Administrative Review
Administrative review challenges a points-based visa refusal where you believe the Home Office caseworker made an error. You have 14 days from the date of the decision, and the deadline cannot be extended.
- 14 days
- Deadline to request a review from the decision date
- £80
- Administrative review fee for most applications
- 28 days
- Usual time for the Home Office to decide the review
- Paper-based
- A file review, with no oral hearing
What this means
Administrative review is narrow by design. It asks the Home Office to look again at its own decision, and only where the caseworker got something wrong.
Administrative review (AR) is a mechanism to challenge points-based system visa refusals where you believe the Home Office caseworker made an error. It is quicker and simpler than a full appeal, but it can only be used for specific types of error.
We do not handle administrative reviews directly. We work with specialist advisers who are experts in challenging Home Office errors. We will assess your refusal notice, identify potential caseworker errors, and connect you with the right specialist to submit your AR application within the 14-day deadline.
Deadline
Who can use it
Administrative review is available for these visa categories.
- Skilled Worker visa
- Student visa
- Global Talent visa
- Innovator Founder visa
- Graduate visa
- Most other points-based system applications
Your options
Whether you have a case depends entirely on what went wrong. These are the grounds that work, and the ones that do not.
Caseworker errors — valid grounds
The caseworker failed to consider evidence you submitted, made a factual error such as wrong dates or figures, applied the wrong immigration rules, or made a calculation error on maintenance funds or salary.
Not valid grounds
Disagreement with the decision or its interpretation, submitting new evidence that was not in the original application, your own errors in the application, or challenging immigration policy or the rules themselves.
Administrative review or appeal
The two routes differ on who can use them, what they are for, and how long they take.
Availability
Administrative review: points-based visas only. Appeal: limited categories, such as human rights.
Grounds
Administrative review: caseworker errors only. Appeal: broader legal and human rights grounds.
Process
Administrative review: paper-based review. Appeal: tribunal hearing with a judge.
Timeline
Administrative review: usually 28 days. Appeal: several months.
New evidence
Administrative review: not allowed. Appeal: you can submit new evidence.
What happens next
Five steps, and the first two decide whether the rest are worth doing.
- 1Within 14 days
Check eligibility and deadline
Confirm your application type is eligible and that you are within 14 days of the decision.
- 2Grounds
Identify the error
Clearly identify the caseworker error, using the refusal notice and the original application.
- 3Submit
Complete the AR form
Submit online using the administrative review request form, with detailed grounds.
- 4Fee
Pay the fee
Pay the administrative review fee, currently £80 for most applications.
- 5Usually 28 days
Await the decision
The Home Office reviews the case and issues a decision, usually within 28 days.
- 1Within 14 days
Check eligibility and deadline
Confirm your application type is eligible and that you are within 14 days of the decision.
- 2Grounds
Identify the error
Clearly identify the caseworker error, using the refusal notice and the original application.
- 3Submit
Complete the AR form
Submit online using the administrative review request form, with detailed grounds.
- 4Fee
Pay the fee
Pay the administrative review fee, currently £80 for most applications.
- 5Usually 28 days
Await the decision
The Home Office reviews the case and issues a decision, usually within 28 days.
Time and cost at a glance
- Deadline to request a review
- 14 days
- Administrative review fee, most applications
- £80
- Usual decision time
- 28 days
- New evidence permitted
- No
Get connected to AR specialists
Time is critical with administrative review. We will quickly assess your case for valid grounds and connect you with specialists who can submit your application before the 14-day deadline.
Related
Other routes worth checking
Ready when you are
Refused? The clock is already running
Administrative review has a hard 14-day limit. Send us the refusal notice and we will tell you whether there is a caseworker error to argue, and how long you have left.