must meet specific eligibility criteria for the type of visa you are applying for. For example, if you're applying for a student visa, you should have an acceptance letter from a recognised institution, and for a work visa, you should have a valid job offer. Failure to meet these criteria can result in a refusal.

4. Immigration History

A history of immigration violations, overstaying a previous visa, or being deported from the UK or another country can negatively impact your application.

5. Criminal Record

If you have a criminal record, especially for serious offences, it may lead to a visa refusal. The UK authorities take the character and criminal history of applicants into account.

6. False Information

Providing false information on your application or during an interview, or attempting to deceive the authorities in any way, can result in refusal and potential bans on future visa applications.

7. Health Concerns

If you have a contagious disease that poses a public health risk or if you cannot demonstrate that you have comprehensive health insurance, your visa application may be refused.

8. Travel History

A lack of consistent travel history or previous refusals for visas in the UK or other countries may raise suspicions and lead to a visa refusal.

9. Inadequate Purpose of Visit

Failing to provide a clear and legitimate reason for your visit to the UK can result in a visa refusal. Your intent should match the visa category you're applying for.

10. Tie to Home Country

To obtain a visa, you generally need to demonstrate strong ties to your home country, such as family, employment, property, or other connections. If the authorities believe you are likely to overstay or not return to your home country, your application may be refused.

11. English Language Proficiency

Depending on the type of visa, you may be required to demonstrate a certain level of English language proficiency, and failure to do so can result in refusal.

It's crucial to carefully review the visa requirements for your specific situation, provide all necessary documents, and be honest and accurate in your application.

If you are outside the UK, you will have 28 days after you get your decision to appeal against the refusal of your visa application. You will have 14 days if you are inside the UK.

Usually, the UK visa appeal process takes between 6 and 12 months depending on the complexity of the matter.

Our team of highly experienced immigration solicitors based in London have a very high success rate with a proven track record of successfully appealing against unlawful decisions made by the Home Office UKVI.

• Our immigration solicitors will review your visa refusal letter and discuss the reasons for the refusal in detail.
• We will assess the merits of the case and advise you about on what grounds you can appeal.
• We will prepare grounds of appeal and detailed witness statements.
• We will advise about the required supporting documents.
• We will give you realistic, honest advice about the chances of success.
• We will advise the court procedures and the appeal processing time.
• We will advise you about the legal costs involved.
• We will carry out all the legal work until the decision of your appeal is received from the court.

Contact our immigration solicitors in Wembley, London on 0203 417 3700 or fill in the enquiry form for immediate legal advice & assistance with an appeal against unlawful refusal.

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Contact our solicitor today to get legal advice and assistance with your UK immigration matters. You can call us on 02034173700 or leave your details here for a callback request regarding your legal matter.

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UK Visitor Visa Refusal

• Anne Morris
• 12 November 2022

IN THIS SECTION

If you need a visa to visit the UK , you will have to show that you satisfy the visitor visa requirements or your application will be refused.

In this article, we look at the common UK visitor visa refusal reasons, and also consider what to do if your visitor visa application has been refused.

Is the visitor visa right for you?

Before making a visa application, it is important to ensure you select the most appropriate category for your circumstances.

So-called ‘visa nationals’ have to apply for permission to visit the UK. If you are planning to come to the UK on a short-term basis, there are four main types of UK visitor routes, depending on the purpose of your visit:

• The standard visitor route: to visit the UK for the purposes of tourism and leisure, for business, or to take part in sports or creative events, or for another reason, for example to receive private medical treatment or donate an organ.
• The permitted paid engagements ( PPE ) route: to visit the UK to do specific paid work without having to be sponsored under the points-based visa system, for example, giving lectures or chairing selection panels as an expert in your professional field.
• The marriage or civil partnership route : to come to the UK to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership, or to actually get married or form a civil partnership.
• The transit visitor route : to travel via the UK en route to another destination country.

For example, if you are travelling to the UK to work, you would not be eligible to travel on a visitor visa and would instead need to apply for the appropriate UK work permit.

Visitor visa refusal reasons

When considering an application for a UK visitor visa, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is looking to assess whether the applicant meets the eligibility and suitability requirements under this route.

Applications will be decided on the basis of the information given by the applicant on their application form, in their supporting documents and during the visa interview. This means that an applicant may be refused a visitor visa for a wide range of reasons, from failing to demonstrate that your activity is permissible under the route, to previously being in breach of the UK immigration rules.

Visitor visa eligibility requirements

Under UK rules, a visitor is a person who is coming to the UK for a temporary purpose, usually for up to 6 months. They could be, for example, a tourist, coming to visit friends or family, or to carry out a permitted business activity .

In all instances, for the visitor route you must be able to demonstrate that you are a ‘genuine visitor’. This means that you must satisfy the following to UKVI:

• Short stay: you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
• Visiting only: you will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home.
• Purpose of the visit: you are genuinely seeking entry for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes and you will not undertake any prohibited activities.
• Finances: you have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit without working or accessing public funds, including the cost of your return or onward journey, any costs relating to dependants, and the cost of planned activities in the UK such as private medical treatment.

For example, to prove your intention to return home after your UK visit, you should provide evidence that you have work, education or family commitments to return to; that you own or rent property in your home country; that you have future commitments at home; that you have family ties to your home country; and any other evidence that demonstrates that you intend to return to your home country.

In circumstances where travel funds, maintenance and accommodation are being provided by a third party, you must be able to show that a genuine professional or personal relationship exists between you and the third party; that person is not, or will not be in breach of UK immigration laws at the time of decision or your entry to the UK; and they can and will provide financial support to you for the intended duration of your stay.

Where the third party has been asked to provide an undertaking in writing to be responsible for your maintenance and accommodation for the period of your visit, your visa application will be refused if they fail to provide a valid written undertaking. Further, if sufficiently detailed information about the funding for your visit is not provided, either via a third party or your own resources, an adverse inference may be drawn that you intend to work in the UK.

UKVI must be satisfied that you do not intend to work (or study) in the UK, unless expressly allowed under the list of permitted activities. If it is apparent that you intend to undertake a prohibited activity, such as taking employment in the UK, your visa application will be refused.

It is important to remember that any lack of detail about the purpose of your visit may lead to reasons for refusal which either question the length of your visit or the plans which you have purportedly made. If the reason for your visit is not clear, UKVI may easily make an assumption that you are not being candid about wishing to come to the UK just to visit.

You must also be able to meet any additional eligibility requirements if you are under 18 at the date of application; you are coming to the UK to receive private medical treatment or as an organ donor; you are coming to the UK under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) Agreement with China; or you are an academic seeking a 12 month visit visa.

Suitability requirements

There are a number of suitability requirements set out under the Visitor Rules that can commonly give rise to a UK visitor visa refusal. In some cases your application will be refused on mandatory grounds, whereas in other cases this will be at the discretion of the UKVI decision maker handling your application.

Your application will be refused, for example, if you are currently the subject of a deportation order. Your application will also be refused where UKVI form the view that your exclusion from the UK is conducive to the public good because, for example, your conduct, character, associations, or other reasons, make it undesirable to grant your visa application.

This includes where you have been convicted of a criminal offence for which you have been sentenced to a period of imprisonment of:

• At least 4 years, or
• Between 12 months and 4 years, unless at least 10 years have passed since the end of the sentence, or
• Less than 12 months, unless at least 5 years has passed since the end of the sentence.

A visa application will also usually be refused if you have been convicted of or admitted an offence for which you received a non-custodial sentence or out of court disposal that is recorded on your criminal record within the last 12 months.

Other common reasons for a UK visitor visa refusal include the following:

• Where you have previously submitted false information, either by way of representations or false documents in support of an application, or where material facts were not disclosed.
• Where you have previously breached UK immigration laws, such as overstaying or breaching a condition attached to your leave, and your application for a visitor visa is made within the relevant re-entry ban time period. The re-entry ban time period will depend on the manner in which you last left the UK, from a period of 12 months if you left the UK voluntarily at your own expense, up to 10 years if you were deported from the UK at public expense.
• Where you fail to produce satisfactory identity documents or provide other information as required in support of your application for a visitor visa. This could be if you fail to produce a valid travel document that satisfies UKVI as to your identity and nationality, or you fail, without reasonable excuse, to attend an interview, provide your biometric information or undergo a medical examination or provide a medical report where required.
• Where you have failed to pay NHS charges and these have a total value of at least £500, or where you have failed to pay any litigation costs awarded to the Home Office.
• On medical grounds, for example, where you are suffering from tuberculosis.

You should typically get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. If your visa is refused, you will not be permitted to travel to the UK, and if you arrive in the UK without a visitor visa you will be refused permission to enter.

Can you reapply following a UK visitor visa refusal?

A new visit visa application following a refusal should address each of the given reasons for the previous refused application. This will include providing detailed evidence in support of each reason, which may require you to provide multiple pieces of evidence to support each ground for eligibility. Since there is no list of specific documents which an application should include in their application, providing more than one source can help to ensure you are fully evidencing your eligibility.

Need assistance? 

Travelling to the UK as a visitor generally entails a less intensive application process compared with other immigration routes. However, specific rules still apply and applicants will need to understand the limitations of this route and ensure their visa application sufficiently demonstrate eligibility and suitability under this route.

DavidsonMorris are specialist UK immigration advisers, providing guidance to employers and travellers on UK immigration routes and Home Office applications. If you have a question about UK travel visa options, contact us .

Visitor Visa Refusal FAQs

What to do if uk visit visa is refused.

If your UK visit visa is refused, you can reapply for a visit visa, this time providing detailed information and evidence in support of each and every eligibility and suitability requirement, and addressing all the previous reasons for refusal.

Can I apply for UK visit visa after refusal?

You can apply for a UK visit visa after you have been refused, although you will need to address any reasons for refusal by way of additional information, explanation and evidence. In this way, you may be able to persuade the decision maker that you satisfy all of the relevant eligibility and suitability requirements for a visa.

What are the reasons for UK visa rejection?

There could be a single or multiple reasons given for a UK visa rejection. This could relate to either the specific eligibility requirements for the visa, or the general suitability requirements. An applicant may, for example, have failed to provide sufficient evidence in support of a particular requirement, or it may be because they have serious or recent criminal convictions, or an adverse immigration history.

How do I challenge a UK visa refusal?

You can challenge a UK visa refusal by applying for a judicial review of the decision made by UKVI. To succeed, you must be able to show that the decision was in some way illegal or unlawful, for example, where the decision maker has not correctly applied the relevant rules or has not taken into account all material considerations.

Last updated: 12 November 2022

About DavidsonMorris

As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

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UK Visit Visa Refusal: The Causes and Next Steps

If you have applied for a UK visit visa and received a refusal notice, you may be feeling disappointed and unsure of what to do next. It’s important to carefully review the refusal notice and understand the reasons for the refusal in order to improve your chances of success in any future visa application.

Why was my UK Visit Visa refused?

There are a number of reasons why a UK visit visa might be refused, including:

• Insufficient evidence of the purpose of the visit: The UK visa authorities need to be satisfied that the applicant has a genuine reason for their visit, such as visiting friends or family, attending a business meeting, or sightseeing. The applicant must provide evidence of their travel plans, such as confirmation of accommodation and activities they will be participating in during their stay.
• Insufficient evidence of the applicant’s financial circumstances: The applicant must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover the cost of their trip and their living expenses while in the UK. This may include evidence of employment, bank statements, and/or a letter from a sponsor.
• Insufficient evidence of the applicant’s ties to their home country: The applicant must show that they have strong ties to their home country and that they are likely to return after their visit to the UK. This may include evidence of employment, family commitments, and/or property ownership.
• The applicant has a criminal record or has previously breached immigration laws: The UK has strict rules about who is allowed to enter the country, and applicants with a criminal record or a history of immigration violations may be refused a visa.
• The applicant has previously been refused a UK visa: If an applicant has previously been refused a UK visa, they may have to overcome additional hurdles in order to be approved for a visa in the future.

I received a Refusal Notice, how do I proceed?

A refusal notice for a UK visit visa is a letter or document that is issued by the UK visa authorities to inform an applicant that their visa application has been rejected. The refusal notice should explain the reasons for the refusal in detail, as well as any options that are available to the applicant to challenge the decision or reapply for a visa.

The refusal notice may also include information about the applicant’s right to appeal the decision, as well as the deadline for lodging an appeal. If an appeal is possible, the applicant will need to provide additional evidence or arguments to support their case.

If you have received a refusal notice and are unsure of what to do next, you may want to consider consulting with an immigration lawyer or a qualified immigration adviser such as Lexvisa . We can review your case and provide guidance on how to improve your chances of success in a future visa application.

It’s also a good idea to carefully review the refusal notice and address any issues that have been raised. This may involve providing additional documentation or explaining any discrepancies in your application. With careful preparation and attention to detail, we can help you overcome the reasons for your previous refusal and be approved for a UK visit visa in the future.

How soon can I reapply for UK visit visa after refusal?

There is no specific time limit for reapplying for a UK visit visa after a refusal. However, it’s generally a good idea to wait until you have addressed the reasons for the refusal and can provide a stronger application before reapplying. This will give you the best chance of success and may save you time and money in the long run.

If you are considering reapplying for a UK visit visa, you should also gather any additional evidence or documentation that may help to support your case which can include: proof of your financial circumstances, evidence of your ties to your home country, and details of your travel plans.

If you are unsure about the reasons for the refusal or have any questions about the process, you may want to consider consulting with an immigration lawyer or a qualified immigration adviser such as Lexvisa’s expert Immigration Lawyers who can provide guidance and assistance with your visa application.

Why instruct our specialist Immigration Solicitors?

Our  team of solicitors and barristers  represent your interests at all times. On initial consultation, our highly competent team will advise you regarding your immigration status and assist with your application from the very beginning.

We are based in the legal epicenter of London, just across the road from the  Royal Courts of Justice  in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients.  LEXVISA  is just minutes away from the  Royal Courts of Justice  and other central London courts. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation. Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our  contact form .

Authored by Tehreem Fatima, Paralegal

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How to challenge a UK visit visa refusal?

Tell Us What You Think?  

A visitor is a person who is coming to the UK for a maximum of six months for a temporary purpose. Temporary purpose includes coming to the UK as a tourist, to visit friends or family or to carry out a permitted business activity. An entry clearance officer may refuse a visit visa if the applicant does not provide sufficient evidence to satisfy you that they meet the requirements of the visitor rules.

The visit visa application is the largest category of entry clearance applications made. We, therefore, get various enquiries from people all over the world regarding visitor visa refusal. Most people are unaware of the procedure to challenge a visit visa refusal that they have received.

Challenging a visit visa refusal by way of Judicial Review

A UK visit visa refusal is not an appealable decision. This means that you cannot challenge it by way of an appeal. However, if you have ever been refused an entry clearance as a visitor you have the option of re-applying or submitting an application for judicial review. Re-applying is only suitable if you did not have all of the mandatory evidence required and you now have them ready for submission. However, if you feel that you had all of the correct evidence and do not agree with the reasons for refusal given by the Entry Clearance Office (ECO) i.e. the person who makes the decisions on visit visa applications, you have the option of submitting an application for judicial review to challenge the refusal. The application for judicial review must be submitting within 3 calendar months of the date of the refusal letter.

Things to consider before submitting an application for judicial review

Before considering proceeding for a judicial review you may need to consider various matters including:

• have the relevant law set out in  Appendix V  of the Immigration Rules been applied incorrectly in the visitor visa refusal decision?
• have all material considerations/evidence been considered by the ECO when making the decision?
• Was there a factual error in the decision?
• Has the ECO provided sufficient reasons to enable you to effectively challenge the refusal decision or to reapply?

Procedure for submitting an application for judicial review

Judicial review is considered to be a remedy of last resort and should only be used when it is considered that the ECO has made a substantial legal error in making the decision. You, therefore, need to have good grounds to submit an application for judicial review. You need to be able to show that the ECO’s decision as either unlawful, irrational or procedurally unfair. Proving any one of these grounds could lead to your challenge against the refusal of your visit visa application being successful.

Pre-Action protocol before judicial review

Before an application for judicial review can be submitted to the courts, a pre-action procedure must be followed. This is essentially your first opportunity to put your concerns and challenges to the other side. The pre-action procedure provides an early opportunity for issues to be highlighted, addressed and possibly resolved thereby eliminating the need to go to court.

If you are not provided with your deserved remedy at the pre-action stage, the next step is to submit an application for judicial review.

Visit visa refusal due to re-entry ban

Entry bans are one of the reasons why visit visa applications can be refused. An entry ban can be imposed upon individuals who have breached visa conditions or used deception in their application for entry clearance or leave to remain in the UK. The entry ban can range from 1 year to a maximum of 10 years. During the ban, an applicant will not be allowed to re-enter the UK unless certain exceptions apply.

A period of up to 90 days of overstaying was permissible until the Immigration Rules changed on 6 Aril 2017. The rule is now that where the overstaying period began before 6 April 2017, up to 90 days is permitted. However, where the overstaying period began on or after 6 April 2017, only 30 days is permitted before the ban is imposed.

Types of Re-entry bans

At Connaught, we have a legal team who is highly experienced in dealing with visit visa refusals. We do not charge for an initial consultation.

For more information about how to challenge a visit visa refusal, please call our immigration solicitors in London on 0203 909 8399 or email us at [email protected]

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You may also be interested in, ilr for children with 7 years residence in the uk, new changes impacting skilled workers and employers, sponsoring a spouse is getting more expensive., new changes to the immigration rules for students and their dependants., what is a judicial review and who can apply for it, what are the financial equirements for a uk fiance visa, requirements for 10 years long residence and the case of afzal v sshd, access to child – 5 years route to settlement, indefinite leave to remain for children, contact information.

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Legal Notice

Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

11 Reasons for UK visa refusal (and how to overcome them)

Updated: September 8, 2023

UK visa application is the most strict and highly scrutinized visa process. The UK Visas and Immigration receives thousands of visa applications every year that do not meet visa requirements.

Once you have a UK visa refusal, it remains permanently in the records of the UK Home Office. Each time you re-apply, your previous UK visa refusal comes up. It becomes an unavoidable hindrance to all of your future UK visa applications. Therefore, you must get approval in the first attempt at all costs.

According to national statistics published by the Home Office, the UK visitor visa refusal rate for 2019 was 13%. The countries with the highest refusal rates were Algeria, Ghana and Bangladesh with refusal rates over 40%.

This article walks you through the top UK visa refusal reasons. This list should also help if you are reapplying after your UK visa refusal.

The top reasons for UK visa rejection are as below –

• Long itinerary
• Unclear itinerary
• Lack of leave approval letter
• Lack of salary deposits in your bank account
• Large undocumented deposits in your bank account
• Exhausting all your savings or spending several times your monthly income
• Lack of travel history
• Lack of detailed cover letter
• Lack of proper documentation from the sponsor
• Not disclosing any previous visa refusals
• No change in circumstances since your previous visa refusal

Now, let’s take a deep look into each of these reasons and understand how to overcome these in your own UK visa application.

Go through and understand each of these reasons. Analyze your own visa application to figure what’s lacking and what needs to be done. It should help you build a strong case and get approval in your first attempt.

So, without further delay, let’s get started.

NOTE The visa refusal reasons in this article are actual reasons given by the UK visa officers in the visa refusal letters. After going through several visa refusal letters from my readers, I put this article together to help you all analyze your own applications and avoid future rejections.

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TOP 11 REASONS FOR UK VISA REFUSAL

01. Long itinerary

REASON “You have stated that you wish to visit the UK for 1 month”

Be realistic. The UK is small and you only need a few days to explore. A long itinerary looks suspicious. It looks as if you will be living or working in the UK rather than site seeing.

The UK is also expensive. You must have enough funds to justify your itinerary.

A 7-10 day itinerary works the best for the UK tourist visa . If you are only visiting London, probably less than 7 days is better.

Also Read: 11 mistakes that can get your visa denied. And how to avoid them.

02. Unclear itinerary

REASON “You did not indicate what you intend to do or where you intend to stay. The plans for this trip are unclear and lacking in detail.”

Specify a detailed itinerary in your cover letter. The itinerary should include the dates, cities and your day-to-day activities in each city.

If your itinerary is too long, attach an additional page to your cover letter.

03. Lack of leave approval letter

REASON “It is unclear if your employer has agreed for you to be away from work for the period of this trip, and therefore that you will return to this employment following this trip.”

Include a leave approval letter from your employer. A leave approval letter is the single most document that can strengthen your case. It indicates two things –

• You have strong ties with your country
• You have the obligation to return back to your country after your UK trip

Your leave approval letter should clearly mention that you have been granted leave to travel to the UK and you will return to your current job after your vacation.

This letter must be on the company letterhead with original HR or manager’s signature. You must have your HR or manager write this letter specifically for your UK travel.

If you cannot obtain a leave approval letter, have your employer at least mention your leave details in the employment letter.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I had my employer include my leave approval details in the employment letter for my UK visa. I haven’t seen a single UK visitor visa refusal from those who submitted a leave/vacation approval letter. In my opinion, it really is a strong document.

Also Read: UK Visa Guide – All about UK visa requirements, application process, documentation, etc.

04. Lack of salary deposits in your bank account

REASON “Your stated monthly income is not reflected in the history of the account”

It is not uncommon to have a UK visa rejected due to bank statements. Apart from your employment documentation, you must be able to show your monthly salary in your bank statements for UK visa .

Make sure your employer deposit your salary directly into your bank account. Your regular salary deposits indicate two things –

• You are genuinely employed and have a steady source of income
• You have genuinely saved up to travel to the UK and not borrowing money from someone

Have your employer deposit your salary directly into your bank account. It’s fine if you have to withdraw cash for expenses, family, etc. But, it is important to have your salary deposited directly into your bank account.

If you receive a physical paycheck, deposit the check yourself in the bank regularly every month.

05. Large undocumented deposits in your bank account

REASON “Large credits have been made which are in excess of your stated monthly income”

REASON “I am not satisfied with the origin of these funds or that they are genuinely available to you”

REASON “The sources of these deposits are not demonstrated by the documents provided”

As I mentioned in the above reason, it’s not uncommon to have UK visa rejected due to bank statements.

Large deposits in your bank account indicate that you have borrowed money to inflate the numbers in your bank account. Visa officers will not be convinced that the funds in your account are your own and are available for you to use.

Make sure there are no large deposits in your bank account. If you already have large deposits in your account, provide proof of the source of those deposits. Example –

• If you have received money from selling a property, attach the sales deed to the bank statement
• If you have received money from rents, attach the rental agreements from your tenants

Also Read: How to travel 40 countries VISA-FREE with UK visa in 2023

06. Exhausting all your savings or spending several times your monthly income

REASON “I don’t find it credible that you would exhaust nearly all the funds available to you”

REASON “This amount represents over half your declared savings or over x months of your monthly expenditure”

If the total expenditure of your UK trip is more than half of your savings or several times your monthly salary, your visa will be refused. It’s not realistic to exhaust all your savings on one trip to the UK. You would need to preserve at least half of your savings for emergencies.

If your savings are low, your UK visa may be rejected due to insufficient funds. Taking chances and applying for your UK visa will lead to refusal and also affect all your future visa results. So, take a few months to build your savings first.

It is not wise to spend more than 2 times your monthly income on your UK trip. If your monthly salary is low, wait until your monthly salary improves. Ask for a raise or take up a second job. But taking chances will only lead to refusal.

If you have received a gift or bonus from your employer or your sponsor is taking care of your expenses, you are still REQUIRED to show a saving that is more than twice your UK trip expenditure. This is to make sure you can support yourself during your trip in case your sponsor or employer decides not to support you.

07. Lack of travel history

REASON “I am not satisfied that you are a genuinely seeking entry as a visitor and that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit”

REASON “I note that you have never traveled to the UK or anywhere else before”

Travel history indicates that you do not have illegal immigration intent. If you were to stay illegally anywhere, you could have done it so already in any of those countries you have been to so far.

If you do not have travel history, build your travel history first.

Travel to some visa-required countries. The more countries you travel to, the better it is for your UK visa.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I have traveled to over 30 countries so far. I have been to some countries multiple times. I have plenty of visas and stamps in my passport. My travel history helps in my visa approvals.

08. Lack of detailed cover letter

REASON “I am not satisfied that you have sufficient ties and would, in fact, leave the UK on completion of your proposed visit”

UK visa application forms may not ask for all the details that you want to convey. Therefore, a cover letter is a way for you to convey that additional information and convince the visa officer that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor.

Write a detailed cover letter mentioning your proposed itinerary, your financial situation, your travel history, your intention to return, etc.

Your cover letter should not exceed one page. Use bullets instead of paragraphs. The simpler, cleaner the better.

Keep in mind that the UK visa officers may not be familiar with terminology from your country. Do not use words, designations, addresses, etc. that are not familiar to them.

Visa officers may have lots of work on their plates. So, your cover letter should convey what you want to convey clearly and quickly.

09. Lack of proper documentation from your sponsor

REASON “I am not satisfied that your sponsor will be able to provide maintenance and accommodation during your sponsor trip”

If you are using a sponsor for your UK visa, you must have the following documentation from your sponsor. If you don’t have all of this documentation from your sponsor, you will be risking your visa.

• A letter from your sponsor undertaking that he/she would arrange your accommodation, transportation and other expenses while you are in the UK
• Your sponsor’s bank statements for the last 3 months (must indicate employer pay deposits and have no large undocumented deposits)
• Your sponsor’s British passport’s main page
• Your sponsor’s British postal poll card
• Your sponsor’s utility bill

Just having an invitation letter is not sufficient. An invitation letter is not legally enforceable and such letters will not help unless you provide additional documentation from your sponsor such as those mentioned above.

10. Not disclosing any previous visa refusals

REASON “I am aware that you have been refused a US visa and you do not declare this on your visa application form”

UK Home Office may have information sharing with other countries. You must enter only true information and must disclose any previous visa refusals from any country, not just the UK.

Pretty much all the information you provide is verifiable these days. Therefore, not disclosing your previous visa rejections can lead to your UK tourist visa refusal.

Also Read: How to turn your weak passport into a strong passport (with examples)

11. No change in circumstances since your previous visa refusal

REASON “I note that your were previously refused entry clearance”

REASON “You are likely to be refused unless the circumstances of your application change”

If your circumstances haven’t changed since your previous UK visa refusal, your visa may be refused again. Multiple visa refusals can lead to blacklisting and permanent ban. It’s wise to not apply at all than dealing with a visa refusal again.

Reapply for your UK visa only if there is a considerable change in your circumstances.

The UK visitor visa refusal rate is very high these days. The UK Home Office has been refusing visas more frequently than ever before.

It’s your responsibility to make sure that you are eligible and meet the visa requirements. A UK visa refusal can be an unavoidable hindrance down the line.

The above 11 UK visitor visa refusal reasons should help you analyze youn visa application and overcome any hindrances that can lead to your visa refusal.

Have you had a UK visa refusal? If you did, what was the reason and how did you overcome in your re-application?

IMPORTANT This article is meant for UK visa applicants with “tourism” intent. My knowledge and experience are only in tourist visas. I will only respond to comments from those seeking advice on UK visas with “tourism” intent. I will not respond to comments from those seeking advice for purposes such as study, work, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, immigration, etc. I don’t have expertise in those matters. You would need to seek advice from immigration lawyers.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

06. Get your zero-fee ATM card

You can manage money internationally in over 70 currencies using  Wise . With a Wise card, you can store and withdraw cash in 40 currencies with zero ATM fees. 

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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UK visa refused: Find out why and plan your next steps

UK immigration authorities refuse many visas not because they do not want you to come to the United Kingdom. The reason why they do it is simple; people tend to ignore the established rules and requirements of applying for a visa and then question why they are not welcome.

We decided to list most common reasons of refusal of UK visas and what to do not to be refused. We will also focus a lot on what you can do after a refusal, with useful tips from our experts.

Can I apply for a UK visa after a refusal?

A refusal of your visa to the UK does not mean that you are banned for life from coming to Great Britain. Read the refusal letter from the Home Office carefully and you will find out the reason why you have been refused.

If you have made a mistake and you can correct it, do it and submit a new application. But bear in mind that you will have to pay the visa fee again.

All you need to know about UK visa refusal

What are the reasons for a UK visa to be refused?

Before we talk about most common reasons for refusal, let us mention four most extreme cases that make a legal entry to the UK impossible.

• False information has been provided, in which case, as has been already mentioned, you will be banned from entering the British Isles for 10 years.
• To become a persona non grata in the UK, you don’t have to be covered in blood or be on a public Red Notice. It is enough to become a member of a political or religious organisation that is considered by some countries as encouraging terrorist activities and you might not be even aware of that. Or you could have supported an extremist on the Internet once.
• Criminal record both in the UK and abroad. In the best-case scenario, you must have a 100% clean record, both from the point of view of the criminal and civil law, for example, no driving offences, civil court judgements, bankruptcy and debt proceedings against you.

Breaches of UK immigration rules that you have committed previously are one of the most solid grounds on which you will not only be refused a UK visa but can be also banned from visiting the country for the next decade.

• Previous visas refused to other countries. It also includes when you have been refused an entry at the border and all the measures that are being taken to remove you from the territory of a relevant jurisdiction, from a court notice to a deportation order.

The worst error you can make is not to disclose such information to UK authorities. If you have been refused a visa to any country for any reason, include it in your application with as much details as possible to avoid the 10-year ban.

A visa refusal to another country will not automatically lead to a refusal of a UK visa, but a case worker will pay extra attention to your application and documents.

Five most common reasons for a UK visa refusal

• Applying for a wrong type of visa that contradicts what you are going to do in Great Britain

An obvious, but a very common reason for refusal of a UK visa. It is common to get yourself into such trouble by applying through an unprofessional agency. For example, if you need to go to the UK for private medical treatment, it will be a mistake to apply for a standard visitor visa. A travel agency employee might not know the difference which will cause your visa to be refused.

• Failure to provide evidence to support the provided information

Applicants often forget that each word of their application must be backed by evidence. If not, a case worker will think it is false information or misrepresentation.

You must know what and how to include in your application. If you say a lot, be prepared to prove it. That is where professional advice and help are as invaluable as when you need to choose the right type of a visa category.

• Failure to mention a family in the UK; providing contradictory information; giving exaggerated periods of stay in the country

A case worker will not only check all the details of your application but will also assess it as a whole. If they think you have provided misleading or false information, they will take their time in double checking every suspicious detail and will refuse as soon as they find anything.

For example, they will question your intention to stay in the UK for a long time without enough money on your bank account or if you have an extended family in the country. If you fail to mention them and it is later discovered, you will be banned from the UK for many years.

• Financial inability to support yourself

There are a lot of legal and illegal migrants that are moving to the UK in search of a better life, and the HomeOffice has to be alert to everyone.

UK immigration authorities need to know and see that you earn enough money in your country to not only buy a return ticket, but also support yourself during your trip. Therefore, a low salary, a recently found job (less than half a year old) and a low bank account balance are red flags to them.

On the other hand, if a balance on your bank account does not match your level of earnings, the Home Office will be curious as to where you have got the money from. Our tip would be to show the required minimum and not all the savings.

• Inability of your sponsor to support you

If you are applying for a family visa, for example, to join your British spouse, they will be your sponsor and they must also meet the Home Office requirements. The current level of annual income that a British husband/wife must earn in order to sponsor their foreign spouse must not be less than £18,600.

What should I do when my UK visa is refused?

First, we can tell you what not to do – not to despair and give up. As we have already said, if your UK visa is refused, you have a few options to revert to in order to set things right.

There are 3 main courses of action after you get a refusal of a UK visa – an administrative review, a new application and an appeal. For your convenience, we have summarised all three of them, and how they are applied, in a table below (these rules apply since April 2015).

Administrative review

If you suspect that your application for a UK visa or submitted documents have been processed or assessed incorrectly by a case worker, which led to them refusing the application, you can apply for an administrative review. But bear in mind that in this case you can only refer to the documents that have been already submitted and cannot submit new ones.

There are deadlines to apply for an AR (the start date is the date on a stamped envelope):

• 14 calendar days, if you have applied from within the United Kingdom.
• 28 calendar days, if you apply from the country of your residence.

A new application for a UK visa

If you and/or your immigration lawyer see that a case worker is right in their decision and it is you who have made a mistake or forgotten to submit some required documents, the best thing you can do is to do your homework and reapply.

The same applies if your circumstances, that prevented you from getting a visa, have changed and you stand a better chance of obtaining it the second time.

If a specialist that supports you in your application has found mistakes made by a case worker that led to refusal, you have the right to appeal that decision.

It is also possible to appeal a Home Office decision if it breaches UK laws regulating immigration policies, interracial relationships and human rights, as well as international declarations (for example, European Convention on Human Rights).

To appeal, you need to fill in a special form. Based on where you have applied, you will have various deadlines for submitting an appeal:

• If you apply for a visa extension and are refused in the UK, you will be given 14 calendar days.
• If you submit an application and get a refusal outside Great Britain, you will have up to 28 calendar days to appeal.

Please bear in mind that a visa fee is not refundable. The only thing that is refundable, if you pay it on application, is the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge).

Appeals are heard in an independent court called a tribunal. After submitting a form, you have up to 8 weeks to prepare and file all necessary documents. In some cases, if your immigration lawyer advises to do so, you can also send an appeal bundle directly to the Home Office at the same time you send it to the tribunal. It might be enough for a decision to be changed in your favour which will save you time and money .

If you are in the UK all this time, you may be asked to attend a court hearing of your case as a witness. If you receive a refusal in the country of your residence, you don’t have to go to the UK – your lawyer can represent you. However, no matter where you are, you are not given any allowances or exceptions if not all documents are submitted on time, so make sure you are 100% ready. A decision on your case will be made at the hearing, but the court might take 2-3 weeks to prepare an official notice and send it to you.

In any case, an appeal is a long and tedious process that can run for 9 months and longer. It requires attention and careful preparation of all documents, cover letters and other paperwork that could defend your case in the tribunal.

Irrespective of what type of a UK visa you are applying for, if you do not intend to mislead the Home Office or make no mistakes in an application or documents, the whole process should be really smooth.

If you still get a UK visa refusal , this is not the end of the world. Mistakes can be corrected, and wrong decisions can be appealed in a tribunal that is independent of the UK government.

Both at the application stage and after a refusal you might need qualified legal advice from an immigration lawyer. Professional advisers at Imperial & Legal will give you advice on any matter related to a refusal, will help you take necessary steps to change the decision in your favour, will prepare all required paperwork and solve any arising issues.

FAQ about UK visa refusals

If we begin from the most common reason, a UK visa refusal is usually due to the applicant’s mistakes:

• Applying for a wrong type of visa or making mistakes while filling the necessary forms, or providing information that is not backed by evidence, or omitting any essential document.
• Life circumstances of the applicant which prevent the Home Office from giving the applicant a UK visa. For example, the applicant is on a rather low monthly income, has no savings and got a job only a month before.
• Providing contradictory information. For example, the applicant mentions a low salary, but a bank statement shows huge sums of money passing through, and no explanation is provided in the application.
• Previous legal offences, visas refused to other countries, bankruptcy, unpaid debts, etc.
• Considering some information about themselves or their families evident enough not to provide it in the application. The point is, if any information is not supported by evidence, it is not taken into account by the Home Office.
• Finally, intentionally deceiving a case worker by providing false information or evidence, trying to hide true information about themselves.

Definitely, case workers are just humans, and they might make mistakes. These things happen. But most commonly the applicant is the one to blame for the following difficulties.

The first thing that we recommend, if you haven’t approached qualified immigration experts yet, is that you do it on the occasion of getting a refusal letter. The refusal letter from the Home Office contains the clearly explained reason why you have been refused.

The reason determines what you should do next:

• If the mistakes you made are not too serious, you may set things right with the help of your legal expert and re-apply.
• If for the time being you do not qualify for the visa route you wish to obtain, you may try again as soon as all the obstacles are eliminated.
• If you are sure that you have done right, and it was a mistake of a case worker which led to them refusing the application, you can apply for an administrative review. You may believe us, the Home Office is fully impartial, and you are highly likely to get a positive decision.
• Finally, as a last resort, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber).

The only situation that leaves you with nothing to do is when you have tried to deceive the Home Office or when there is something in your record (e.g. terrorist-related offences) that makes the Home Office ban you from entering the UK for at least 10 years.

Can I recover the fee if I am refused a visa?

No, according to the legislation in force the money that you spend on the fee can’t be recovered. Moreover, if you opted out of applying for an administrative review and decided to re-apply, you will have to pay the fee again.

It is not a good idea to correct the initial application, add documents which have been omitted and apply for an administrative review denying any changes in an attempt to economise. This may result in you being banned for 10 years.

On the other hand, you still might be able to get back some of the money you spent. For example, the immigration health surcharge (IHS), medical insurance fee that every prospective resident is obliged to pay, can be recovered.

What are the common mistakes made by the applicants who have been refused incorrectly because of the Home Office case worker?

As a matter of fact, the most regrettable mistake will be to waste time, especially if to appeal is the only way to set things right. Remember, that once you have received your refusal letter, you only have 14 calendar days to appeal if you have applied in the UK, and 28 days if you have applied outside the UK. Do not throw away the refusal letter or the envelope because you will need the date on a postal stamp.

Besides, unless you are an expert in the British law and the immigration law, you will definitely need help of a qualified legal expert. Professional advisers at Imperial & Legal have necessary knowledge and experience to appeal a UK visa refusal caused by a mistake made by the Home Office.

Do I have to attend the Appeal Court proceedings if I received the refusal letter in my home country?

Since your lawyer will act on your behalf at the proceedings, there is no need for you to come in person.

It is crucial to prepare for the proceedings carefully, so that your lawyer can have all the necessary evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the refusal breaches UK laws regulating human rights. If you need more time to collect the evidence, your lawyer can file a special motion.

You will have to put up with the fact that appeal to the tribunal, preparation of the documents and court proceedings take a lot of time. It might take you up to 3 weeks even to get a tribunal ruling in writing.

Tired of getting general advice?

We will work with you to find a customised solution for your immigration, second citizenship, business, tax and other needs.

UK Visitor Visa Refusal

The UK Immigration Office can refuse a UK Visitor Visa application for certain reasons. If your visa application was denied, there are some things you can do about that.

For more information about the UK Visitor Visa, including how to apply and expert advice on what to do after a refusal, reach out to us today on  0333 305 9375  or contact us  online .

An Overview of UK Visitor Visa Refusals

It is not uncommon to learn about a UK Visitor Visa refusal. This is because many people who apply do not meet the requirements to get their visas approved.

Getting a visa refusal can be hard to take, considering the amount of time and resources poured into making an application. But all hope is not lost as there are things you can do in the incident of a visitor visa refusal. The first is to consider and understand the UK visitor visa refusal reasons before taking further steps.

Is the UK Visitor Visa the Right Choice for You?

If you want to visit the UK for business, tourism, and study  (for no more than 6 months), you will need a UK Visitor Visa. This visa grants you the right to stay in the UK for up to 180 days. This is also the visa you will need if you are coming to visit family and friends in the UK.

You cannot work or claim public benefits as a UK visitor visa holder. You cannot also get married. If you want to get married, you’ll have to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa. If you also want to study longer than 6 months, you’ll have to apply for a Study visa. If you are in transit, you can apply for another kind of visitor visa called a Visitor in Transit visa.

To get your UK visitor visa approved, you must prove that:

• you’ll leave the UK when your permit expires
• you’re financially capable of supporting yourself (this includes paying for accommodation) and your dependents, if any. Alternatively, you can show that the person you’re visiting can house and support you throughout your stay.
• you’ll not make frequent visits to the UK
• you can pay your fare to and from the UK

Common Reasons for UK Visitor Visa Refusal

There are many reasons why the  Home Office  can refuse an application for a UK visitor visa. UK Immigration laws back these reasons. The Home Office approves or refuses a UK visitor visa based on each applicant’s suitability. If any applicant fails the suitability test, their visa application is refused.

The Home Office refuses visas because of the applicant’s lack of funds, lack of evidence to prove the purpose of the visit, lack of ties to the home country, criminal record, previous refusals, submission of false information, and on health grounds.

Applicant’s Lack of Funds

Lack of ties to home country, insufficient evidence of purpose, criminal record, previous uk visa refusal, submission of false information, health grounds.

For your visa application to be approved, you’ll need to show that you have enough money to support yourself.  You’ll also need to show you can support any dependent going with you.

You’ll have to show you have no issues feeding, paying for accommodation, and flying to and from the UK. This proof of funds counts in convincing the Home Office that you’re not coming to the UK to work.

You can prove that you have enough funds to take care of yourself by submitting bank statements. Alternatively, a third party (the person you’re visiting) can write to the Home Office promising to be responsible for you. If you use a third party, you must prove to the Home Office the relationship between you and your sponsor.

The UK immigration officials want to be sure you’ll return to your country when your visit ends. Failure to prove that you intend to return home will result in visa refusals. You must show evidence of your ties to home by showing employment or admission letters.

You can show that you have a business or property in your country. It is also permissible to show you have some responsibilities that will take you home, like your family, marriage, or royal duties.

Your UK visitor visa application can be refused if you don’t prove the genuineness of your purpose for visiting. If the immigration officer cannot determine why you are going to the UK, your application will be refused. The Home Office needs to be sure you are coming for tourism, a visit, business, or a short stay.

One of the major UK visitor visa refusal reasons is a record of a criminal offence(s). The Home Office will refuse your application if you are a convicted criminal.

If you have once overstayed during your visit to the UK or have been deported for breaking immigration laws, the Home Office will refuse your visa application.

Again, if you have a travel ban, your application will be refused until the tenure is served.

Getting a UK Visa application approved is usually harder when there has been a refusal.

Each application that comes to the Home Office is properly evaluated for suitability. So, if there is false information about you on your application, it will be detected, and your visa application will be refused. Bank statements or other supporting documents and marriages are the most common things applicants falsify.

If you fail your medical test (Tuberculosis test), your application for a UK Visitor Visa will be denied.

Maximize your chances of approval. Get our expert guidance to avoid UK Visitor Visa refusal.

What to Do If Your UK Visitor Visa Is Refused?

If your UK visitor visa is refused, you will get an email stating that your application was unsuccessful. The notice will also tell you why. It will also offer you options on what you can do to get a favourable response.

If you get the refusal email, there are some options you can explore. For example, you can appeal the decision, review the decision or reapply for the visa after addressing the reasons why the initial application was refused.

Here’s what to do:

Appealing the Decision

Review the decision, reapply for uk visitor visa after rejection.

According to the new immigration laws modified in 2013, you can appeal the visa refusal. But that can only be possible if the refusal contravenes human rights laws. You are usually told if you can appeal the decision in your refusal letter or email.

Usually, you have 14 days to appeal the decision if you’re in the UK and 28 days if you’re outside of the UK.

Note that the only time UK immigration rules can accept an appeal based on human rights claims is when the refusal affects family life. For example, a parent applying to visit their child who was separated from them due to war. Another example is a child who is going to visit an aged and sick parent who cannot move around on their own.

If the refusal interferes with family life, then you can appeal it.

Appealing a decision is a tedious process, even more tedious than the initial application. First, to appeal a decision, you must submit all the documents you used to apply for the visa. Then you draft the reason why you are appealing the decision.

Next is to fill out a form and pay £140 if you want a hearing and £80 if you don’t. Then send the form to the Immigration tribunal and wait for the tribunal to call your hearing. This usually takes 8 weeks. During this time, you are supposed to gather all evidence and documents you’ll need to defend your application.

If you are in the UK, you can attend the court case, but your lawyer can stand in for you if you are not. You will get the response to your appeal via mail or through your online portal.

If the process is too complicated for you or if you need help clarifying the complexity of your refusal, don’t hesitate to contact an immigration lawyer for guidance. Call us on  0333 305 9375 , or contact us online today.

You can ask for a review of your UK visitor visa refusal if you feel and can prove the refusal broke UK immigration laws. This process is also called judicial review and can take longer than an appeal.

You can also ask for a review if there was a mistake in the decision-making process. For example, you submitted a TB test certificate, but somehow the ECO missed it and refused your application.

Here are the steps required to get a Judicial review:

Send a Pre-Action Protocol Letter

In this letter, the applicant explains clearly how the decision of the Home Office was wrong or unlawful. Once this letter is issued, the Home Office has 14 days to respond. If they don’t respond or maintain their position on the decision, the applicant can request judicial review.

You will be penalised if you file your request for judicial review without filing a pre-action protocol letter. Filing a pre-action protocol letter will cost you £80. We can help you maximise your success with a well-thought-out  pre-action protocol letter  from our lawyers.  Get in touch today .

Judicial Review

When the applicant applies for judicial review, the Upper Tribunal assesses the application. If they see a case, then there would be a judicial hearing. If the Upper Tribunal rejects the application, the applicant can apply for a hearing at the Upper Tribunal.

This is the easiest way to handle UK visitor visa refusal. The mail conveying your visa refusal spells out what caused the rejection. And this is exactly the tip you need to reapply. Once you correct all the issues raised by the Home Office, you can submit a new application.

You could reapply if the visa was rejected based on insufficient proof of funds. But this time with a bank statement (s) containing more money than you originally submitted.

Your chances of getting your visa approved drop with each rejection. So, you must submit a tight application for the second time. Ensure you address all the issues raised by the Home Office before applying again to avoid wasting resources.

Don’t let a visa refusal hold you back. Reapply and get our expert advice today.

How Soon Can I Reapply for a UK Visit Visa After Refusal?

There is no set time when you can reapply for a UK visitor visa. But it is essential to reapply when you have met all the suitability requirements. If your application was rejected before, then whatever you present again must be stronger.

Include additional documents that can prove that:

• you can sustain yourself in the UK. This can be done by submitting your bank statements or getting your host to undertake for you.
• show evidence of how you are tied to your country. For example, you can show an employment letter, school admission letter, or proof of your business.
• provide your travel itinerary. Here you can show the Home Office the hotel you have booked, your return ticket proving you will be leaving the UK after your visit, and places you hope to tour.

Once you get these together, you can reapply again.

Do Refusal Rates Vary by Nationality?

Yes, refusal rates vary by nationality. While every application is considered individually and without bias, some nationals tend to have higher visa refusal rates than others. This is usually because of the history the citizens of those countries have with immigration rules.

There are some countries whose nationals have a high and unwanted record of breaking immigration rules. These rules range from overstaying, working when they are not supposed to, or longer than permitted and applying for a visa without sufficient funds.

Applications from citizens of these countries with bad immigration records are usually subjected to more rigorous scrutiny. Also, citizens of poor, war-torn countries have more to prove than citizens of wealthy and peaceful nations.

Citizens of Saudi Arabia, China, Belarus, North Korea, South Africa, Serbia, and Qatar have approval rates above 90%. In comparison, citizens of Botswana, Somalia, Afghanistan, Namibia, Eritrea, and Yemen have less than 50% approval rates.

If you are a citizen of these countries with low approval rates, you have to go the extra mile to prove the genuineness of your application.

This is done by proving beyond doubt that:

• you’re visiting the UK purely for business or leisure purposes and not for work
• you’ll exit the UK once your permit duration ends
• you’re capable of supporting yourself and any of your dependants during your stay
• you’re capable of paying for any other cost you’ll incur while visiting.

It is also essential to ensure that all the information you provide the Home Office is accurate and comprehensive. Your application will be refused if there are errors, falsifications, or unverifiable details.

How Can IAS Help?

No one smiles at the face of visa application rejection because of the time, energy, and resources it takes to prepare an application. But don’t lose heart if you applied for a UK visitor visa and it was refused.

We have competent lawyers at IAS with years of experience and are well-versed in UK immigration laws. In addition, we are experts in dealing with UK visit visa rejections.

Contact us today and our team will review your case and guide you on the next steps. We will advise you on the cost and time to appeal or seek a review. Our team will help you assemble an exceptional case and represent you whether you are in or out of the UK. We can also help you build a robust application should you want to reapply.

For more information about how we can help you or if you’d like to speak with one of our immigration lawyers, call us on  0333 305 9375  or contact us online today.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

Table of Contents

Need help with an immigration issue? Book a one-to-one advice session with one of our legal caseworkers.

We can complete your visa application on your behalf, taking the stress and hassle out of the process.

Need to submit an application quickly? We can help you complete and send it off in as little as 24 hours.

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal with our legal support and guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an mp support a visitor visa application.

An MP can write to the Home Office to support a visitor visa application. However, this does not make your application stand out in any special way. The visa will still be rejected if your application has other irregularities, irrespective of the MP’s input.

You can contact your MP if you applied for a visa and it takes too long for the Home Office to respond. Your MP can wade the bureaucratic waters easier and faster and determine the delay.

Is Travel Medical Insurance Required for A UK Visitor Visa?

You do not need travel medical insurance to apply for a UK visitor visa. However, the Home Office advises that applicants always take out medical insurance, especially if they have pre-existing health conditions.

Will My Visa Application Fee Be Refunded if My Application is Refused?

The UK visitor visa application fee will not be refunded if your application is refused. This is because the fee you pay is what the Home Office uses to process your application and verify your documents.

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How To Improve The Odds Your Travel Visa Application Will Be Approved

C itizens of countries with powerful passports are quite privileged, with some never having to apply for a visa in their lifetime, much less worry about it being rejected. This is because some of the world's most powerful passports allow their holders to enter over 180 destinations visa-free.

With 195 countries in the world, those with powerful passports by no means allow free access to every country. There are cases where you will definitely need to apply for a visa. In some cases, "applying" for a visa is as simple as showing up at the airport and getting a stamp in your passport or paying a small fee when you pass through immigration.

In other cases, it can be a bit more complicated. If you are a U.S. citizen, you may need to apply for a visa for countries like India, Brazil, and Australia well in advance of your trip, and there is always a chance that your visa application may be rejected. However, we have some tips and tricks for you to follow that may improve the odds that your visa application will be approved.

Timing Is Everything When It Comes To Visas

Applying for a visa can give us travelers anxiety. You either need to wait to book flights, hotels, and excursions until after it's approved (which can take many weeks) or risk paying cancelation fees for everything if your visa is rejected. So, it should go without saying that you need to do your research in advance of deciding to go somewhere to determine if a visa is needed and, if it is, how long it takes to acquire said visa. Don't apply at the last minute and hope for the best.

Another aspect of your application timing you will need to check on is your passport expiration date. If your passport expires within six months of your travel dates, it's almost guaranteed that your visa application will be rejected, regardless of the country. This is a pretty universal rule and one you should follow regardless of whether you're applying for a visa. In fact, most countries will not allow you to enter if your passport is within six months of expiring.

You will also need to consider the duration of your tourist visa and ensure your travel plans start and end on the appropriate dates. You do not want to overstay your visa and risk fines, jail time, and deportation. You also will never be allowed back into the country if you're caught overstaying.

Use A Travel Visa Service Or Book Your Trip With A Travel Agency

When it comes to visas, sometimes it's better just to leave it to the professionals. For many countries with a strict, complicated, or lengthy visa application process, some companies offer travel visa expediting services to assist you with the process. For example, G3 is a popular visa expediting service that offers travelers the ability to apply for visas for a fee. The cost depends on your nationality and where you are applying for a visa but typically ranges in the hundreds of collars.

In other cases, like U.S. citizens traveling to Bhutan or Cuba, you can only apply for a visa as part of a tour package. For travel to these countries, it might be easier for you to book your trip with a tour group and apply for your visa with that agency or company. You might have to pay an additional service fee on top of the application fee, but taking the hassle of applying for a visa out of your hands will be worth it.

Read this next: Hotel Reservation Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making