Administrative Review (AR) Of Home Office, UKVI Refusal Decision
An Administrative Review of UK Visa Refusal is a review or reconsideration of your immigration application following refusal of the same by the Home Office UKVI. Refusal of certain immigration applications known as eligible decisions can only be challenged by way of Administrative Review (AR). If you think that the Home Office, UKVI has made a mistake about the result of your application to remain in the UK or in refusing you entry to the UK at the border you can ask the Home Office UKVI to review the decision.
This review will be done by a different UKVI official, but using the same documents and facts sent with your original immigration application unless the refusal of the application was under the EU Settlement Scheme in which case you can send new or fresh evidence to be considered by the Home Office UKVI in Administrative Review.
If decision to refuse your immigration application is maintained following an Administrative Review (AR), you then have the legal remedy to challenge the immigration decision further by way of Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) For Judicial Review (JR) Against Home Office UKVI and Judicial Review (JR) In The Upper Tribunal (UT).
Our expert immigration solicitors are here to support you at every stage, whether you are facing a visa refusal or have had your leave to remain cancelled at the UK border. We offer clear, strategic advice to help you challenge the decision and work towards a just outcome. Get your appointment book today.
What is an Administrative Review?
Administrative Review (AR) is a structured legal remedy designed to correct specific case working errors made by the UK Home Office in certain immigration decisions. It offers individuals an opportunity to have their application reconsidered without needing to go to court, but only where the refusal was based on a mistake — such as the misapplication of immigration rules, overlooking relevant evidence, or misinterpreting key facts.
Unlike an appeal or a judicial review, AR is an internal Home Office process, conducted on paper by a different officer who was not involved in the original decision. There is no hearing, and new evidence is only permitted if it directly disproves the reason for refusal, such as allegations of deception or late submission.
AR is available only for eligible immigration decisions, primarily under points-based routes like the Skilled Worker, Student, Innovator, or Global Talent visas, and also in some cases involving cancellation of leave at the UK border. It must be requested within a strict timeframe — 14 days if the applicant is inside the UK or 28 days if outside. The application fee is £80, which will be refunded if the Home Office admits an error and overturns the decision.
Importantly, Administrative Review does not offer a chance to re-argue your case or submit new information. It focuses solely on correcting legal or procedural mistakes. If no error is found, the original decision stands. However, if the Home Office introduces new refusal reasons during the review, applicants may be entitled to submit a second AR addressing those new grounds.
Given its limited scope, applicants are strongly advised to seek legal advice before applying for an Administrative Review to ensure it is the right step in their immigration journey.
Administrative Review (AR) Against Refusal Of Entry Clearance Applications
Under the Immigration Act 2014, the Home Office removed the right to appeal entry clearance refusals from outside the UK. Instead, applicants may be entitled to request an Administrative Review (AR) if they receive an eligible decision. The refusal notice will confirm whether AR is available and explain how to apply.
Applicants must use the AR form provided with their decision notice or follow instructions to download it. The review must be submitted within 28 calendar days of receiving the refusal. For overseas applications, there is currently no fee for AR. The review is conducted by an Entry Clearance Manager (ECM), who will assess whether a case working error occurred.
Where the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) was paid:
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It is not refunded while an AR is pending or within the period during which an in-time AR can be submitted.
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If the application was approved but for less time than requested, a partial IHS refund may be issued.
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If additional leave is granted following AR, the applicant must pay the extra IHS for the extended period.
If the AR is unsuccessful and the refusal is upheld, the applicant may pursue further legal action by initiating a Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) for Judicial Review (JR), followed by an application for Judicial Review in the Upper Tribunal if necessary.
Applicants are advised to review their refusal notice carefully and consider legal advice to ensure AR is the appropriate course of action.
Administrative Review (AR) Of In-Country Applications
By virtue of Immigration Act 2014, the Home Office, UKVI have removed right of in-country appeal to the First Tier Tribunal against refusal of certain applications made from inside the UK. The applicant in such cases has been given a right to seek Administrative Review (AR) against the refusal of the application. A request for an Administrative Review (AR) must be made to the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) within 14 days (28 days if refusal is under the EU Settlement Scheme) of the date of the receipt of the refusal letter).
If the Home Office has refused an application involving an eligible decision, the decision notice will tell the applicant if they can apply for administrative review. If the applicant’s application is successful but the applicant thinks the Home Office has granted the wrong period or conditions of immigration leave they can apply for an administrative review.
You can apply for Administrative Review of Uk visa refusal Online. There is a fee for an administrative review. The Administrative must be filed within 14 days (28 days if the refusal is under the EU Settlement Scheme) from the date of receipt of the UKVI refusal letter. The review will be done by a different person, but using the same documents and facts sent with your original application. If the result of the review is that the Home Office withdraws its original decision and grants you leave to remain in the UK (permission to stay), your fee paid for Administrative Review (AR) will be refunded. You should get a decision within 28 calendar days. The Home Office, UKVI will write if they think it will take longer. You cannot be removed from the UK whilst your request for Administrative Review (AR) is pending consideration with the Home Office, UKVI.
Which Immigration Decisions Can Be Challenged By Way Of An Administrative Review (AR)?
A person who has received an ‘eligible decision’ on an entry clearance application may apply for an Administrative Review (AR). According to Appendix AR:Administrative Review to the Immigration Rules, the Administrative Review (AR) right is available in case of refusal of the applications below:
Difference between Administrative Review & Right to Appeal
Administrative Review of UK Visa Refusal is an internal Home Office process to correct case working errors (e.g. wrong rule applied, evidence overlooked). It applies only to certain visa categories, mainly under the points-based system. There is no hearing, and new evidence is rarely accepted. It costs £80, must be submitted within 14 or 28 days, and is decided on paper by a different Home Office officer.
In contrast, the Right to Appeal is a formal legal challenge heard by an independent judge in the immigration tribunal. It applies to decisions involving human rights, asylum, or EU rights. Appeals allow for oral hearings, new evidence, and full legal arguments. They take longer but offer broader legal protection.
Who Has the Right to Apply for AR?
Not every Home Office decision can be challenged through Administrative Review — it is a specific remedy reserved for certain types of immigration decisions. To be eligible, the decision must fall under what the Home Office defines as an “eligible decision” within the Immigration Rules. If your visa application has been refused, you might have the right to request an Administrative Review — but only if your application falls into one of the qualifying categories.
| Graduate Visa | Global Talent Visa |
| Skilled Worker Visa | Representative of an Overseas Business |
| Scale Up Worker Visa | Hong Kong BN(O) Status Holder |
| Graduate Trainee Visa | Government Authorised Exchange Worker |
| Religious Worker Visa | International Sportsperson Visa |
| Innovator Founder Visa | UK Ancestry Visa |
| Global Business Mobility Visas | Youth Mobility Scheme |
| Student Visa | Temporary Worker Visas |
If you applied under a human rights or protection route—such as for asylum, based on private life, long residence, or as a family member under Appendix FM—or if you applied for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit, then you cannot challenge the decision through Administrative Review. However, you may still have the right to appeal the decision to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) instead.
Grounds for an Administrative Review
You can only apply for an Administrative Review of UK Visa Refusal if you believe the Home Office made a mistake (a “case working error”) that affected the outcome of your application — or one that could negatively affect any future immigration applications you may make.
Some Case Working Errors:
- Incorrect visa duration or conditions: If the Home Office granted leave but made an error in the length of stay or attached the wrong conditions (such as work restrictions or reporting requirements).
- Unjustified refusal based on alleged dishonesty: If your application was refused on the grounds of using false documents, making a misleading statement, or withholding relevant facts — but you believe this was wrongly assessed.
- Wrong immigration rule applied: If the decision-maker used the incorrect part of the Immigration Rules or misapplied the relevant criteria in assessing your case.
- Failure to request key documents: If the Home Office failed to ask for missing documents that they were supposed to request under evidential flexibility policies.
- Rejection based on timing errors: If your application was denied solely because it was considered late, even though it was actually submitted within the permitted timeframe.
If any of these errors apply, you may have strong grounds to request a review. The key is showing that the mistake had a material impact on the decision.
How to Apply For AR?
Applications for Administrative Review (AR) must usually be submitted online, in full compliance with the requirements set out in the UK Immigration Rules. You must pay the application fee (unless you qualify for an exemption) and ensure that all required sections of the online form are properly completed. Any mandatory documents listed in the application or relevant Home Office guidance must also be included. If your submission is incomplete, your application may be automatically rejected — so attention to detail is crucial.
It is highly recommended to consult an immigration lawyer before applying, especially if your case involves complex circumstances or previous refusals.
The Home Office will not accept new evidence, unless it directly affects the decision under review and falls into one of the following exceptions:
- It proves you did not commit deception, where this was a reason for refusal;
- It shows there was no change in your circumstances if your leave was cancelled at the border;
- It confirms your application was submitted within the allowed time limit, if timeliness was cited as a reason for refusal;
- It is evidence that should have been requested under the evidential flexibility rules for points-based applications.
Please note If you applied under the EU Settlement Scheme, as a Frontier Worker, an S2 Healthcare Visitor, or a Service Provider from Switzerland, the application process and review rules may be different. In such cases, it is advisable to seek specialist legal guidance tailored to your specific route.
What is the Fee of An Administrative Review?
The fee for an Administrative Review is £80, whether you apply from inside or outside the UK. This covers the full review, with no extra charge for dependants included in the original application. Refunds are only given if your application is invalid or the Home Office admits a case working error and withdraws the decision. You will not get a refund if the review is unsuccessful, if you withdraw the application, or if you submit a new visa application while your review is pending (which cancels the review automatically). Since the fee is non-refundable in most cases, it is important to ensure you have valid grounds before applying.
Time Limit to Apply for AR
If you are in the UK and have applied for further leave to remain, you must submit your Administrative Review application within 14 calendar days of receiving your decision notice or Biometric Residence Permit. If you were detained at the time of receiving the decision, the deadline is reduced to 7 calendar days.
For applicants who applied from outside the UK, the time limit is slightly longer, you will have 28 calendar days from the date you receive the refusal or decision you wish to challenge. It is important to act promptly, as late submissions are generally not accepted, and missing the deadline could affect your immigration status or future applications.
Possible Outcome of AR
Once your Administrative Review of UK Visa Refusal has been assessed, the Home Office may reach one of the following four outcomes:
Error Acknowledged – Decision Withdrawn
The Home Office accepts that a case working error was made in the original decision. As a result, the decision is formally withdrawn and corrected.
No Error Found – Decision Stands in Full
The Home Office determines that no case working error occurred. The original decision remains unchanged, and all the reasons provided for the refusal are upheld.
No Error, But Some Reasons Removed
Although the Home Office concludes that the decision did not involve a case working error, it decides to remove one or more of the refusal reasons. The decision itself remains valid.
No Error, But New or Additional Reasons Given
The Home Office maintains the refusal but replaces or supplements the original reasons with new or different grounds. In this scenario, you may be entitled to submit a second Administrative Review, but only in relation to the new reasons.
What if Review Application is Successful?
If the Home Office finds that your visa refusal was due to a case working error, the original decision will be withdrawn and replaced with a new, corrected outcome. If the revised assessment determines that your application should have been approved, you will be granted a visa consistent with the terms of your initial submission. The new grant of leave will be valid from the date the incorrect decision was officially withdrawn. In addition, your £80 administrative review fee will be refunded as part of the correction process.
What if Review Application is not Successful?
If the Home Office determines that the original decision on your visa or immigration application — including the conditions or duration of leave granted — was correct, you will receive a formal notice confirming that the decision has been upheld. There is no right of appeal against the outcome of an Administrative Review. Additionally, you cannot request a second review unless the result of the first review introduces new refusal reasons. In such cases, you may be eligible to submit a further Administrative Review, but only in response to those newly stated grounds. Your decision letter will clearly indicate whether this option is available to you.
If you believe the outcome remains legally flawed, you may consider pursuing a Judicial Review, which challenges the lawfulness of the decision. It is strongly advised to seek guidance from our experienced immigration judicial review solicitor before taking this route.
Get Help from Sunrise Solicitors
Receiving a visa refusal or having your leave cancelled at the UK border can be deeply frustrating — especially when you believe the decision was made in error. At Sunrise Solicitors, we understand how stressful and time-sensitive these situations can be.
Our specialist immigration solicitors are here to provide clear, strategic guidance on whether your case qualifies for an Administrative Review of UK Visa Refusal and to support you through every stage of the process. From identifying potential case working errors to preparing a robust and well-argued application, we ensure your request for review is submitted accurately and on time.
Whether you’re challenging a refusal under a points-based route, a visa cancellation at the border, or an incorrect grant of leave, our team brings years of experience and a strong success record in overturning Home Office decisions. Let Sunrise Solicitors help you pursue the best possible outcome. For tailored advice or a confidential consultation, get in touch with us today.