A1.49 Requesting an Administrative Review of a UK Visa

Ask for a Visa Administrative Review (September 2025)

Official link: https://www.gov.uk/ask-for-a-visa-administrative-review

A visa administrative review is a procedure for applicants whose visa or immigration application has been refused (or whose visa has been cancelled at the border) to request the UK Home Office to re-examine the validity of its decision. Your decision letter will state whether you have the right to apply for an administrative review.

1. Applicants Outside the UK

You must meet all of the following criteria:

1. You are not in the UK.

2. You submitted your visa application outside the UK.

3. Your application has been refused.

Note: There is a different review route if you applied as a Frontier Worker or a Service Provider from Switzerland.

Other Requirements

• Application Time Limit: You must apply within 28 days of receiving the decision.

• Fee: £80.

• Application Method: Apply online via the official website.

Obtaining a Decision

• Processing Time: Currently, it may take 12 months or longer. If no decision is made within 6 months, the Home Office will contact you with an update. The processing delay will not affect your rights.

• Second Review: You cannot apply for a second review unless the outcome of the first review identifies new reasons for your refusal. Your decision letter will specify whether you are eligible for a second review.

Withdrawing a Request

• Automatic Withdrawal: Your request for an administrative review will be automatically withdrawn (cancelled) if you submit any other immigration or visa application.

• Voluntary Withdrawal: You can email administrative.reviews@homeoffice.gov.uk to request withdrawal. The application fee is non-refundable. The email must include your full name, date of birth, nationality and your Global Web Form (GWF) reference number.

2. Applicants Inside the UK

You must meet all of the following criteria:

1. You are in the UK.

2. You submitted your application inside the UK.

3. Your application has been refused.

Note: If you are not eligible for an administrative review, you can appeal against the immigration decision.

Note: There is a different application route for Frontier Workers or Service Providers from Switzerland.

Other Requirements

• Application Time Limit

• Normally within 14 days of receiving the decision.

• Within 7 days if you are detained on the same day you receive the decision.

• Fee and Method: £80, to be applied for online.

Obtaining a Decision

• Processing may take 12 months or longer. You will receive an update if no decision is made within 6 months, and the delay will not impact your rights.

• The rules for a second review are the same as those for applicants outside the UK.

• Before the review outcome is issued, you will generally not be deported from the UK even if your visa expires.

Withdrawing a Request

• Automatic Withdrawal: Your request will be automatically withdrawn if:

• You submit any other immigration or visa application.

• You request the return of your passport for travel purposes.

• You leave the UK.

• Voluntary Withdrawal: You can email admin.review.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk to request withdrawal. The fee is non-refundable. The email must include your full name, date of birth, nationality, and your administrative review payment reference number or Home Office reference number.

3. Visa Cancelled at the Border

1. You can request a review of the decision to cancel your visa.

2. The cancellation must be based on one of the following reasons: a change in your circumstances, provision of false information, or failure to disclose relevant facts.

Other Requirements

1. Fee and Method: £80, to be applied for online.

2. Application Time Limit and Location

• You must submit the application from inside the UK within 14 days of your visa being cancelled (or within 7 days if detained on the same day of cancellation).

• For cancellations at specific border points outside the UK: Applications must be submitted within 28 days of cancellation, and this only applies to cancellations at border control points in Paris, Brussels, Dunkirk, Coquelles, Calais, and Lille.

Obtaining a Decision

• Processing Time: Currently, it usually takes 28 days or longer.

• The rules for a second review are the same as the two scenarios above.

• If you are in the UK, you will generally not be deported before the review is completed.

Withdrawing a Request

• Automatic Withdrawal: The conditions are the same as those for administrative review applications submitted inside the UK (submitting a new application, requesting a passport for travel, or leaving the UK).

• Voluntary Withdrawal: You can email Admin.Review.BF@homeoffice.gov.uk to request withdrawal. The fee is non-refundable. The email must include your full name, date of birth, nationality, and your administrative review payment reference number or Home Office reference number