​​Administrative Review UK – 2025 Complete Guide

If you’ve received a refusal on your UK visa application and believe the Home Office made a mistake, you may be eligible for an Administrative Review. This is a formal way to ask the Home Office to reconsider a decision without going to court. But it’s not a second chance to make a new case it’s about fixing genuine errors based on the information you already gave.

This guide covers eligibility, process steps, expected timelines, and how solicitors in Manchester can help with your Administrative Review.

What Is an Administrative Review in the UK?

An Administrative Review (AR) is a legal process where the Home Office looks again at a visa or immigration decision you think is wrong. It’s available for specific types of visa refusals, especially under the Points-Based Immigration System (PBS) and some settlement or sponsor-related cases.

It’s handled by a different Home Office official who wasn’t involved in the original decision. Their job is to check if there was a caseworking error not to reassess your personal situation or accept new documents.

When Can You Request an Administrative Review?

Not all visa refusals come with the option to appeal. But if your refusal letter mentions the right to an Administrative Review, you’re likely eligible.

Here are some common scenarios:

• Refusal of a Skilled Worker visa due to points miscalculation
• Rejection of a sponsorship application
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) refused for technical reasons
• Mistakes in visa conditions (like work or study restrictions)

But there are limits. You cannot request AR if:

• You were refused on human rights or asylum grounds
• You’ve already appealed or applied for AR for the same decision
• You’re trying to submit new evidence

Administrative Review Process

1. Check Your Decision Letter

First, confirm if you’re allowed to apply for AR. The Home Office refusal notice will tell you.

2. Apply Within the Deadline

If you’re in the UK: apply within 14 calendar days

If you’re outside the UK: apply within 28 calendar days You can submit your AR application online or by post (depending on the case type). There’s usually a fee of £80, but this can change.

3. Prepare Your Grounds for Review

This is the most important part. You must clearly explain what you believe the error is for example, that the caseworker wrongly calculated your salary or misunderstood a document.

Don’t send new evidence unless your refusal involved biometric or document errors.

4. Wait for a Decision

Most ARs are decided within 28 days, but it can take longer depending on the case type and backlog.

Can You Track Your Administrative Review?

There’s no formal tracking system like a parcel delivery. But you can:

• Contact UKVI through their general enquiry channels
• Speak with your legal representative if they applied on your behalf
• If you applied from abroad, check with your Visa Application Centre (VAC)

If your review takes more than 3 months, it’s reasonable to ask for an update.

How Long Does an Administrative Review Take?

The Home Office aims to decide ARs within:

• 28 calendar days for applications made inside the UK
• Slightly longer if outside the UK some take 6 to 12 weeks

Delays can happen, especially during peak immigration periods. There’s no appeal for delays, but in rare cases, a Judicial Review might be considered if it’s unreasonably long.

Possible Outcomes of Administrative Review

Here’s what can happen:

• Refusal Overturned: the Home Office admits an error and grants your visa
• Refusal Upheld: the decision stands, and you’ll need to consider other options
• Partial Success: they accept one point but still refuse based on another reason
• New Refusal: in rare cases, they spot another problem and issue a new refusal

Winning an AR doesn’t always mean you’ll get your visa immediately. For example, your sponsor might still need to issue a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

What If Your Administrative Review Is Refused?

If your AR is unsuccessful, you still have options but they can be time-sensitive:

• Reapply under a different visa route (if eligible)
• Consider a Judicial Review if you think the AR itself was flawed
• In serious cases, your lawyer might start a Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) letter before court action

Taking proper legal advice is key at this stage to avoid losing your rights or being removed from the UK.

Legal Help for Administrative Reviews in Manchester

Many applicants assume they can handle ARs themselves, but these cases hinge on detailed immigration rules and how the Home Office interprets your documents.

Common mistakes people make include:

• Referring to personal hardship, which the Home Office can’t consider in ARs
• Submitting new evidence that will be ignored
• Failing to meet the deadline by even one day

A qualified immigration solicitors in Manchester can review your refusal letter, spot the caseworker’s mistake, and write strong legal grounds for your AR. They’ll also guide you on what to expect and what to do next if things don’t go your way.

Need help with an Administrative Review? 

Speak to our Manchester based immigration team on 0161 464 4140 or book a consultation online.

Administrative Review FAQs

What is an Administrative Review UK? 

It’s a process where the Home Office checks its own decision for errors after a visa refusal. It doesn’t allow new evidence.

How long does it take? 

Usually around 28 days in the UK, but this can vary depending on case complexity and backlog.

Can I submit new documents? 

No, unless the refusal relates to missing biometric data or Home Office error in reading a document.

Do I automatically get the visa if AR succeeds? 

Not always. You may need to provide a new CoS or meet other formalities.

How much does it cost? 

£80 in most cases, but check the latest guidance as fees can change.

Can I stay in the UK while waiting? 

Yes, if you submitted your AR on time and your previous visa had not yet expired.

Real Life Scenario – Skilled Worker Visa Refused, Then Approved

A client in Manchester applied for a Skilled Worker visa, but the Home Office refused it, saying her salary didn’t meet the minimum threshold. Our solicitors reviewed the documents and found the caseworker had missed a paragraph in her employment contract confirming her annual pay included bonuses.

We submitted an Administrative Review highlighting this caseworking error. Within 25 days, the refusal was overturned and the visa granted with no need for reapplication.

An Administrative Review isn’t about telling your story again  it’s about proving the Home Office made a mistake. Getting it right the first time is vital. If you’re unsure whether your refusal qualifies or how to build a strong review request, speak to a legal professional.

For clear advice and step-by-step support with Administrative Reviews in Manchester, contact our friendly legal team today on 0161 464 4140 or book your free appointment.