If you have been refused a UK visa, an Administrative Review is a way to challenge the refusal decision of the Home Office. Unless your visa application is not a Visitor or Short Term Student visa, you have the right to apply for an Administrative Review. 

What is an Administrative Review?

Administrative Review is a process in which people applying for a UK visa can challenge the refusal on the basis that the decision is incorrect due to a case working error.

The Administrative Review differs from the Appeal to Visa decisions. While an appeal is considered by the Court, an Administrative Review is considered by Home Office. The Administrative Review is conducted by a separate team that is independent of the original decision-maker.

When applying for an Administrative Review, you cannot challenge the reasoning behind the refusal. You only challenge any errors in the refusal decision. The decision will be revisited for any errors in the review application.

Many visa categories such as business visas, skilled workers, work visas, and student visas are not allowed the right to appeal. In many cases, Administrative Review is the only option to challenge the refusal decision.

When can I apply for an Administrative Review?

The process of reviewing a visa decision differs depending on if you’re outside the UK, in the UK, or if your visa was cancelled at the border. If your visa application is refused, you will receive a notice from the Home Office outlining why this decision was taken and whether you have the option of an Administrative Review of the decision.

If you are outside the UK, you must apply within 28 days from the receipt of the refusal notice. If you are applying inside the UK, you have only 14 days.

The result of the Administrative Review will be delivered to you within 28 days. You can’t request a second review - unless the result of the review found new reasons why you were refused a visa.

Even if your visa has expired during the Administrative Review inside the UK, you won’t usually be removed from the UK until the outcome of the Administrative Review has been decided.

How do I apply for an Administrative Review?

You can make an Administrative Review application online and you need to pay £80 for applications inside the UK. In the application, mention the reasons for refusal and describe why you think a mistake was made in the decision. The key to a successful administrative review is to precisely pinpoint the error and clarify the errors made by an immigration official.

The Administrative Review is conducted on the refused submission, so no new information or documents can be submitted, unless you’ve been asked to submit them. However, if more documentation is requested, we can advise you to collect and organize it.

What happens if an Administrative Review is refused?

There are four possible outcomes to and application for Administrative Review:

•    Succeeds and the eligible decision is withdrawn, or

•    Does not succeed and the eligible decision remains in force, and all of the reasons given for the decision are maintained, or

•    Does not succeed and the eligible decision remains in force, but one or more of the reasons given for the decision are withdrawn, or

•    Does not succeed and the eligible decision remains in force but with different or additional reasons to those specified in the decision under review—note in this scenario, you may be entitled to apply for Administrative Review related to the new reasons

With an unsuccessful outcome of an administrative review application, you may be disappointed or devastated. You can make a new application or an appeal on human right grounds where applicable or seek a Judicial Review of the decision. 

If you need help with the Administrative Review, please leave a message.