A1.51 Appealing a UKVI Decision

Appeal Against a UK Visa or Immigration Decision (September 2025)

Official link: https://www.gov.uk/immigration-asylum-tribunal

You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) against the following decisions made by the UK Home Office:

1. Refusal of your protection claim (also referred to as an ‘asylum claim’ or ‘humanitarian protection claim’)

2. Revocation of your protection status

3. Refusal of your human rights claim

4. Refusal to issue you a residence document or deportation of you under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016

5. Revocation of your British citizenship

6. Refusal or revocation of your status, variation of the length or conditions of your stay, or deportation of you under the EU Settlement Scheme

7. Refusal or revocation of your travel permit or family permit, or restriction of your right to enter or leave the UK under those permits, in accordance with the EU Settlement Scheme

8. Refusal or revocation of your permit, or deportation of you, if you are a frontier worker

9. Refusal or revocation of your leave to remain, or deportation of you, if you are an S2 healthcare visitor

The tribunal is independent of the government. A judge will hear arguments from both sides before making a decision.

Important Notes

1. If you do not have the right to appeal, you may request an administrative review from the Home Office.

2. If your frontier worker permit or S2 healthcare visitor visa application is refused, you can reapply for free if you have new evidence to submit.

How to Appeal

The method of appeal depends on whether you are appealing in person or via a legal professional acting on your behalf.

1. Appealing in Person (Without a Solicitor or Immigration Adviser)

• Online appeal: This is the standard route for most cases.

• Appeal by post or email: Generally not recommended.

• Note: You cannot appeal online if you are in detention.

2. Appealing via a Solicitor or Immigration Adviser

• For most cases, you must appeal online using the MyHMCTS service.

• A paper form may only be used if your client is in detention.

Support Available During the Appeal Process

1. You can seek assistance from a solicitor or immigration adviser.

2. You can contact Citizens Advice for guidance.

3. Read the guide on representing yourself if you do not have legal representation.

4. If your asylum claim is refused, you may be eligible for asylum support (such as accommodation and financial assistance).

5. For queries about the appeal process, you can contact the tribunal (note: the tribunal cannot provide legal advice).

Online Appeals

Appeal Time Limits

1. Inside the UK: Within 14 days of receiving the decision letter.

2. Outside the UK: Within 28 days of receiving the decision letter.

3. If the decision requires you to leave the UK to appeal: Within 28 days of leaving the UK.

Online Appeal Process

1. Create an account on the official government website.

2. Prepare the following information/documents: Home Office reference number, supporting documents, email address or mobile phone number.

3. Use the online service to: submit your appeal, upload documents, request a hearing, apply for special support (e.g., an interpreter), and receive the tribunal’s decision.

If You Cannot Use the Online Service

You can apply to appeal by post or email instead.

Oral Hearings

1. You can request either an oral hearing or a paper-only hearing when submitting your appeal.

2. The tribunal may decide to hold an oral hearing even if you do not request one.

3. Hearings are usually public, but you can apply for a closed hearing or to attend via video link (you must provide a reason, e.g., risk of harm from a public hearing).

4. You can request a judge of a specific gender (a valid reason must be provided).

Fees

• Paper-only hearing: £80

• Oral hearing: £140

• Fee waivers or reductions: Eligibility applies to certain groups, including those receiving asylum support, legal aid recipients, under-18s in local authority care, individuals with low savings, claimants of specific benefits, and those on low incomes.

• Payment method: Credit or debit card can be used to pay when submitting an online appeal.

Appeals by Post or Email

Appeal Time Limits

Same as for online appeals.

Appeal Process

1. Submit your appeal using the IAFT-1 form (unless you are in detention).

2. If you are in detention, use the IAFT-5(GDA) form.

3. Solicitors or advisers may only use paper forms if their client is in detention.

4. Next steps: The tribunal will review your appeal and inform you of the next actions, which may include a request for fee payment or additional information (using form IAFT-2).

Oral Hearings

The same rules apply as for online appeals.

Additional Requirements

1. Use form IAFT-3 to apply for hearing support (e.g., interpreter services, wheelchair access).

2. You can request an extension or a change to details (e.g., hearing date).

Fees and Payment

The same fee rules apply as for online appeals. The tribunal will send instructions on how to pay after receiving your IAFT-1 form.

Emergency Appeals

You can request an expedited (urgent) hearing at any point during the appeal process.

How to Apply

1. You or your legal representative must provide the tribunal with reasons for the expedited request, along with supporting evidence (e.g., a letter from a doctor or hospital).

2. Mark “URGENT REQUEST” at the top of all submitted documents.

3. A judge will review the evidence and decide whether to accelerate the case.

Application Methods

1. Online appellants: Submit the request via your MyHMCTS account.

2. Postal appellants or detained individuals: Send the reasons and evidence to the specified address/email (contact details provided below).

Attending a Hearing

1. You will be notified by letter or email of how to attend (in person, via video call, or by telephone).

2. You can check the tribunal’s daily list on the hearing date to confirm for any changes.

3. If witnesses or other relevant individuals are outside the UK and wish to give evidence via video/audio link, contact the tribunal as soon as possible to make a request.

Who Attends a Hearing

• Typically includes: the judge, court clerk, your representative, a Home Office presenting officer, witnesses, and an interpreter (if requested).

• May also include: your sponsor, members of the public, or media representatives (for public hearings).

Special Assistance

If you require special arrangements (e.g., wheelchair access), contact the customer service team in advance.

Note

If a hearing cannot proceed on the scheduled date, it will be rescheduled or adjourned.

Receiving the Decision

Possible Outcomes

1. Appeal allowed: This does not automatically grant you entry or leave to remain in the UK; it usually means the Home Office must reconsider its original decision.

2. Appeal dismissed: The Home Office’s original decision is upheld.

How to Receive the Decision

1. You will usually receive a copy of the decision within 4 weeks of the hearing.

2. Either party can appeal the tribunal’s decision to a higher court.

3. The tribunal may order either party to pay the other’s costs if their conduct was unreasonable.

If You Win the Appeal

1. The Home Office will amend its original decision.

2. The judge may order the Home Office to reimburse you for your appeal fee (up to the amount you paid).

3. If you do not receive reimbursement within 60 days, email the Home Office to enquire about the delay.

If You Lose the Appeal

If you believe the tribunal’s decision contains a legal error (e.g., incorrect application of the law, failure to follow procedure, or lack of evidential support), you can apply for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber).

Note

You can access the tribunal’s decision database to view past immigration and asylum appeal outcomes for reference.

Contact Details

First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)

• Email: contactia@justice.gov.uk

• Telephone: 0300 123 1711

Expedite Requests (First-tier Tribunal)

Office of the Duty Judge

First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)

PO Box 11205

Southfield Road

Loughborough

LE11 9PS