There are many different reasons why you may have made an application for a visa in the UK. Perhaps you want to study in this part of the world? Maybe you have been offered a job in the UK and you want to accept the offer?
Unfortunately, not all visas end up with a happy outcome, and there are many reasons why. It could be because you did not fulfil the requirements, or it could be because you have simply made an error, such as applying for the wrong type of visa.
If you have made an application for a UK visa, and it has been refused, you may be thinking about making a visa appeal. This is something more and more people are doing, as visa refusals have risen by approximately 18 per cent. Keeping that in mind, read on to discover how to appeal a visa refusal.
Appealing against the refusal: How to do so
How you go about making an appeal for your UK visa refusal depends on whether you are appealing from within the United Kingdom or from an overseas destination.
Therefore, let’s begin by taking a look at appealing from within the UK. You can only appeal if you have the legal right to do so. This information will usually be found in your decision letter. A lot of people will be in the UK if they have already had a visa and their application was for an extension. You can check out indefinite leave to remain guidance for more details on this.
If you are able to appeal, you have 14 days to do so after the date of your decision. If you miss this deadline, you will need to explain the reasons why, yet there is no guarantee that your appeal will still be heard. You are advised to appeal online, as this is a lot quicker than sending your appeal via fax or post. The cost of a UK visa appeal is £140 with a hearing or £80 without a hearing.
If you wish to appeal the decision from outside of the UK, you will again need to have the right to do so. You will have twice as long to appeal as if you were in the UK – i.e. 28 days. The fees are the same. It is vital to recognize that if your decision letter does not grant you the right to appeal, you may be allowed an administrative review, where the decision will be reviewed, and then an appeal may potentially be launched. It is best to seek legal advice on this matter.
Take the time to find a legal expert with care. After all, this individual is essentially going to have your future in their hands, and so it is critical that you choose an immigration lawyer who is experienced and has handled many cases of a similar nature before. You cannot afford to cut corners or take a risk when making such an appeal!