How do I ask for an administrative review of a visa refusal?

For people whose UK visa application was refused, or whose visa was cancelled at the border.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

An administrative review asks the Home Office to look again at a visa refusal. Your decision letter tells you if you can ask for one.

In the UK: apply within 14 days of the decision, or 7 days if you are detained.
Outside the UK: apply within 28 days of the decision.
It costs £80 and you apply online.
It can currently take 12 months or more.
You usually cannot ask for a second review.

Key facts

In UK: 14 days to apply
Outside UK: 28 days
Costs £80
Can take 12 months or more

Deadlines

Where you are	Deadline to apply
In the UK, and you applied in the UK	Within 14 days of getting the decision
In the UK and detained	Within 7 days
Outside the UK, and you applied outside the UK	Within 28 days of getting the decision
Visa cancelled at the UK border and you were given temporary admission	Within 14 days of the cancellation
Visa cancelled at the UK border and you were detained	Within 7 days of the cancellation
Visa cancelled at the border in Paris, Brussels, Dunkirk, Coquelles, Calais or Lille	Within 28 days of the cancellation

Count from the day you got the decision. Do not wait until the last day.

What an administrative review is

An administrative review asks the Home Office to check its own decision to refuse your visa. Your decision letter tells you if you can ask for one. If you cannot, the letter may say you can appeal to the immigration tribunal instead.

Steps to take

Read your refusal letter. Check it says you can ask for an administrative review, and note the date.
Work out your deadline using the table above.
Apply online and pay the £80 fee.
Wait for the result. If you have not heard within 6 months, the Home Office will contact you with an update.

What to include

your application reference and the decision letter details
each reason you think the decision was wrong, linked to the refusal reasons in the letter
a clear and short explanation for each point

Keep copies of everything you send.

Time and cost

The review costs £80. It can currently take 12 months or more to get the result. For a visa cancelled at the border, it usually takes 28 days or more. If you are in the UK and your visa has expired, you will not usually be removed from the UK until the review is finished.

Things that end your review

Your request will be withdrawn if you:

make another immigration application
ask for your passport back so you can travel
leave the UK (if you applied in the UK)

If it is withdrawn, your £80 is not refunded.

You cannot usually ask for a second review. The exception is if the first review found new reasons why the refusal was right.

Free help

Immigration advice must come from a regulated adviser. Citizens Advice can point you to free help. In Scotland you can also contact Citizens Advice Scotland, and in Northern Ireland, Advice NI. Get help early, because the deadline is short.

If you miss the deadline

The deadlines are strict, so act as soon as you get your letter. If the time has passed, get advice from a regulated immigration adviser about your options, such as making a new application.

The process is the same in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Ask for an administrative review

Common questions

How long do I have to ask for an administrative review?

14 days if you applied in the UK (7 days if detained), or 28 days if you are outside the UK.

Can I stay in the UK while I wait?

If your visa has expired, you will not usually be removed from the UK until your review is finished.

Will I get my £80 back if I withdraw?

No. If your request is withdrawn, for example because you make another application, the fee is not refunded.

Official sources

1.Ask for a visa administrative review (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/ask-for-a-visa-administrative-review
2.Administrative review if you're in the UK (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/ask-for-a-visa-administrative-review/if-youre-in-the-uk
3.Administrative review if you're outside the UK (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/ask-for-a-visa-administrative-review/if-youre-outside-the-uk

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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