UK visa administrative review provides a crucial opportunity to challenge visa decisions you believe were made in error. This comprehensive guide explains the administrative review process, success rates, processing times, and what to expect if your review is successful or unsuccessful—helping you understand your rights and options after a visa refusal.

Table of Contents

What is Administrative Review?
Eligibility for Administrative Review
Decisions Not Eligible for Administrative Review
How to Apply for Administrative Review
UK Visa Administrative Review Success Rate
Administrative Review Processing Time
Outcomes: Decision Overturned or Upheld
What Happens If Administrative Review Is Unsuccessful
Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding UK Visa Administrative Review

UK visa administrative review is a formal process that allows applicants to challenge certain visa decisions made by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Unlike a formal appeal to a tribunal, administrative review is an internal Home Office process designed to identify and correct caseworker errors in the original decision.

Administrative Review: A Home Office procedure allowing applicants to request that a different caseworker reviews their visa decision to check for errors in applying the Immigration Rules. It focuses on caseworker mistakes rather than reassessing the merits of the application with new evidence.

The administrative review process was introduced to provide a faster, more cost-effective remedy than traditional appeals for certain visa categories. It is governed by Appendix AR of the Immigration Rules, which sets out which decisions are eligible and the procedures that must be followed.

Key Information Administrative review is not the same as an appeal. It only checks whether the caseworker made errors when applying the Immigration Rules—it does not consider new evidence or reassess the application on its merits. If your refusal letter indicates appeal rights, you should use that route instead.

Eligibility for UK Visa Administrative Review

Quick Answer

Administrative review is available for most Points-Based System visa decisions including Skilled Worker, Student, and Global Talent visas. It applies to refusals, curtailments, and certain in-country and entry clearance decisions where no right of appeal exists. You must apply within strict deadlines: 14 days inside the UK or 28 days outside.

Not all visa decisions qualify for administrative review. The process is primarily available for decisions under the Points-Based System and certain other immigration routes where Parliament has removed the right of appeal. Your decision letter will specify whether administrative review is available for your case.

Decisions Eligible for Administrative Review

Skilled Worker visa: Refusals, curtailments, and extension decisions
Student visa: Refusals and curtailments for main applicants and dependants
Global Talent visa: Entry clearance and in-country decisions
Graduate visa: Refusals and curtailments
Scale-up visa: Entry clearance and extension decisions
Innovator Founder visa: Refusals and certain decisions
Temporary Worker routes (T5): Charity Worker, Creative, Religious Worker, and others
UK Ancestry visa: Certain refusal decisions
Border decisions: Cancellation of entry clearance at the UK border

Location	Application Deadline	Fee
Inside the UK (not detained)	14 calendar days from decision	£80
Inside the UK (detained)	7 calendar days from decision	£80
Outside the UK	28 calendar days from decision	£80
At the UK border	7-28 days depending on circumstances	£80

Decisions Not Eligible for Administrative Review

Quick Answer

Visitor visas, family visas (spouse, partner, parent), asylum decisions, and human rights claims are not eligible for administrative review. These categories either have formal appeal rights or other legal remedies. If your decision carries appeal rights, you must use that route instead.

Understanding which decisions cannot be challenged through administrative review is crucial. Attempting to use administrative review for an ineligible decision wastes time and money. The following categories have alternative remedies available, such as formal immigration appeals or judicial review.

Categories Excluded from Administrative Review

Visitor visas: All visitor visa refusals including Standard Visitor, Marriage Visitor, and Transit visas
Family visas: Spouse, partner, parent, and child visa decisions (these have appeal rights)
Human rights claims: Decisions on applications based on Article 8 or other human rights grounds
Asylum and protection claims: All decisions relating to refugee status or humanitarian protection
EU Settlement Scheme: Pre-settled and settled status decisions have separate review processes
Short-term student visas: English language courses under 11 months
Decisions with appeal rights: Any decision where your letter confirms a right of appeal to the tribunal

Critical: Check Your Decision Letter Always read your decision letter carefully. It will explicitly state whether administrative review is available and the deadline for applying. If you have appeal rights, using administrative review instead could cause you to miss your appeal deadline. For visitor visa refusals, reconsideration requests or fresh applications are the available options.

How to Apply for UK Visa Administrative Review

Quick Answer

Apply for administrative review online through the GOV.UK website within the deadline stated in your decision letter. You will need to pay the £80 fee, provide your application reference number, and explain which errors you believe the caseworker made. The review is conducted by a different officer from the one who made the original decision.

The Home Office administrative review application process is conducted entirely online through the official GOV.UK portal. You cannot submit a paper application. Before starting, gather all relevant information from your original visa application and decision letter.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1 - Confirm eligibility: Check your decision letter confirms administrative review is available
Step 2 - Identify errors: Review your refusal reasons and identify specific caseworker errors
Step 3 - Gather documents: Have your GWF reference number, decision letter, and original application details ready
Step 4 - Complete online form: Access the GOV.UK administrative review portal and complete the application
Step 5 - Pay the fee: Submit the £80 fee online (refunded if the review is successful)
Step 6 - Submit within deadline: Ensure submission before the deadline expires

What to Include in Your Administrative Review Request

Your administrative review application should clearly explain why you believe the original decision was wrong. Focus on demonstrating caseworker errors rather than providing new evidence:

Specific error identification: Point out exactly where the caseworker misapplied the Immigration Rules
Reference to original documents: Highlight supporting documents that were overlooked or misinterpreted
Immigration Rule citations: Quote the specific paragraphs of the Immigration Rules that support your case
Clear explanation: Provide a concise, factual explanation without emotional language

Caseworker Error: A mistake made by the Home Office official when processing your application. This includes misinterpreting evidence, failing to consider documents that were submitted, applying the wrong Immigration Rule, or making factual or calculation errors. Administrative review does not cover disagreements with how evidence was weighed or policy decisions.

UK Visa Administrative Review Success Rate

Quick Answer

The UK visa administrative review success rate varies by application type. In-country applications have approximately 20-30% success rates, while entry clearance (overseas) applications see around 8-15% of decisions overturned. Success depends on identifying genuine caseworker errors rather than simply disagreeing with the decision.

Understanding administrative review success rates helps set realistic expectations. While overall success rates may appear modest, applicants who identify genuine caseworker errors have significantly higher chances of having their decision overturned. The key is focusing on procedural mistakes rather than attempting to reargue the merits of your case.

Application Type	Typical Success Rate	Notes
In-Country Applications	20-30% overturned	Higher success due to accessible documentation
Entry Clearance (Overseas)	8-15% overturned	Lower success rate for overseas decisions
Border Decisions	15-25% overturned	Varies based on cancellation reasons

Factors That Improve Administrative Review Success

Clear caseworker error: Identifying a specific, demonstrable mistake in how the rules were applied
Overlooked evidence: Showing that submitted documents were not properly considered
Calculation mistakes: Pointing out errors in financial calculations or points assessments
Wrong rule applied: Demonstrating the caseworker applied incorrect Immigration Rules
Professional preparation: Well-structured applications with clear legal arguments

Fee Refund on Success If your administrative review is successful and the original decision is overturned, the £80 fee is refunded. This refund also applies if the Home Office finds the review application was invalid or if errors are corrected that change the outcome in your favour.

UK Visa Administrative Review Processing Time

Quick Answer

Administrative review processing time is typically 28 working days for most applications. In-country reviews are often completed faster, while overseas entry clearance reviews may take longer. Complex cases or high volumes can extend these timeframes. You will receive the outcome in writing once the review is complete.

The Home Office aims to complete administrative reviews within set timeframes, though actual processing times can vary based on complexity and workload. Unlike standard visa processing times, administrative review has specific service standards.

Review Type	Target Timeframe	Typical Reality
In-Country (standard)	28 working days	2-4 weeks in most cases
In-Country (detained)	7 working days	Expedited processing
Entry Clearance (overseas)	28 working days	4-6 weeks common
Border decisions	28 working days	3-5 weeks typical

What Affects Processing Time?

Case complexity: Multiple refusal reasons or complex circumstances require more review time
Application volume: Peak periods may result in longer processing times
Document retrieval: Accessing original application files can cause delays
Quality of submission: Clear, well-organised review requests are processed more efficiently

Administrative Review Outcomes: Decision Overturned or Upheld

Quick Answer

Administrative review can result in three outcomes: decision overturned (you get your visa), decision upheld (refusal stands), or decision amended (errors corrected but outcome unchanged). If overturned, your visa is granted and the fee refunded. If upheld, you may pursue other remedies such as judicial review or a fresh application.

Understanding the possible outcomes of administrative review helps you plan your next steps. The reviewing officer—who is different from the original decision-maker—will assess whether errors were made and whether those errors affected the outcome of your application.

Possible Administrative Review Results

Decision overturned: The original refusal is withdrawn and your visa is granted. The £80 fee is refunded
Decision upheld: No errors were found, or errors did not affect the outcome. The original refusal stands
Decision amended: Errors are corrected but the overall outcome remains a refusal (for different reasons)
Review withdrawn: You can withdraw your review at any time before a decision is made

Decision Overturned: When an administrative review finds that the original caseworker made errors that affected the outcome, the decision is "overturned" meaning the refusal is withdrawn. The applicant is then granted the visa they originally applied for, and the administrative review fee is refunded.

What Happens If Your Administrative Review Is Successful?

If your administrative review results in the decision being overturned:

Visa granted: You will receive your visa or leave to remain as originally applied for
Fee refunded: The £80 administrative review fee is returned to you
BRP collection: If inside the UK, you will be issued a new Biometric Residence Permit
Vignette issuance: If overseas, you will receive instructions to collect your entry clearance vignette

What Happens If Administrative Review Is Unsuccessful?

Quick Answer

If your administrative review is unsuccessful, the original refusal stands. Your options include judicial review (if the decision was unlawful), submitting a fresh application addressing the refusal reasons, or exploring alternative visa routes. You cannot appeal to a tribunal after an unsuccessful administrative review for most visa categories.

When an administrative review upholds the original decision, you need to carefully consider your next steps. The unsuccessful outcome does not necessarily mean the end of your immigration journey—several options remain available depending on your circumstances and the reasons for refusal.

Options After Unsuccessful Administrative Review

Judicial review: Challenge the lawfulness of the decision in the High Court (strict time limits apply)
Fresh application: Submit a new application addressing all the refusal reasons with stronger evidence
Alternative visa routes: Explore other visa categories that may be suitable for your circumstances
Legal advice: Consult an immigration solicitor to assess the strength of further action

Option	Best For	Time Limit
Judicial Review	Unlawful decision-making process	Promptly, within 3 months
Fresh Application	Changed circumstances or stronger evidence	No time limit
Alternative Route	Meeting requirements for different visa	Depends on visa type

Critical: Judicial Review Deadlines If you believe the Home Office acted unlawfully, judicial review must be initiated promptly—typically within 3 months of the administrative review decision, though courts expect action much sooner. Delay can result in your case being rejected regardless of merit. Seek legal advice immediately if considering this route.

Quick Checklist: Administrative Review Application

Confirm your decision letter states administrative review is available
Identify specific caseworker errors in applying the Immigration Rules
Gather your GWF reference number and original application details
Apply online within the deadline (14/28 days depending on location)
Pay the £80 fee (refunded if successful)
Provide clear, factual explanations of errors without emotional language
Keep copies of your submission and confirmation receipt
Await decision within 28 working days (typically)

Key Takeaways

UK visa administrative review checks for caseworker errors—it does not reassess your application with new evidence
Success rates range from 8-30% depending on application type, with in-country reviews having higher success
Apply within strict deadlines: 14 days inside the UK or 28 days outside the UK
The £80 fee is refunded if your administrative review is successful
Visitor visas, family visas, and decisions with appeal rights are not eligible for administrative review

Frequently Asked Questions About UK Visa Administrative Review

What is an administrative review?

An administrative review is a Home Office process that allows applicants to challenge certain visa decisions by having a different caseworker check for errors. It focuses on mistakes in applying the Immigration Rules rather than reassessing the application on its merits. The process costs £80 and must be submitted within 14 days (inside UK) or 28 days (outside UK) of the decision.

What is the UK visa administrative review success rate?

The UK visa administrative review success rate varies by application type. In-country applications see approximately 20-30% of decisions overturned, while entry clearance (overseas) applications have success rates of around 8-15%. Success depends on identifying genuine caseworker errors rather than simply disagreeing with the decision. Well-prepared applications that clearly demonstrate mistakes have significantly higher success rates.

How long does administrative review take?

Administrative review processing time is typically 28 working days. In-country reviews are often completed within 2-4 weeks, while overseas entry clearance reviews may take 4-6 weeks. Detained applicants receive expedited processing within 7 working days. Complex cases or high application volumes can extend these timeframes beyond the standard targets.

What happens if my administrative review is successful?

If your administrative review is successful and the decision is overturned, you will be granted the visa you originally applied for. The £80 fee is refunded. If you are inside the UK, you will receive a new Biometric Residence Permit. If overseas, you will receive instructions to collect your entry clearance vignette from the visa application centre.

What happens if my administrative review is unsuccessful?

If your administrative review is unsuccessful, the original refusal stands and the £80 fee is not refunded. Your options include: judicial review if you believe the decision was unlawful (strict time limits apply), submitting a fresh application addressing all refusal reasons with stronger evidence, or exploring alternative visa routes. You cannot appeal to a tribunal after an unsuccessful administrative review for most visa categories.

Can I submit new evidence with my administrative review?

No, administrative review is not designed to consider new evidence. The process only checks whether caseworker errors were made when assessing your original application. You cannot submit new documents, updated information, or additional evidence that was not part of your original application. If you have new evidence, a fresh application may be more appropriate than administrative review.

Is administrative review the same as an appeal?

No, administrative review is not the same as an appeal. Administrative review is an internal Home Office check for caseworker errors, costs £80, and is decided within weeks. An appeal is heard by an independent tribunal, can consider new evidence and legal arguments, takes longer, and is available for different visa categories (mainly human rights and family cases). If your decision letter offers appeal rights, you should use that route instead of administrative review.

Can I get a refund of the administrative review fee?

Yes, the £80 administrative review fee is refunded if the review is successful and the original decision is overturned. The fee is also refunded if the Home Office determines the review application was invalid (for example, if the decision was not eligible for administrative review). If the review is unsuccessful and the decision is upheld, the fee is not refunded.

For official guidance on administrative review, visit the GOV.UK administrative review page.