Administrative Review

Administrative review is, essentially, a formal request to the Home Office to reconsider an immigration decision that may have resulted from a mistake. It is a process in which people applying for visa applications or entry clearance can challenge the refusal on the basis that the decision is incorrect due to a case working error at the Home Office (as defined by the Immigration Rules).

If you are in the UK, you will be informed in your decision letter if you can ask for the decision on your application to be reviewed. This is known as an administrative review. The administrative review guidance provides a lengthy list of case-working errors and permits only certain case-working errors to be raised for the purposes of administrative review. We can discuss this with you if applicable.

You can only apply for an administrative review if all of the following apply:

• you’re in the UK
• you applied in the UK
• your application was refused
• your application was granted but you’re unhappy with the amount or conditions of your leave

You may be able to appeal against the immigration decision if you’re not eligible for an administrative review. We can discuss this with you if applicable.

Whilst there are some exceptions, an administrative review only applies if an eligible decision has been made. This depends on whether the decision was made within the UK (in country), outside the UK or at the border.

Standard applications that are eligible for immigration administrative review include:

• Dependant visas
• Visa application mistakes
• EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Application Refusal
• Global Talent visas
• Points based system dependent applications;
• Start-up and Innovator visas
• Overseas Business visa extensions
• Student, child student, and parent of a child student applications;
• Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 5, Skilled Worker visas, Health & Care worker visas, Sportsperson visas, Minister of Religion visas
• UK Ancestry visas

The list is not exhaustive. There are further categories where applications are not eligible for administrative review. We can discuss this with you if applicable.

You may request an administrative review form outside the UK providing the immigration rules and criteria are met. We can discuss this with you if applicable.

If you believe you have cause for administrative review or you wish to discuss matters concerning administrative review, contact our immigration team now. Our experts have an in-depth understanding of the process, enabling clear explanations and guidance to help you secure a successful outcome.