Administrative Review of Visa Decisions

Administrative review is a narrower process than a full appeal. A UKVI reviewer (different from the original decision maker) checks whether the original decision contained a case working error. This means:

• The decision was made on incorrect consideration of the facts (e.g., a document was overlooked);
• The wrong legal provision was applied;
• There was a mathematical or factual error;
• The decision was made in breach of the duty to consider evidence submitted.

Administrative review does not allow a full reconsideration on the merits, nor does it generally allow new evidence to be submitted. The limited exceptions include where the original decision was based on a document that has since been verified as genuine, or where evidence was requested but not given adequate consideration.

Administrative review applications are submitted online through the UKVI portal. You need the application reference number from the original refusal decision. The fee for in-country reviews is £80. Overseas reviews are free.

In your review application, you must identify the specific case working error you believe was made. Stating simply that you disagree with the decision is not sufficient — you must point to a specific error. This is why getting legal advice before submitting an administrative review is important: an experienced adviser can identify genuine errors and articulate them correctly.

The review is conducted on the papers — there is no hearing or opportunity to make oral representations. A decision is generally made within 28 days for in-country reviews. If the review is successful, the original decision is withdrawn and the application is reconsidered (which may result in approval or a fresh refusal on different grounds). If the review fails, the original decision stands.

If the administrative review is successful and the application is reconsidered and approved, you will be granted leave. If the reconsidered application is still refused (on different grounds), you may be able to request a further administrative review of the new decision.

If the administrative review fails (the reviewer finds no case working error), the original refusal stands. At this point, your options are:

• Reapply — submit a new application, paying the fee again, with improved evidence that addresses the refusal reasons;
• Judicial review — if there is a legal error in the review decision itself, a judicial review in the Upper Tribunal may be possible, but this is expensive and technically complex.

Administrative review decisions are not themselves subject to a further administrative review in most cases. The system is designed as a single-stage check, not a multi-round process.