Advice after a refusal
A refusal is hard news. A careful reading of the decision is the first step to knowing what can be done.
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Advice from £360 legal fee
A detailed consultation on your refusal, including VAT. Any challenge, appeal or new application is quoted before work starts.
The usual options at a glance
Read the letter
Your decision letter says whether you have a right of appeal or can ask for an administrative review.
Appeal
Where the letter gives a right of appeal, for example when a human rights claim is refused, an independent tribunal judge hears both sides.
Administrative review
If you applied from outside the UK, are outside it and the letter allows it: apply within 28 days of getting the decision.
A new application
Fixing what the refusal points to. Making any new application withdraws an administrative review that is still pending.
Who this may be for
- Anyone whose partner, fiancé(e), child or parent application has been refused.
- People who are unsure whether they can appeal, ask for an administrative review or apply again.
Time limits for challenging a decision can be short and start from the decision date. Your decision letter usually says whether you have a right of appeal or can ask for an administrative review.
What is usually looked at
- The reasons for refusal
- Exactly which requirements the Home Office says were not met, and why.
- Your options
- Whether a new application, an administrative review or an appeal may be possible.
- Time limits
- The deadlines that apply to your decision.
- Evidence
- Whether the refusal points to evidence that was missing or could be stronger.
What to have ready
Not a GOV.UK list: these are the papers that let a solicitor read your refusal properly. Have them to hand when you speak to Bright & Day.
The decision
- The refusal letter, with the date you received it
- Any later letters or emails from the Home Office
Your application
- A copy of the application form you sent
- The documents you sent with it
- Your GWF reference number, from Home Office emails and letters
Since then
- Anything that has changed, such as a new job, a marriage or a child
- Evidence you have now that was missing before
The application, in general terms
This information is general and is not legal advice. Whether a route is open to you depends on your personal circumstances and the rules at the time you apply.
Read the decision
Keep the decision letter and note its date.
Get advice quickly
Contact a lawyer as soon as you can, because deadlines may apply.
Choose a way forward
A new application, an administrative review or an appeal, depending on your case.
How Bright & Day can help
Tell Bright & Day's team a little about your situation. The first form only asks for the basics.
Discuss your case- Read the refusal decision with you and explain it in plain language.
- Advise on the options that may be open, including appeals where there is a right of appeal.
- Explain what a fresh application would need to address.
- Give you a quote for further work before anything starts.
Official GOV.UK guidance
- Appeal to the immigration and asylum tribunal · GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Ask for an administrative review · GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
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This information is general and is not legal advice. Whether a route is open to you depends on your personal circumstances and the rules at the time you apply.