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How to write a compelling cover letter for UK visa (that will impress the ECO)

Updated: September 6, 2023

Cover Letter for UK Visa

A cover letter for UK visa is instrumental in persuading the ECO that you meet the visa requirements and have no intention of overstaying your visa. It gives you the opportunity to convince the ECO that you are a genuine visitor and you will promptly return back to your country.

A cover letter is a document to convey additional information that wasn’t asked in the UK visa application. It’s not a mandatory document but by far the most helpful document in increasing your chances of UK visa approval.

Table of Contents

Why do you need a cover letter for uk visa.

The information asked in the UK visa application isn’t enough to convince the ECO that you will return back to your home country after your trip. 

Most questions on the UK visa application are close-ended. They don’t give you an opportunity to explain. 

A cover letter allows you to explain in your own words and be as descriptive as you can. You can use your own format and even use illustrations if needed.

Is a cover letter mandatory for UK visa?

No. A cover letter is not mandatory for UK visa. It’s not even a document in the documents checklist for UK visa.

When I applied for my UK visa, I did not submit a cover letter. At that time, I didn’t know the importance of a cover letter for UK visa. I didn’t feel the need to explain anything additional, so I didn’t submit one. My visa was still approved. 

That’s not the case for everyone. A cover letter will not hurt your chances of approval, it can only help. It gives you an additional opportunity to convince the ECO. 

If I apply again for my UK visa, I would definitely submit a cover letter. 

What should you write in the cover letter?

A cover letter is not a mandatory document for UK visa. So obviously, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) does not provide any guidelines on what to include in the cover letter.

As you all know, I started this website in 2016. Since then, I have been helping my readers with their visas. I figured that a cover letter was the most helpful for UK visa. 

I have been writing cover letters for my readers. Over time, I learned that a cover letter with a certain format worked the best for UK visa. 

I would like to impart all my knowledge in this article, so you can write the most compelling cover letter for your UK visa. It will not only impress the ECO but will greatly improve your chances of visa approval.

So without any further delay, let’s get started. 

Format of the cover letter

Short Simple and Clear Cover Letter for UK Visa

The goal of the cover letter is to convince the ECO that you are a genuine visitor. You must do this in a simple, short and clear manner. ECOs rarely will have time for anything other than what’s asked.

Write your cover letter in simple words as if it’s meant for a 5th grader. If the language is too complicated to read, ECO will not bother to read it. 

Do not use words that people from your country can only understand. ECOs are from the UK and they can only understand the terms that they use in the UK. 

Example: It’s common for people in India to say something like “ please do the needful and revert back to me “. Even though it’s still understandable, saying something like “ please let me know if you need anything else from me ” will help the ECO understand better. 

Remember, a cover letter is not a mandatory document. ECO is doing you a favor by reading it. So, make it easy for the ECO.

Your cover letter should never be longer than two pages. ECOs rarely have time for things other than what’s asked in the application. If you present them with a booklet, they will toss it in the trash without even looking at it. 

Again remember, a cover letter is not mandatory. It should not consume too much of ECO’s time.

To further simplify your cover letter, format it with subheadings, bullets and highlights. This helps the ECO to quickly glance over the letter and read any section that interests them. 

Example:   Instead of writing like this – 

“ I intend to travel to the UK for tourism from 20 June 2021 to 24 June 2021 and I plan to visit various attractions in London such as Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Madame Tussauds, National Gallery, etc. “

Write like this – 

  • I intend to travel to the UK for tourism. My travel dates are from 20 June 2021 to 27 June 2021. 
  • 20 June 2021: Arrive at Heathrow International Airport at 3 PM. Check-In and dinner.
  • 21 June 2021: Visit Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London
  • 22 June 2021: Visit Tower Bridge and London Eye
  • 23 June 2021: Visit Madame Tussauds and National Gallery
  • 24 June 2021: Depart from Heathrow International Airport at 10 AM

Sections in the cover letter

Templates for UK visa by Visa Traveler

It’s important to break the cover letter into different sections. This helps the ECO quickly glance through the letter and understand the gist of it. If needed, the ECO can read specific sections. Your cover letter for UK visa must contain the following sections.

Section 1: Your previous UK visa refusals

In the UK visa application, there is a question on previous UK visa refusals. It asks about your previous UK visa refusal and its details. This question asks you to explain why your UK visa was refused but doesn’t ask why it shouldn’t have been refused

There is no other place in the application to address your previous visa refusals either. There is the “additional/extra information” area, but it’s only for text and not suitable for formatting or pictures. Therefore, the cover letter is the most appropriate place for addressing your previous UK visa refusal. 

If you are re-applying to challenge your UK visa refusal , include a section in your cover letter specifically for your previous visa refusal. Address your previous visa refusal with evidence, additional information and documentation. 

Keep this section as the first section in your cover letter. Having this section at the beginning of the cover letter will help the new ECO get straight to the point. Otherwise, they may overlook and your efforts of re-application may go to waste.

Here is an example.

Previous UK Visa Refusal

My previous application for the UK visitor visa with GWF number GWF12345678 was refused on 16 March 2021. 

I would like to address the reason for the refusal with additional information and documentation.

Reason for refusal: The sources of the deposit (£850) were not demonstrated by the documents provided.

Explanation: The deposit in question was made on 05-Dec-2020 for the amount of £850. This amount was the yearly bonus from my employer. Yearly bonuses are deposited in the first week of December every year. Please find the attached documentation to prove that these funds are available to me.

Additional Documentation: (1) Bonus slip, (2) bonus announcement email and (3) letter from my employer with details of bonus, amount and dates.

Section 2: Your travel purpose and itinerary

In this section, mention your purpose of visit and proposed itinerary in the UK. The itinerary must be detailed enough but not too descriptive to confuse the ECO. Format it with bullets and/or a table.

Proposed Travel Itinerary

  • I intend to travel to the UK for tourism for a total of 7 days. My travel dates are from 14 Oct 2021 to 20 Oct 2021.
  • My planned day-by-day itinerary is as follows

Section 3: People traveling with you to the UK

In this section, mention the people that will travel with you to the UK. If you are applying for the visa with your family members, mention their details such as name, passport number and GWF number. 

Each individual must submit one UK visa application. Say if a husband, wife and child are traveling to the UK together, each of them must submit a separate UK visa application. There is no easy way to tie these applications together. 

There is a question in the application asking for travel companions, but mentioning them again in your cover letter will help tie them all together. 

Travel Companions

I will be traveling to the UK with my wife and son. The GWF numbers of my wife’s and son’s UK visa applications are as follows.

Section 4: Your current employment/business or university details

In this section, mention your current employment details. Include details such as the employer’s name, how long you have been working and your current salary.

Employment Details

  • I currently work for Samcore Logistics, LTD, Dubai as a product manager.
  • I have been working as a product manager at Samcore Logistics, LTD since Nov 2014.
  • My monthly salary is 7,000 AED after taxes.
  • An original letter from my employer, a leave approval letter and bank statements indicating the salary deposits are attached.

If you are a business owner, mention the details of your business such as your business name, your role in the company, yearly revenue, etc.

Business Details

  • I own a construction business in Dubai since 2016. I’m the founder and president of the business.
  • The business has been in positive cash flow since its inception with yearly revenue of 300,000 AED.
  • A copy of my business registration, business license, bank statements and tax returns are attached.

If you are currently a student at the university, mention your university details along with the program, major and semester details.

University Details

  • I’m a full-time student enrolled in the undergraduate program at the University of the Philippines.
  • I’m currently in the second semester of my second year with another four semesters remaining to graduate.
  • A letter from my university and the fee payment receipts are attached.

Section 5: Your current financial situation

In this section, mention your source of income, savings and the bank statements for your UK visa . 

If you have multiple bank accounts, this section is a good place to talk about it. Explain why you have multiple bank accounts and how they are connected.

Financial Solvency

  • I currently have 300,000 INR (approx. 2,900 GBP) in my bank account.
  • The source of my savings is my salary from my employer, WinTech Corporation.
  • The last 6 months bank statements and payslips are attached.

It’s quite common for many to work in a foreign country and send all their earnings back home for family maintenance or savings. In such cases, you will have to submit bank statements from both countries, but most importantly, mention that clearly in this section.

If you use a broker or third party to send cash back home, errors can occur and transactions may not match. I highly recommend using a money transfer service such as Wise to transfer cash back to your home country.

Section 6: Your sponsorship information

If you are paying for your trip yourself, this section does not apply to you. Have this section in your cover letter only if someone else is paying for your trip. 

In this section, mention your sponsor details, your relationship with the sponsor, what expenses they will bear, etc. 

Sponsorship Details

  • My brother is sponsoring my trip to the UK.
  • He will bear all my travel expenses while I’m in the UK including accommodation, food and transportation.
  • A letter from my brother, his UK residence permit, employment proofs, bank statements, his apartment lease contract and the document to prove our relationship are attached.

Section 7: Your travel history

In this section, mention your travel history. Travel history is very important and highlighting it will only help with your UK visa. Your travel history can include all your previous travels to the UK and other countries. If you have traveled to a country multiple times, mention that country only once.

Travel History

  • In the last 5 years, I have traveled to 8 countries for both tourism and business. 
  • The countries I have traveled to are Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE, Turkey and Denmark.
  • A copy of my visas and entry and exit stamps from all the above countries are attached.

Section 8: Any family members staying back at home

In this section, mention any family members remaining at home during your UK trip. This helps prove your family ties with your country. Family ties indicate that you will return back to your country after your trip. 

Do not include this section if it does not apply to you.

Family Remaining at Home

  • I currently live with my wife and two children.
  • My wife and children will remain at home during my trip to the UK.
  • A copy of my wife’s employment proof and children’s school receipts are attached.

Section 9: Your intention to return back

In this section, mention that you will promptly return back after your trip and the reasons for that. Reasons can be employment, business or attending to family needs. 

Intention to Return Back

  • I intend to return to Pakistan after the end of my UK trip on 27 Oct 2021 as I have to report back to my employer and continue at my job on 28 Oct 2021.
  • An original leave approval letter from my employer is attached.

Section 10: Any miscellaneous information

If you want to add something that didn’t fall under any specific section above, you can include it here. This could be something about properties you own (economic tie), your rental situation, covid safety precautions, etc.

Miscellaneous

  • I currently live in a rental apartment. A copy of my rental contract is attached.
  • I own farmland with my wife. A copy of my property ownership document is attached. 
  • I assure you that I will follow COVID safety precautions throughout my trip.

A cover letter is not a mandatory document for UK visa. But in my experience, it’s the most helpful document. The goal of the cover letter is to convince the ECO that you are a genuine visitor. Your cover letter must be simple, short and clear. Break the cover letter into sections, paragraphs and bullet lists. Use pictures and screenshots if necessary.

That’s it, folks! Now you know how to write a compelling cover letter for UK visa. This will greatly improve the chances of your UK visa approval. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

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Made a Mistake on Your UK Visa Application?

  • Anne Morris
  • 7 September 2023

Mobility Costs and Compliance

IN THIS SECTION

When applying for a UK visa, it’s important to provide the Home Office with information that is correct and comprehensive to avoid delays or issues with processing and to avoid a visa refusal .

Mistakes can, however, happen. Once you realise you’ve made a mistake on your UK visa application, you should take steps to correct it.

In this guide for UK visa applicants, we explain the rules on correcting mistakes in Home Office applications, and discuss the potential implications of errors and false information on the outcome of your application.

Common UK visa application mistakes

UK visa application mistakes can range from simple spelling mistakes or typos, most of which may be immaterial to the basis of the application, to deliberate mistakes designed to fraudulently obtain a visa to which an applicant is not entitled. Somewhere in-between these extremes there are also those mistakes which are careless, but not intentionally deceptive, although run the risk of being construed by the Home Office as deliberate.

Examples of mistakes that could be potentially construed as deliberately misleading could include a failure to declare a criminal conviction, for example, where an applicant states that they have no criminal history, but they in fact have a driving conviction for speeding. It could also include where an applicant ticks “no” when asked if they have previously been refused a visa. This might be the case, even the applicant also provides clear evidence of a previous refusal, such as their passport containing a stamp confirming past refusal.

Another potentially misleading mistake could be where evidence submitted in support of a visa application clearly contradicts the information set out in the form although, for example, a form that cites an applicant’s income at £40,000 could just as easily be construed as an innocent error where the documentation demonstrates earnings of £4,000.

Implications of making a mistake on your UK visa application

If you submit a visa application with incorrect information, this could result in either the wrongful refusal of your application or the grant of a visa on an erroneous basis.

Wrongful refusal of a visa application

In circumstances where there has been minor but immaterial mistakes in an application, such as typographical errors, the Home Office caseworker should not refuse the application on this basis. This could be, for example, where an applicant has given an incorrect postcode or misspelt a name on their application form. However, an application may still be refused if the caseworker is not satisfied that the requirements of the rules are met, for example, if the applicant has claimed an income of £40,000, but has provided evidence for £4,000, even if the higher figure cited is an innocent mistake, the application may be refused if, on the evidence provided, the required income threshold is not met.

If your visa application is refused because of a mistake, you may be able to apply for an administrative review at a cost of £80, although an application must be submitted within 28 days of receiving your decision. It can then take up to 6 months or more to receive the result of the review and, even if a mistake was an innocent oversight, this does not necessarily guarantee that the outcome will be in your favour. You may need to reapply.

The grant of a visa on an erroneous basis

If your visa application is successful, based on a mistake that had not been discovered at the time a decision was made by the Home Office, once you realise that there has been a mistake, you are duty bound to report this to the Home Office.

In some cases, any mistake, innocent or not, may result in the revocation of your visa, especially if the information was material to the decision to grant you leave. However, in circumstances where the Home Office subsequently discovers the mistake, and you have failed to report this yourself, this is more likely to lead to a finding of deliberate deception.

Lying on a UK visa application

The consequences of lying on your visa application can be very serious, where mistakes are far more likely to lead to refusal of an immigration application or revocation of an existing visa where the Home Office interprets the matter as a deliberate attempt to deceive.

Deception is no longer defined under the UK’s Immigration Rules but can include making false representations or submitting false documents, even if not material to your application, or failing to disclose material facts, where silence or incomplete information can amount to non-disclosure. By using deception in an application for entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK, this will put you in clear breach of UK immigration law.

If a finding of deception is made against you, your visa will be automatically refused or revoked. You may also be banned from entering, or re-entering, the UK for a period of up to 10 years. Even in cases where you were not aware of any mistake, including where false representations have been made by third parties on your behalf, your visa application can still be refused on grounds of suitability. Equally, if your visa has already been granted, you can be refused entry to the UK by border officials, and detained and deported.

In all cases, but especially where any mistake is interpreted by officials as an attempt to mislead or deceive, it will then prove extremely difficult to apply for another visa in the future. This is because, even after any ban is lifted, a subsequent application is highly likely to be refused due to your adverse immigration history.

How do you correct a UK visa application mistake?

If you realise that a mistake has been made on your visa application, having already submitted your application form, you will need to contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) . UKVI is the division of the Home Office responsible for making visa decisions. However, the way in which you address any mistake made will depend on the nature of the error in question. For example, if it is a simple error, such as a spelling mistake, you may be able to contact UKVI to ask for the mistake to be amended. In contrast, if the mistake goes to the very root of your visa application, you may need to ask UKVI to cancel your application so that you can start again and re-apply.

Importantly, even though mistakes on a visa application can lead to a refusal decision, this is not necessarily always the case. If application mistakes are thought to be innocent, refusal is not mandatory. It therefore follows that if you notify UKVI of any mistake, once this becomes apparent, the more likely the mistake will be interpreted as innocent.

Still, applicants are strongly advised to seek expert legal prior to addressing any UK visa application mistake. This is because it is important to know how best to approach the problem, and to understand the potential consequences of this on the outcome. In some cases, you may be advised to withdraw your visa application altogether, although your application fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not yet started processing your case. In other cases, a well-worded cover letter to the Home Office can often help to pre-empt any possible allegations of deception and clear up any misunderstandings.

How to contact UKVI to amend a UK visa application mistake

You can contact UKVI on the .gov website from both inside and outside the UK to amend a UK visa application mistake.

You will be asked where are you contacting UKVI from. The online tool will then ask you what you need help with or what your question is about. You will need to select the tick box for ‘something else’. You must then choose the language you want to use to speak to someone on the phone or to get a reply by email. If you would like a member of staff from the contact centre to communicate with you in a language other then English, you can choose from either Arabic, Cantonese, French, Hindi, Mandarin, Russian or Spanish.

Contact UKVI from outside the UK

To contact UKVI from outside the UK because you have made a mistake in your online application, you have the option of either sending an online query or by telephoning UKVI directly. Each online enquiry will cost you £2.74, although this cost includes your initial email plus any follow-up emails you send relating to the same enquiry. You will need a debit or credit card to use the online messaging service, and will be asked to enter your payment details before sending your message. However, you will not be charged until your message has actually been submitted. UKVI should then reply within 5 working days.

If your message is more urgent, you should telephone UKVI on +44 (0)300 790 6268, selecting option 1. Calls will cost 69 pence per minute on top of your standard network charges. If you cannot contact UK 0300 numbers, you can instead telephone +44 (0)203 875 4669. Importantly, UKVI contact centre staff cannot give you advice about your personal circumstances and have no involvement in the outcome of visa applications.

Contact UKVI from inside the UK

To contact UKVI from inside the UK to discuss a mistake on your visa application, you can telephone 0300 790 6268, selecting option 2. These lines are open Monday to Thursday, excluding bank holidays, 9am to 4:45pm and Friday, 9am to 4:30pm.

How do I ask UKVI to cancel my visa application?

You can ask UKVI to cancel or withdraw an application for a visa or visa extension. You can then re-apply, this time ensuring that your application is mistake-free. However, whether or not you will be entitled to a refund will depend on what stage your application is at.

The way in which you cancel a visa application, and the deadline for getting a refund, will depend on the type of visa that you have applied for and how you were asked to prove your identity. You would have been asked either to attend an appointment to provide your biometrics and identity document in person or to use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ smartphone app to upload your photo and to scan your ID document.

If you were asked to attend an appointment but have not yet done so, you can cancel your visa application online and your fee will be refunded. If you applied within the UK, you will need to fill in the online form to withdraw your application. If you applied outside the UK, you will need to sign in to your UKVI account using the link from your sign-up email. If you have already attended your appointment, you will need to fill in the online form to withdraw your application if you applied within the UK, or contact UKVI to withdraw your application if you applied outside the UK, but your fee will not usually be refunded.

If you used the smartphone app when you applied, you can cancel your application online. Your fee will be refunded provided you have not selected ‘confirm and upload’, either to upload your evidence or to confirm you do not have anything to upload, or you withdraw your application before the deadline given for uploading your evidence. To cancel, sign in to your UKVI account, go to your dashboard and select ‘Withdraw this application’.

If you are eligible for a refund of your application fee, it will be automatically paid into the bank account that you used to pay your fees when you applied. This can take up to 28 days. You cannot stop a cancellation request once this has been received by UKVI and, importantly, if you are already in the UK, you may lose your permission to stay.

Need assistance?

DavidsonMorris is a dedicated UK immigration law firm. We can help you understand your UK visa options and guide and support you through the Home Office application process. Speak to one of our UK immigration specialists today.

UK visa application mistake FAQs

What happens if you lie on a uk visa application.

Providing false information on your visa application is a basis for refusal. Even if your visa has already been granted, you can be refused entry at the UK border and banned from entering for a period of 10 years.

What is deception in visa application?

Deception in a visa application can either mean making false representations or submitting false documents, even if not material to the application, or failing to disclose material facts, for example, as to any financial or relationship requirement.

What to do if there is a mistake in visa application?

You should contact UKVI to try to amend any mistake on your visa application before a decision is made. This is because an application may still be refused on eligibility or suitability grounds, even if the mistake was unintentional.

Can I edit my visa application after payment?

It may be possible to edit your visa application, even after you have submitted your visa application fee, by contacting UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). UKVI is the division of the Home Office responsible for making visa decisions.

Last updated: 17 September 2023

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As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

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How to get a visit visa after being refused

Being refused a visit visa can be very disappointing for the Applicant, Sponsor and, sometimes, the whole family.  Often, refusal means missing out on an important family event. It can be particularly demoralising as the refusal generally ends with, “ Any future UK visa applications you make will be considered on their individual merits, however you are likely to be refused unless the circumstances of your application change .” [emphasis added]

Unfortunately it does seem to be the case that it is much harder to make a successful application for a visit visa following a refusal or, worse, several refusals, but it is possible.   

Fresh applications need to be very carefully prepared, and it may help to ask the following questions.

What were the reasons for your visit visa refusal?

It is essential to address each and every reason for refusal raised in all previous refusals.  You need to start by working out what exactly the reason for refusal is. The Reasons for Refusal can be very specific, perhaps pointing to a single unexplained transaction in a bank statement, or similar.  This can often lead applicants to try making a further application with just one or two more documents, to address the specific detail raised. Unfortunately, this is often insufficient and can lead to a series of unsuccessful applications, each with a few extra items of evidence.  

In addition to addressing the very specific issues raised in previous refusals, it may be helpful to consider what the main or headline reason for refusal is.  If, for example, the Applicant’s finances are the reason for refusal, it is likely to be necessary to include comprehensive evidence of the Applicant’s financial position (and possibly that of close family members if the Applicant is dependent on or financially assisted by family).

It is important to remember that every reason for refusal will need to be addressed.

Are there any other potential reasons for refusal of your visit visa?

Once you have addressed all the previous reasons for refusal, you need to make sure there are no other possible reasons for which the application could be refused. Each refusal is supposed to include all the reasons for which an application is being refused, but circumstances (or the Rules) may have changed since the last refusal, and a different Entry Clearance Office may think of new reasons for refusal.

The starting point is to make sure each of the requirements of the Rules is addressed and that the evidence you have provided is sufficient.  Although Appendix V does not contain “specified evidence” requirements, it is often helpful to consider other parts of the Rules which do, to help you know what sort of evidence to provide.  

It is often necessary to provide two or three different types of evidence to prove a single fact. The different sources of evidence should all corroborate each other.

It is also necessary to check what is said in the Home Office “Visit Guidance” as this is what the Entry Clearance Officer will refer to.  The Guidance helps to clarify what the Rules require. For example, the Guidance lists a variety of factors which the Entry Clearance Officer will consider when deciding whether an applicant is a “genuine visitor”.  A strong application will address all of these factors with appropriate evidence. Some of the factors listed here relate to the Applicant’s personal circumstances (such as their immigration history, and financial circumstances) and some relate to the Applicant’s country of nationality (such as the political and economic situation in that country).  

It is also important to note that the Home Office has specific guidance called “Visitor: Supporting Documents Guide”.  Ideally your application will contain all the evidence suggested in this guidance for your category of visit.

Is there any aspect of my new evidence which could cause concern?

Once you have gathered together the evidence you intend to submit, you need to consider whether there is anything which requires explanation.  You should keep in mind that, while the Entry Clearance Officer has a power to interview any applicant, they will very rarely seek clarification.  If the documents are confusing, or contain anything which could potentially reflect badly on the application it is best to address this with an explanation and, if possible, further evidence.

Have I explained everything as clearly as possible?

It is often necessary to explain the evidence you have provided. This is not only to address any evidence which may cause concern, but also to help the Entry Clearance Officer navigate your application and understand how the evidence you have provided helps to prove your case. It is important to keep in mind that the Entry Clearance Officer will have no knowledge at all about your case except what you tell them.

The evidence can be explained in witness statements and also in detailed legal submissions.  Both may be necessary to make a compelling application.

What will I do if I get a further visit visa refusal?

Throughout the process of preparing your application, you should keep in mind that you are very unlikely to have a right of appeal if your application is refused.  If you need to challenge a refusal therefore, it is likely you will have to do so by judicial review.

In a judicial review it is not generally possible to add new evidence or explanations. It is therefore important that all relevant evidence is included with the application.

It is likely that in order to succeed in a judicial review, you will have to show that the decision of the Entry Clearance Officer is irrational.  This is a very high standard. It is not enough for the judge to think that, on balance, the Entry Clearance Officer should have come to a different conclusion.  It is therefore very important to demonstrate in your application that there are no rational reasons for refusal because every requirement of the Rules is met.

Contact our Immigration Lawyers in London

For expert advice and assistance preparing a fresh visit visa application following a previous refusal, contact our immigration barristers in London on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

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cover letter for uk visa application after refusal

  • Visas and immigration
  • What you need to do

How to apply for a visa to come to the UK

Getting a decision on your application.

You’ll get a letter or an email telling you the Home Office has made a decision on your application.

It will tell you what you need to do next.

If you have not received your email, check your spam or junk folder.

If your application is successful

You’ll be given either:

  • a sticker (called a vignette) that goes in your passport - if you gave your biometric information at a visa application centre
  • access to view your immigration status information online - if you used the smartphone app to prove your identity

The vignette or online immigration status information will show:

  • what you’ve been granted (for example, a Student visa)
  • the dates your visa is valid (start date and end date)
  • the conditions of your visa

Your visa conditions

The conditions say what you can and cannot do in the UK. For example, they might say:

  • ‘No access to public funds’ - you cannot claim benefits
  • ‘No work’ - you cannot take paid or unpaid work in the UK
  • ‘Restricted work’ - you can only work for your sponsor

Getting your vignette

If the visa application centre kept your passport, they’ll either: 

  • send it to you with the vignette inside - if you paid for this service when you applied
  • ask you to collect the passport and vignette

If you kept your passport, you’ll need to take it to the visa application centre to collect your vignette.

If you’re a national of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates and you applied for an electronic visa waiver, this permission is sent to you electronically (you do not receive a vignette).

If there’s an error in your vignette

If you notice an error in your vignette, you should contact your visa application centre immediately to correct it before you come to the UK.

If you notice the error after you’ve arrived in the UK, you must report it to UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) within 3 months of arriving or you’ll need to make a new application.

Getting a biometric residence permit

If you get a vignette and you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months then you have to collect a biometric residence permit ( BRP ) after you arrive.

You must do this before the vignette sticker expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.

You choose where to collect your BRP from during your application.

When you get your BRP , check the details are correct. If your name is long it may appear ‘cut off’. This is not a mistake - it is because there is limited space on the BRP card. However, if there’s a spelling mistake, you must report it .

You need to report any errors in your BRP within 10 days of collecting it.

If you get access to your immigration status information online

You’ll be able to view your immigration status information online . You can also use the online service to share your immigration status information with others, for example employers or universities.

Some government organisations and public authorities will be able to access your immigration status information, for example when you travel through the UK border.

You will not get a vignette or a BRP .

If your application is refused

You’ll get a letter or an email explaining why your application was refused.

Your passport will be returned, if it was kept as part of your application.

Your refusal letter will explain if you have the right to either an:

  • administrative review
  • immigration decision appeal

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cover letter for uk visa application after refusal

How to Deal with a Mistake On Your UK Visa Application

UK-Visa-Application-Mistake

Applying for a UK visa demands a keen eye for detail. A simple oversight such as a typo can lead to many unpredictable issues. And, serious mistakes may result in your application being refused and impact your ability to apply in the future. This blog post aims to help you understand common errors that occur during the UK visa application process and how to manage them effectively.

Table of Contents

After reading this, you’ll be better equipped to understand the possible mistakes that can lead to potential consequences and learn strategies to fix them.

Common Mistakes on UK Visa Applications

When you’re applying for a UK visa or for an extension under further leave to remain , careful attention to detail is vital. An error-free UK visa application sets you on the right path towards a favourable decision. However, errors often occur, and they usually can be divided into two categories: 

Innocent Mistakes

The phrase “innocent mistakes” generally indicates unintentional missteps stemming from oversights or misunderstandings. The Home Office’s instructions for Entry Clearance Officers ( ECOs ) suggest that such mistakes should not result in a visa application denial.

Unintentional mistakes could be typo errors, an incorrect post code or address, or wrong dates and figures. For exmaple, an applicant can unintentionally misrepresent their income by declaring an annual income of £250,000 when it’s actually £25,000.

If the job offer letter and wage slips state the right amount, it will likely be viewed as an unintentional mistake. Providing incorrect documents or paying the incorrect application fee also falls under this category.

Deliberate Deceptions

There are specific errors that could lead to the rejection of your UK visa application. These are usually mistakes that suggest an attempt to deceive the visa authorities. They could range from failing to declare material facts or a previous criminal conviction to ticking ‘no’ on the question “Have you previously been refused a visa?” when there’s clear evidence of a past refusal.

Submitting false documents or providing evidence opposing the information stated in the application form also falls under this category. These mistakes could not only lead to the refusal of your current application but also result in a prohibition on future applications. 

It is crucial to note that some errors are sometimes treated as evidence of deception. This can include entering the wrong passport number, providing the wrong birth dates, using your nickname instead of your real birth name etc. 

Despite the potential severity of these mistakes, it’s important to remember that they don’t necessarily guarantee refusal. The Home Office ECOs will consider and assess whether an applicant knowingly submitted false information or documents. If it appears that the mistake was natural, the application may not be denied.

Nevertheless, the most reliable way to avoid these complications is to review your application carefully before submission. Ensure all the details supplied are accurate and the supporting documents align with the stated information. If you do discover a mistake after submission, take immediate steps to rectify it. 

The Risks of Making a Mistake on a UK Visa Application

An error in your UK immigration application, whether a minor typo or a significant discrepancy, can lead to a range of outcomes. The response from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) can range from minor delays to outright denial or even the cancellation of an already granted visa.

Rejection of Visa Application

Minor errors could slow down your application process. However, severe blunders impacting critical data or eligibility criteria might lead to the refusal of your visa application. Discrepancies affecting your eligibility, such as false income figures or inconsistencies in your employment history, could lead to your visa application being refused.

Approval of Visa Based on False Information

Sometimes, errors in a visa application may not be identified immediately, leading to the granting of a visa based on inaccurate data. If you discover such an error after obtaining visa approval and entry clearance, it’s crucial to report it to the visa application centre as soon as possible. If they discover the error on their own and it’s substantial enough to influence the visa decision, they might revoke the visa.

Risk of Visa Revocation if Errors Are Significant

If you are extending an existing visa, it may be cancelled if a mistake is noticed by officials during the visa application process that could have impacted the decision. In more serious cases, this could lead to a ban on re-entry, particularly if it is believed that the error was made intentionally. You might even be asked to leave the UK if you are already in the country. It is essential to ensure that all visa application documents are completed accurately and truthfully to avoid any avoidable issues.

Learn more about the UK governments rules for illegal immigrants

what-happens-when-you-lie-on-a-uk-visa-application

What Happens When You Lie on a UK Visa Application

Submitting false information, hiding key details, or presenting forged manuscripts on a visa application can have serious consequences when dealing with UK immigration authorities. Such actions may result in not only immediate visa refusal or revocation but also a future ban on entry, making it much more challenging to obtain a UK visa. 

It is vital to be honest and transparent on visa applications. Deceptive errors can take various forms. Some common examples include:

1. Failing to Disclose a Criminal Conviction

If there are any criminal records, the applicant must reveal them in the visa application. Failure to do so could be taken as an intentional attempt to mislead UK immigration authorities. It is essential to be genuine when applying for a visa to avoid any potential legal consequences.

2. Providing False Information about Previous Visa Denials

If you’ve previously been refused a visa, you must disclose this in your application. Lying about past visa denials can lead to your current application being denied and potential entry bans.

3. Inconsistencies Between Application Form and Submitted Documents

Differences between the information you provide in your application form and the details in your supporting records can be seen as an attempt to mislead. It’s, therefore, crucial that all information you provide is consistent and accurate.

UK Visa Application Mistake: How to Fix it

If you spot an error in your UK visa application after submission, it’s natural to worry. But mistakes happen, and there are ways to fix them. The approach to fixing the mistake depends on its nature. For minor errors like spelling mistakes or wrong address details, you can usually fix them directly with UKVI.

On the other hand, significant inconsistencies such as discrepancies in your income or criminal record may require additional documentation and possibly expert legal advice. 

However, here’s what you should do promptly:

  • Consult with an Immigration Lawyer : Professional advice can be a game-changer in these situations. An expert immigration solicitor can provide you with guidance tailored to your situation and help you correct your error.
  • Write a Cover Letter : Draft a clear and concise letter to the Home Office explaining the error. Be sure to enclose your application reference number at the top. In the letter, provide a straightforward explanation of the blunder and accurate information.
  • Submit Supporting Documents : If you have any additional documents that can back up your claim of a genuine error, submit them along with your cover letter. For instance, if you entered the wrong financial details, you could include the correct bank statements.

It’s critical to stay calm and organised in these circumstances. With the right advice and quick action, you can manage the situation and get your visa application back on track.

Contacting UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to Amend a Mistake

UKVI can be contacted from both inside and outside the UK. If you’re outside the UK, you can send them an online inquiry or make a phone call if the situation demands immediate attention. Please note that every online inquiry incurs a fee of £2.74 (a fee that is subject to change at any point in time).

To go through the online messaging service, you’ll require a debit or credit card. Payment details must be provided before sending your message, but the charge will only apply once the message has been officially sent.

Upon contacting UKVI , you’ll be asked to select your current location. Next, the online tool will inquire about the nature of your query or what you require assistance with. You should select the option ‘something else’. You’ll then be asked to select your preferred language for correspondence, either through a phone conversation or an email response. 

If you’re inside the UK, you can phone UKVI during their phone service hours and choose the correct option for visa application inquiries.

Request UKVI to Withdraw Your Visa Application

If you’ve made a significant UK visa application mistake, it might be best to cancel your application and request a refund, especially if the mistake is substantial and could greatly influence your eligibility. The option to withdraw your application is generally available until your biometric appointment. However, eligibility for a refund of the payment made depends on the stage of your application.

This is a big step, so discuss it with your immigration solicitor first. They can assist you through the withdrawal process and help you reapply correctly.

  • Terms for Withdraw : The terms for withdrawing an application can vary. For applications that have not yet recorded biometrics, cancellation can be initiated online. For online applications submitted through the UKVI account, you may be able to retract the application via the account itself.
  • Procedures to Withdraw : Depending on where you stand in the application process, different methods are available to withdraw your visa application. For applications involving biometrics, the process can be initiated online. For others, you may be able to retract your application through your UKVI account.

what-to-do-if-your-uk-visa-application-is-denied

What to Do If Your UK Visa  Application is Denied?

In case your UK visa application is rejected due to a mistake, there are options to challenge the decision, especially if the refusal imposes a re-entry ban. At this point, engaging an immigration solicitor could prove highly advantageous. They have the proficiency and expertise to handle your UK visa rejection efficiently.

Please note that contingent on your specific situation, a solicitor might suggest various other potential options, including:

  • The Administrative Review Process : The primary course of action to challenge a visa refusal that is a result of an error made by the UK Home Office itself is filing an administrative review . This enables you to explain the reasons behind the error and introduce the correct data along with relevant supporting evidence. A strong argument could potentially lead to the reversal of the initial decision.
  • Filing an Appeal : If there is a legal ground to challenge the refusal decision outlined in your refusal letter, an immigration appeal could be an option for you. Note that it may take more than 6 months to get a reply after making the appeal. So, proceed with caution and ensure that you have enough time for that. 
  • Opting for a Judicial Review : If you’ve tried all other options, you might potentially go for a judicial review . This is a process which reviews the legality of a judgment or an action carried out by a UK court.
  • Submitting a New Application : If the error was considerable, it could be more beneficial to submit a fresh application. In certain cases, it could be more practical to consider applying for a different kind of visa that better aligns with your circumstances.

Even though dealing with a rejected visa application can be tough and discouraging, it’s crucial to remember that it doesn’t represent the end of your journey. With proper direction and a proper strategy, you can manoeuvre through this situation and boost your chances of successfully acquiring your UK visa. 

Always remember to act quickly, offer accurate and truthful information, and seek professional advice when required.

Mistakes are an inherent part of our lives, but when they find their way into your UK visa application, it becomes crucial to rectify them rapidly and with integrity. Whether the error is a usual oversight or a significant inconsistency, be sure to correct them as soon as possible to avoid any potential negative impact.

Keep in mind the objective of your UK visa application is to represent an authentic and accurate picture of your situation. By promptly handling errors and addressing them appropriately, you can enhance the likelihood of obtaining your UK visa, paving the way for the next thrilling phase in your journey.

Need Assistance? We are Here to Help!

If you’re unsure about your next move or need guidance, don’t hesitate to seek expert advice. Professional immigration law firms such as Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors can provide invaluable assistance to ensure an efficient visa application process and enhance your chance of a successful result.

With a rich background in UK immigration law, Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors can help you navigate any complexities of the UK visa application process. Whether it is advice on how to fix an error, assistance with withdrawing an application or dealing with the consequences of a mistake, our team of experts is always ready to provide the assistance you need.

Fill out the form below or call us for immediate assistance.

Failing to alert UKVI about a mistake in your visa application can lead to denial if the error is discovered during their review. The consequence of this could also extend to your subsequent applications, depending on the seriousness and the type of the mistake.

After spotting a mistake on your granted visa, such as a misspelt name or an incorrect date of birth, it’s crucial to inform UKVI as soon as possible. The next step will depend on the nature of the mistake.

Yes, you can resubmit your application after rejection because of an error. However, it is recommended to thoroughly understand the reasons for denial and ensure all mistakes are corrected before making a fresh application.

Not every mistake results in a ban on future applications. Bans are primarily imposed in cases involving deception or fraud. However, any mistake might lead to the rejection of your present application.

In most cases, unintentional mistakes do not lead to legal developments. However, intentional deception, such as delivering false information or records, could lead to legal problems. Always ensure that the information in your application is accurate and genuine.

Yes, you can cancel your UK visa application. However, remember that once you withdraw, you must create a new application if you desire to reapply. Make sure all mistakes from the initial application are fixed in your new submission.

Once you withdraw your UK visa application, the review procedure is immediately terminated. UKVI stops all proceedings of your application, and based on the phase of your application when you revoke, you might qualify for a partial refund. 

Should you spot a mistake in your UK visa application, quick action is necessary. You can inform UKVI about the error promptly. When sending your application documents, include a detailed cover letter that clearly defines the error made and provides the correct information.

In order to terminate a UK visa application, you’ll have to get in touch with the UKVI and request a withdrawal. Regarding refunds, the amount you might regain depends on the progress stage of the application. If the visa processing hasn’t begun, you could be qualified for a complete or partial refund. However, if it has been processed, you might not obtain any refund.

The contact number for UKVI, for inquiries from within the UK, is +44 1243 213 322. For those reaching out from outside the UK, you can locate the suitable contact number n the UK government’s official website . 

While minor errors are generally overlooked, serious mistakes might lead to a refusal of the visa. If a mistake is determined to be a deliberate attempt at deceit or fraud, it can result in a prohibition on future applications. Typically, unintentional mistakes don’t lead to penalties, but they could induce delays or refusals.

Ask our Expert Legal Team

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At Gulbenkian Andonian, we pride ourselves on “Excellence, Experience and Efficiency”. With over 35 years of experience on your side, our team of London based lawyers and solicitors have a wealth of experience advising individuals, families and businesses of all sizes to find clarity on UK law.

Call us on +44 (0) 207 269 9590 or fill out the form below. We usually reply within a few hours.

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Neither Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors ltd, nor their employees, agents, consultants or assignees, accept any liability based on the contents of written articles which are meant for guidance only and not as legal advice. We advise all readers to take professional advice before acting. If you would like to consult with a professional lawyer or solicitor to discuss your case, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. This site uses reCAPTCHA and is protected by the Google privacy policy and  terms of service .

cover letter for uk visa application after refusal

Dr Bernard Andonian – the Co-Founder of Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors, is an experienced Immigration Solicitor, former Judge, and recipient of a PhD in Law from the University of West London. He has over four decades of experience practising UK Immigration, Human Rights and Civil Litigation Law. He has served on the Law Society  Immigration Law Panel, achieved numerous groundbreaking decisions in higher courts and is featured in the  Legal 500’s Hall of Fame . 

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cover letter for uk visa application after refusal

UK Visa Refusal & Appeal

Expert advice when your uk visa has been refused.

Great Britain is a very popular tourist and immigration destination; therefore, it is a relatively common thing to have your UK visa refused. However, it does not make it less unpleasant, especially if a refusal to enter the United Kingdom affects your plans and jeopardises your future.

Qualified immigration advisers at Imperial & Legal will offer you a full consultation as to what to do when your UK visa is refused and how it is related to a Home Office decision. We have full rights to represent our clients in the Immigration and Asylum Tribunals in the UK and have years of experience of successfully representing clients in courts.

If your UK visa is refused , we recommend talking to and discussing the situation with one of our advisers. We will thoroughly assess your case and find the best solution to bring it to a happy end.

All you need to know about UK visa refusal

cover letter for uk visa application after refusal

Why a UK visa can be refused

1. purpose of the trip does not fit into a visa category you have applied for.

An incorrectly stated purpose of a trip to the United Kingdom is still the most common mistake. Therefore, be extra careful when making your application, check what visa category suits your purpose and which documents you must provide to get it.

It is even worse to get refused because of incorrectly given information. When applying for a standard visitor visa, it is normal to say that you want to do some sightseeing and travel in the country – avoid mentioning that you also want to improve your English. A caseworker strictly follows the Immigration Rules and will refuse your visa because they might think you want to come to the UK to study which falls under another visa category.

2. Purpose of the trip does not justify how long you applied to stay in the UK

Some applicants for a visitor visa to the United Kingdom tend to apply for a longer than necessary period of stay. Home Office will be suspicious, and has reasons to be so, as to why you need to spend so much time in a foreign country, what you are going to do here and whether you have enough money to support yourself all that time. If the evidence and documents you submit do not support the length of your stay, you will soon receive a refusal letter.

3. Some required documents have not been provided

Each application – from a short-term visitor visa to a long-term visa – must be accompanied by mandatory documents. It is not enough to give your income, job position, marital status and state that you have clean criminal record and no infectious deceases – every word in the application must be supported by relevant documents.

If you go to the UK to work or study, you must have an invitation from your UK sponsor. If you want to do business in Great Britain, you must have an endorsement of an approved body and enough funds to invest in your future business.

4. An error has been made while filling in an application or translating documents

Any information you give about yourself in an application must be true and straightforward; make sure you clarify any points that can raise questions from the Home Office. If you are inattentive and make mistakes in an application form, your visa might be refused even if all documents are spotless.

Any document in a foreign language must be translated into English. In most cases it must be done and signed by a certified translator.

6. An applicant is high-risk

Experienced immigration advisers know that a UK visa can be refused even if there are no mistakes or missing documents in an application. These are one of most common reasons:

  • You are young, unmarried and childless.
  • You have no stable income in your home country.
  • You own no residential or commercial property.
  • You have no business, career and you do not study anywhere.

The logic behind it is simple: the less connections you have to your home country, the more chances there are that you will be suspected of planning to stay in the UK.

7. Providing wilful misrepresentations to mislead a caseworker

This is the main reason why the Home Office will not offer you a chance to appeal their refusal and ban you from entering the UK for 10 years.

If you give false information or deliberately fail to mention important details, or even forge documents, it will harm your immigration record and lead to other countries refusing you visas.

Please remember that UK Immigration Rules have a lot of nuances and pitfalls that are not always on the surface; that increases the risk of mistakes in applications and documents, especially for long-term/settlement visas. Home Office caseworkers must be 100% sure that a real purpose of your trip corresponds to the one you are applying for. An incorrect application will cost you time and money and in the worst case, will lead to a 10-year ban on travelling to the United Kingdom. Therefore, take extra care when preparing your UK visa application or, even better, get in touch with qualified experts.

What to do if your UK visa is refused

The best thing you can do is to get in touch with an experienced immigration adviser as soon as possible. Our experts will assess the situation and reasons for refusal and find the most efficient solution so you can get a UK visa.

There are three options of what you can do after your UK visa is refused:

  • Appeal to an immigration tribunal.
  • Apply for an administrative review.
  • Make a new visa application.

You can appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber when a Home Office refusal breaches your human rights, your rights as an EEA national or a family member of an EEA national. This is where an impartial judge will review and decide on your case.

If you are refused entry to the UK after applying in your home country, you have 28 calendar days from the date of receipt of an official refusal letter to appeal. If your visa is cancelled on arrival or your current visa is refused to be extended in the UK, you must lodge an appeal not later than 14 days after the date of decision. Therefore, it is super important to keep the envelope with a refusal as it has post mark and the date when the letter was sent.

If you cannot lodge your appeal within the given time frames, then we can ask the Tribunal for an extension if we can supply sufficient reasons as to why the appeal is being lodged late, e.g. illness.

After you have submitted your appeal you will be sent a Notice of Hearing specifying the date, venue and directions for the Hearing.

How we can help

We here at Imperial & Legal can assist at any step of your appeal, including but not limited to:

  • Analysing your case and refusal letter.
  • Drafting Grounds of Appeal and lodging your Appeal.
  • Asking for an extension of time.
  • Advising you on the documents and evidence required for your Appeal.
  • Reviewing the Respondent’s bundle.
  • Preparing your bundle of supporting evidence with an index.
  • Drafting the Skeleton Argument in support of your case.
  • Attending and representing you in court.
  • Ongoing support of your case.

Apply for an administrative review after a refusal

If after careful analysis of the refusal letter, your application and all supporting evidence Imperial & Legal advisers conclude that your UK visa was refused because of a case working error, they will apply for an administrative review on your behalf.

In this case the Home Office will consider whether an ‘eligible decision’ is wrong because of a case working error and, if it is, they will correct that error. Errors include where they have given the incorrect duration of leave or have not fully considered your application and all supporting evidence. Depending on where the ‘eligible decision’ was made you have three options:

1. In the UK

If you have made an application in the UK under Tiers 1, 2, 4, and 5 categories of the Immigration Rules, you should have a right to an Administrative Review which you need to submit within 14 calendar days from the date you received a decision notice.

2. At the border

If a Border Officer cancels your leave to enter or remain in the UK due to change of circumstances, false representations or failure to provide material facts, you should have a right to an Administrative Review. When applying from within the UK you have 14 calendar days from the date you received the decision in order to submit your review, and 28 calendar days if you apply from outside of the UK.

3. Outside the UK

For entry clearance applications you will have a right to an Administrative Review unless your application is that of a short-term student, visitor visa or human rights visa. You have 28 calendar days from the date you received the decision to make a request for an Administrative Review.

Here at Imperial & Legal we can help at any stage of your Administrative Review, including but not limited to:

  • Drafting Grounds for Administrative Review and submitting it.
  • Consulting you on the documents and evidence required for your Administrative Review*.
  • Constant support of your case.

* Note: new documents and evidence will not be considered. However, sometimes the Home Office fails to consider documents and evidence sent with your previous application, so we may need to resubmit them.

Make a new visa application

Depending upon your personal circumstances and time constraints, it may be in some cases advisable to submit a new application after analysing the refusal and correcting mistakes that led to it.

We have had many cases over the years where this has proved successful and the requested leave has been granted swiftly. However, we would always advise on having a full consultation where we can discuss your case and individual circumstances before we can give full case-specific advice, as every case is unique.

We here at Imperial & Legal can provide assistance at any stage of your New Application, including:

  • Reviewing your case and refusal letter.
  • Advising you on the documents and evidence required for your new application.
  • Preparing a new application.
  • Drafting legal representations in support of your new application.

4 steps to UK visa after refusal

After your UK visa is refused, take these four simple steps to achieve your goal.

1. Re-apply for a visa Imperial & Legal advisers will advise what additional documents must be prepared for your new application and have them translated. They will fill in and submit an application for a UK visa on your behalf, prepare all supporting evidence and a cover letter. How long: 1-2 weeks.

2. Apply for an administrative review Our immigration advisers will review all supporting documents submitted with the initial application and based on that complete and submit an application for an administrative review asking the Home Office to change their decision and grant you a visa to the UK. How long: 3-5 days.

3. Appeal to an immigration tribunal If your application attracts the right of appeal to a UK court, our experts will prepare and lodge such appeal. They will also assist you in preparing all necessary documents and evidence proving your case. Imperial & Legal team will be happy to represent you at a hearing in the Tribunal. Lodging an appeal: 1-2 weeks. Processing by the Tribunal: 3-12 months.

Success Stories on Visa Refusal & Appeal

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FAQ about UK visa refusals

What else apart from a visa refusal can be appealed in an immigration tribunal.

You can appeal to a UK court when:

  • Your current visa is cancelled.
  • You are refused entry to the UK.
  • Your extension application is refused.
  • Your British citizenship is revoked.
  • You have been deported or asked to leave the country.

What else apart from giving false information leads to a UK 10-year ban?

Our experts share at least one more reason why you can receive a ban to travel to the UK for the next 10 years. If you have already breached immigration rules and overstayed your visa by weeks or months, the Home Office has the right to ban you from entering the country again for many years.

UK authorities will be also extra cautious with those who have been refused a visa to another country. The refusal per se does not mean that you will be refused a UK visa unless you do not disclose it in your application.

How long does it take the Home Office to process a new visa application after refusal?

Your new application will be subject to the same processing times as prescribed within a relevant visa category. Please bear in mind that the Home Office reserves the right to review your application for up to 6 months; if you re-submit after refusal, a caseworker will have to perform additional checks on you which can take more time than the initial application.

What is a high-risk applicant and how not to be them?

The United Kingdom is a developed country and an attractive holiday and business destination. Sightseeing and short businesstrips can be easily done with a standard visitor visa. However, not all visitors respect UK laws and try staying here illegally; therefore, the Home Office might refuse you a UK visa if you have few or no ties to your home country.

You are a lower-risk applicant if you have:

  • A spouse and/or kids.
  • A business and/or career, or study at a university.
  • A property such as a house or a car.

How to get a visa if I rely on a relative (sponsor) for support?

If a sponsor funds your trip to the UK, there are four simple rules to follow:

  • A person not related to you cannot be your sponsor. Your expenses can be covered by parents, siblings and children, i.e. your close family members.
  • A sponsorship letter alone is not sufficient evidence. Your relative must show that they have enough money to pay for your trip by providing a letter from their employer and/or bank statements.
  • Your sponsor must show that they have more money than you would have had to show should you pay for your trip yourself. The logic behind it is that your relative must also have additional funds to support themselves.
  • Irrespective of your sponsor and their money, supported by necessary documents, you must also demonstrate that you have funds at your own disposal.

You applied for UK visa, but it was refused?

We will analyse your refusal and offer you full legal representation in appeals and administrative reviews. Get in touch today to discuss your case.

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UK Visa Refusal Appeal

Learn how to appeal UK visa refusal in this complete visa appeal guide.

If your UK visa application has been refused by the Home Office or UKVI, it may be possible to challenge the refusal. You may have been given a right of administrative review, a full right of appeal or no right of appeal at all.

Whether you will receive a right of appeal or another legal recourse, such as administrative review, depends on the type of application that was submitted. In most situations. the appeal right will be as follows:

  • All Points Based System (“PBS”) applications and those for family members of PBS migrants, i.e. Tier 1 , Tier 2 , Tier 4 and Tier 5 , attract right of Administrative Review only.
  • Human Rights and Protection claims and applications under EEA Regulations attract a full right of appeal. Some in-country rights of appeal can be “certified”, i.e. appeal can only be lodged once the applicant leaves the UK.
  • No right of appeal – usually visitor visa applications (with a few very limited exceptions), short-term student visa applications etc.

The current refusal rate for UK visa applications hovers around 15% mark, with some categories experiencing an even higher rate of refusals. The most notable example is a now-closed Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route , where the refusal rate was around an astonishing 50%.

A refused visa is not the end of the world, though very often it may feel like it. The good news is that more than half of immigration decision get overturned on appeal and as was recently reported by The Guardian, Home Office loses 75% of its immigration appeals.

Appealing UK visa refusals

Those applications that were refused with a full right of appeal can be challenged by lodging an appeal to the immigration tribunal, most often this will be a spouse visa refusal, refusal of ILR application or refusal of a Residence Card or a Permanent Residence .

For the application that was refused inside the UK, i.e. an extension, switching or ILR, you will normally have 14 calendar days to lodge the appeal. For applicants who are outside the UK, the time period is 28 days.

When the application was refused, you should have received reasons for refusal letter from the Home Office or UKVI outlining why the application was unsuccessful and advising you of the right of appeal and relevant timeframes.

Procedure to appeal UK visa refusal

Once you have received a decision advising you that your application has been refused, you normally have three main avenues on how to proceed. Our advice is that a consultation with a qualified immigration lawyer should be sought at the earliest opportunity. Fighting a case that is doomed to fail can be very time-consuming and financially exhausting at the same time.

  • Following receipt a refusal with a right of appeal, the first option is to, of course, appeal the refusal of your visa application. The reasons for refusal must be examined in detail and matter assessed thoroughly to understand why the application was unsuccessful and how it can be challenged.
  • The second option is to assess the refusal and reapply in an attempt to address the reasons for refusal. This option may lead to a result quicker than going through an appeal process. For entry clearance refusals, i.e. those applying from overseas, it may be possible to appeal and reapply at the same time.
  • The final option is to attempt to overturn the refusal before the appeal is lodged by requesting reconsideration by the UKVI. This is the most difficult option and usually applies where an obvious error has been made by the UKVI. A lot will also depend on the timeliness of your actions, since you may only have less than 14 or 28 days to resolve the issue.

Appealing your UK visa refusal

If the decision has been made to appeal a visa refusal, it is very important to prepare the case comprehensively.

The preparation will include a full assessment of the documents and evidence submitted, assessment of reasons for refusal, drafting grounds of appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal, drafting witness statements, completing the appeal form and compiling an appeal bundle. The appeal will then be lodged with the Immigration Tribunal and later served on the Home Office.

Quite often we see clients and even other legal practitioners cutting corners when lodging the appeal against their visa refusal. Usually, this will be one of the following:

  • Preparing very basic grounds of appeal without fully addressing the reasons for refusal
  • “Jumping” into appeal without sufficiently exploring other avenues
  • Failure to prepare a complete appeal bundle with the supporting documents

What clients must understand that it is not the appeal itself that is important, but rather the fact that it must be their best attempt to get the decision overturned in the shortest possible time.

Once the appeal is lodged, the grounds and supporting documents are then served on the Home Office/UKVI. For entry clearance appeals, the matter will then be passed to an Entry Clearance Manager (“ECM”), who will review the appeal and all the documents.

An appeal that was prepared well in the first instance quite often leads to the decision being overturned at the ECM review stage, without even proceeding to the full hearing.

For in-country applications, there is now a dedicated Home Office team that can reconsider pending appeals. The team has been formed on 30 November 2018.

Our lawyers at Edmans & Co had unprecedented success in overturning appeals without even the need for a substantial hearing.

Reapply again following the UK visa refusal

In situations where the refusal was justified and/or the grounds for refusal can now be addressed fully by the applicant, it may often be quicker and easier to simply reapply.

There is generally no time limit on how soon a new application can be submitted (be mindful of limitations when time limit to lodge appeal/admin review is still ongoing), as long as the applicant is able to meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules or EEA Regulations.

Getting refusal decision reconsidered and overturned

First of all, it has to be said that there is no official way to request reconsideration of the refusal decision. The current position of the UKVI is that a decision must be challenged using the legal recourse available, i.e. appeal or administrative review.

That being said, in situations where the application was prepared correctly and the refusal is an obvious error by the decision making officer, it may be possible to get the decision reviewed and overturned.

By way of an example, we recently had a consultation with a client who approached us following a refusal of a spouse visa for his wife. The application was refused due to an alleged absence of a TB test from the supporting documents, all the other requirements were met. He had 28 days to appeal the decision.

The client was, however, adamant that it was provided as the TB test predated the date of application, but most probably either overlooked by the ECO or not scanned by the visa centre staff (a very common occurrence).

Following the consultation, the client initially attempted to contact UKVI to try to get the matter resolved. Unfortunately, he did not have any success, so he approached us to lodge an appeal with just under 2 weeks remaining until the deadline to lodge the appeal.

The appeal can be a lengthy process, so it would have been a lot of wasted time (up to 12 months) and money for the client to challenge such an obvious error by the UKVI through the Tribunal.

Following instructions, we prepared representations on behalf of the client and sent them to various departments at the UKVI. We were ready to lodge the appeal either way and not miss the deadline.

The clients were very pleased when after 4 days they received an email requesting a copy of the TB test again and later overturning the original refusal.

How Edmans & Co assist with Appeals?

Our team of immigration lawyers have extensive experience and award-winning expertise with working on UK Visa refusal appeals of all complexities.

We will thoroughly review the case following an initial consultation and advise you on all the available options, timeframes and expenses involved.

Should you decide to challenge the refusal, we will provide assistance with every step of the process, from lodging the appeal to representing you at the First-Tier and Upper Immigration Tribunals.

Send an enquiry to us now to speak to one of our immigration lawyers.

UK Visa Refusal Appeal FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about UK visa refusal appeals.

There is no time limit on how soon the fresh application can be submitted (with certain limitations while on 3c leave or when the right of administrative review is still available). It is important that the reasons for refusal can be addressed fully in the fresh application.

Appeals can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months to be heard at the Immigration Tribunal.

Appeals can be either oral or paper. Oral appeals usually provide the best opportunity for the appellants to present their case. You can either represent yourself or appoint a legal representative to attend the Tribunal.

If your appeal is successful, you would normally be issued with the visa or status you applied for. The Home Office/UKVI may also be required to pay the Tribunal fee back to you. It should be noted that the Home Office/UKVI can try to appeal the decision to Upper Tribunal.

If your appeal is not allowed, it may be possible to apply to Upper Tribunal usually based on the “error of law” in the determination of the Firs-Tier Tribunal judge.

UK Visa Refusal Appeal Services

  • Our UK Visa Refusal Appeal Services Reviews

To discuss your appeals options or if you have any queries regarding your UK visa refusal, please contact our London immigration lawyers on 020 7439 3000 . You can book a legal consultation with one of our immigration lawyers so that we can assess your case and advise you accordingly.

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Cover Letter To Address Refusal Objections

Moderators: Casa , push , JAJ , ca.funke , Amber , zimba , vinny , Obie , EUsmileWEallsmile , batleykhan , meself2 , geriatrix , John , ChetanOjha , archigabe , Administrator

Post by ST-IX » Tue May 05, 2015 1:33 pm

User avatar

Re: Cover Letter To Address Refusal Objections

Post by CR001 » Tue May 05, 2015 1:50 pm

Post by ST-IX » Tue May 05, 2015 2:12 pm

CR001 wrote: What were the refusal reasons?

Post by CR001 » Tue May 05, 2015 2:17 pm

Post by ST-IX » Tue May 05, 2015 2:25 pm

CR001 wrote: Besides a letter, she will need to provide all the documentary evidence to address the refusal points. On point 1, what did the letter from her employer say? How long was the visit for? Did she submit payslips and bank statements? What other evidence did she provide to prove her ties to home country??

Post by CR001 » Tue May 05, 2015 2:28 pm

originals again

Post by ST-IX » Tue May 05, 2015 4:16 pm

Post by CR001 » Tue May 05, 2015 4:25 pm

Post by ST-IX » Tue May 05, 2015 4:40 pm

Post by ST-IX » Tue May 05, 2015 4:46 pm

Post by CR001 » Tue May 05, 2015 4:49 pm

Will she need a new letter from her employers then ?? Can sponsor provide amended invitation letter to support her new application or previous letter is ok ??

Post by ST-IX » Tue May 05, 2015 4:53 pm

Post by CR001 » Tue May 05, 2015 5:07 pm

Post by ST-IX » Tue May 05, 2015 5:37 pm

Post by CR001 » Tue May 05, 2015 5:42 pm

Post by ST-IX » Tue May 05, 2015 5:49 pm

Post by CR001 » Tue May 05, 2015 6:17 pm

Post by ST-IX » Tue May 05, 2015 7:38 pm

Post by CR001 » Tue May 05, 2015 7:57 pm

Post by ST-IX » Tue May 05, 2015 9:44 pm

Post by ST-IX » Wed May 06, 2015 6:00 am

Post by CR001 » Wed May 06, 2015 9:53 am

stamped/verified by the bank

Post by cricket2010 » Wed May 06, 2015 10:38 am

Post by ST-IX » Wed May 06, 2015 10:56 am

cricket2010 wrote: ST-IX, You sent me a private message but I am unable to view or respond to it due to restriction on new accounts. Please post your message here.

Post by cricket2010 » Wed May 06, 2015 6:41 pm

ST-IX wrote: cricket2010 wrote: ST-IX, You sent me a private message but I am unable to view or respond to it due to restriction on new accounts. Please post your message here.

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Can I reapply for a UK visa immediately after a refusal?

Understanding uk visa refusals.

Applying for a UK visa can be a daunting process, and receiving a refusal can be disheartening. However, a visa refusal does not necessarily mean the end of the road. In this article, we will explore the reasons for UK visa refusals, the process of reapplying for a visa after a refusal, and the steps you can take to increase your chances of success.

Reasons for UK visa refusals

There are various reasons why a UK visa application may be refused. Some common reasons include:

  • Lack of evidence to support the purpose of your visit
  • Inadequate financial support or incorrect submission of financial documents
  • Incomplete or incorrect application form
  • Failure to disclose previous immigration history or criminal convictions
  • Failure to meet the English language requirements

It is important to carefully review the reasons for your visa refusal in order to address any issues in your new application.

Reapplying for a UK visa after refusal

If your UK visa application has been refused, you may be wondering whether you can apply again. The good news is that you can reapply for a UK visa after a refusal. However, it is important to address the reasons for the refusal in your new application.

Time frame for reapplying for a UK visa

There is no specific time frame for reapplying for a UK visa after a refusal. However, it is recommended that you wait at least three months before reapplying, unless there has been a significant change in your circumstances.

Addressing the reasons for refusal

In order to increase your chances of success in your new visa application, it is important to address the reasons for your previous refusal. This may involve providing additional supporting documents or evidence to address any concerns raised by the visa officer.

Submitting a new visa application

When submitting a new visa application, it is important to ensure that you have completed the application form correctly and provided all the required supporting documents. You should also include a covering letter explaining any changes or improvements you have made since your previous application.

Providing additional supporting documents

In some cases, it may be necessary to provide additional supporting documents to address the reasons for your previous refusal. This may include evidence of your financial situation, employment status, or purpose of your visit.

Appealing a UK visa refusal

If you believe that your visa refusal was unjustified, you may be able to appeal the decision. However, the appeals process can be complex and time-consuming, and it is not always successful.

Applying for judicial review of a refusal

In some cases, it may be possible to apply for a judicial review of a visa refusal. This involves asking a court to review the decision made by the visa officer.

Seeking legal advice after a refusal

If you are unsure about your options after a visa refusal, it may be helpful to seek legal advice. A qualified immigration lawyer can provide guidance on the best course of action based on your individual circumstances.

Conclusion: Moving forward after a visa refusal

Receiving a UK visa refusal can be disappointing, but it is important to remember that it is not the end of the road. By addressing the reasons for your previous refusal and providing a strong new application, you can increase your chances of success.

Resources for reapplying for a UK visa

There are many resources available to help you with your visa reapplication. The UK government website provides detailed guidance on the visa application process, while immigration lawyers and advisors can provide tailored advice and support.

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Refusal Letter for UK Visa: What are the Next Steps?

Refusal Letter for UK Visa: What are the next steps

A visa to live, work or visit in the UK can bring a huge amount of opportunities. It can be extremely disheartening, then, when a letter arrives to tell you that your application has been rejected. In these moments, the UK visa application process can feel both frustrating and confusing. 

Unfortunately, much of the information about applying for a visa makes it seem simple, but in reality, successfully receiving a visa comes with a host of complexities.

As a result, many people only realise they have not completed their application properly at the point of refusal. The question then becomes whether there is anything you can do after your visa is rejected.

We are going to help you answer that question, but before we do, it is worth noting that the information below only looks at the visa process in general.

If you have had a refusal letter, the steps you take may vary greatly depending on the type of visa you have applied for. Therefore, you should always seek advice from an experienced immigration solicitor about your case.

Common Reasons for Visa Refusal

stack-of-document-binders

Many of the frustrations that arise out of a visa refusal comes from a lack of clarity about why your application has been rejected. Therefore, your first step should always be to identify what went wrong so you can ensure it does not happen again.

In our experience, visa applications are most commonly rejected because they have not been completed correctly, resulting in one of the following issues:

  • Not supplying the correct documents: The documentation you have to provide when applying for a visa is extensive and varies depending on what visa you are applying for. A regular issue here can be proving you have enough funds for your stay, as well as the origin of those funds.
  • Not formatting documents correctly: Simply supplying the correct documents is not enough, you also need to ensure they are formatted properly. That may mean you need to place them in chronological order, or it could be something as seemingly insignificant as filling in a form with wrong colour ink.
  • Insufficient evidence of a relationship: This reason is specific to spouse visas but we see it enough that it is worth including. You need to prove that your relationship is genuine, using documentation that, for example, proves you live together, are married, or have children together.
  • Following inexperienced advice: No two visa applications are the same, so you should never complete your visa application following the advice of someone else unless that person is an experienced immigration solicitor.
  • Relying only on advice from the Home Office or UKVI: Like the point above, even the information you get from the Home Office or UKVI should not be relied upon solely. The call handlers are not legally trained, so if you have any questions you need to speak to someone who is.
  • Simply not meeting the requirements: The requirements for receiving a UK visa are strict, meaning there is no room to manoeuvre. For example, if the basic salary required for a spouse visa is £18,600 and the applicant only earns £18,500, a visa will not be granted.
  • Non-disclosure of information: Very little makes it past the Home Office, so if you have applied for a visa and not disclosed key information, such as a criminal conviction, it is more than likely your visa will be rejected.
  • Applying for the wrong visa: There are a high number of visa options, so it is not surprising that some visa applications are refused because the wrong visa was applied for.

What to Do After Being Refused

Appeal against the decision.

man-at-computer-appealing-visa-refusal

In some cases, you can appeal the decision to refuse your visa application. These reasons include:

  • A human rights or protection refusal
  • A decision to refuse a human rights claim for entry clearance
  • A decision by the Home Office to deport you as a European Economic Area (EEA) National
  • Your application for an EEA family permit as a family member of an EEA national was refused by the Home Office under the EEA Regulations
  • Certain decisions about applications submitted before 6 April 2015

As you can tell, the basis on which you can appeal a visa rejection are limited and you may be unsure whether one applies to your situation. For that reason, your refusal letter will inform you whether or not you have the right to appeal.

If you do have the right to appeal, this will need to be launched within 28 days of the decision. If you have to leave the country, you will have 28 days once you have left. If you have already missed the deadline, you can still appeal, though you will have to explain why it is late. A tribunal will then decide whether to hear your appeal.

In order to appeal, you will need to fill in a specific form depending on what visa you applied for, so you should seek advice from a solicitor in order to ensure your appeal is submitted properly.

As part of your appeal, you can submit supporting documentation alongside the paperwork you originally provided. You can then choose whether you want your appeal to be decided solely on this documentation or at a hearing that you and your legal representatives can attend.

Apply for an Administrative Review

uk-visa-refusal-administrative-review-magnifying-glass

If you can’t appeal your visa refusal directly, you may be able to apply for an administrative review. This review is suitable if you suspect that there has been a case working error that resulted in your visa being rejected under the points-based system.

As the review is just of the administrative process, you can’t submit further evidence to strengthen your visa application, the exception being if you are asked to by the Home Office.

There are three different forms of administrative review depending on where you made your visa application.

  • If you made your application from outside the UK you must be outside the UK when you make your administrative review application. You have 28 days from the refusal letter to apply and you should be given a copy of the form you need with your letter.
  • If you made your application from within the UK and have been given the right to an administrative review you have 14 days to make the application (or seven if you have been detained). You will not normally be removed from the UK until the administrative review is completed.
  • If your visa was cancelled at the border you have 28 days from the date of the decision letter or notice to leave. If you were allowed into the UK, you will not normally be removed until the administrative review is completed.

Apply for Judicial Review

If you are confident that your application was submitted correctly and therefore re-applying will not yield a different result, a judicial review can be the best option. This is the process by which the Judges of the Administrative Court, and the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) (UT) review the lawfulness of a decision or action made by the UK Home Office.

What is important to note is that a judicial review is not a reconsideration of your application, it is only a consideration of whether the law has been applied correctly and the right procedures followed. As such, no new evidence can be submitted at this stage.

Judicial reviews can be complex and should not be pursued without help from a solicitor.

Reapply for Your Visa

Since the majority of visa refusals result from an incorrectly submitted application, often the best course of action is to just re-apply for the visa, a process that can be started as soon as you have been refused and any appeal is concluded.

Since your letter should state the reason for refusal, you should have a clear idea of what went wrong. In the event that you are still not sure, an experienced solicitor should be able to advise you on what you need to do differently.

Speak to a Solicitor

The process of applying for a UK visa can appear simple, but in reality, it is extremely complex. For that reason, many people have their visa rejected because they simply have not put the application together correctly, or with enough detail.

If you have just been refused a visa, you should seriously consider using an experienced solicitor for your next application. Rejections of visas remain on the Home Office database, and while this will not stop you from getting a visa the next time, the last thing you want is to be refused multiple times.

So, if you have just been rejected, speak to Nayyars Solicitors about how we can help you appeal the decision, apply for administrative or judicial review, or re-apply for the visa.

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Chances of Getting UK Visa After Refusal

Having a UK visa rejection is not because the United Kingdom’s immigration officials do not want you to visit or live in the country. It might be due to disregarding the existing rules and requirements for applying for a UK visa or something else.

In any case, after the application has been rejected by the Home Office, you need the support of immigration lawyers in order to give yourself the best possible chance of success with any action that may follow. For more information about UK visa applications, UK visa rejection and what you need to do, how to prepare an appeal, immigration rules, and expert advice, reach out to us today on 0333 305 9375 or contact us online.

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Page contents, understanding the reasons for your visa refusal, other potential reasons for refusal and how to address them, tips for presenting new evidence clearly and effectively, administrative review, new application, and appeal: what are your options after a uk visa refusal, preparing for a possible further visa refusal, uk immigration appeal process, how ias can help.

UK visa refusal to enter the United Kingdom does not prohibit you from entering the country permanently. Carefully reading the refusal letter from the Home Office will reveal the cause for your visa refusal.

When an application is denied you will receive a letter or email detailing the reasons why your application was denied. If your passport was retained in your visa application, it will be returned. Your UK visa refusal letter will specify whether you are entitled to either an administrative review or an immigration decision appeal.

If you have made an error that can be corrected, please submit a revised UK visa application. However, remember that you will be required to pay the visa fee again.

However, if you have provided fraudulent information about yourself or deceived the authorities in any other way, you will be prohibited from accessing the United Kingdom for ten years. This measure is only applicable under exceptional conditions.

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There are several common reasons for refusal:

  • Applying for a wrong visa that contradicts your planned activities in the United Kingdom An apparent and extremely prevalent cause for denying a UK visa. It is common to encounter such difficulties when applying through an unprofessional agency. For instance, if you need private medical treatment in the United Kingdom, it would be an error to register for a standard visitor visa. An agency’s employee may be unaware of the distinction, resulting in a visa refusal.
  • Lack of adequate evidence for the provided information Applicants frequently neglect that every claim must be supported by evidence. If not, a case worker will assume the information is false or misrepresented. You must know what to include in your visa application like supporting documents and how to include it. Be prepared to provide evidence for your claims if you make a number of statements. When you need to select the correct visa category type, professional advice and assistance are as invaluable as ever.
  • Insufficient funds to support yourself There are numerous legal and illegal migrants seeking better opportunities in the United Kingdom, and the Home Office must remain cautious. The UK immigration authorities must confirm that you earn sufficient funds in your home country; for example, for a visit visa that is enough to purchase a round-trip ticket, accommodations, and support yourself during your trip. Therefore, a low salary, a new job (less than six months old), and a low savings account balance are red flags for them.
  • Not mentioning a family in the United Kingdom; giving contradictory information; exaggerating durations of stay in the country. A case manager will not only review the specifics of your application but also evaluate it as a whole. If they believe that you have provided deceptive or false information, they’ll double-check every questionable detail and make a refusal letter as soon as they discover anything suspicious.
  • Failure of your sponsor to provide monetary support If you want to join your British spouse, for instance, and apply for a family visa, your British spouse will be your sponsor, and they will need to satisfy the standards set down by the Home Office as well. The immigration rules set a minimum amount of yearly income that a British husband or wife must make in order to be eligible to sponsor their overseas spouse; it is currently set at £18,600 and cannot be lower than that amount.

If your UK visa has been refused, you have several options for resolving the situation. The date on a postage stamp indicates the amount of time you have to take action and possibly alter the decision. In addition, the refusal letter includes the reason you were denied, which may be more than one.

We can help you avoid a UK visa refusal. Call us on 0333 305 9375 or contact us online.

There are less common but still possible reasons for UK visa rejection reasons:

  • If you have provided false information, as previously stated, you will be prohibited from accessing Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales for ten years.
  • To qualify as a persona non grata in the United Kingdom, it is not necessary to be family ties by blood or to be issued a Red Notice. It is sufficient to join a political or religious organisation that some countries consider to support terrorism, and you may not even be aware of this. Alternatively, you may have supported an extremist online.
  • The person applying has a criminal record or a history of immigration law violations: The United Kingdom has strict entry requirements. UK visa applicants with a criminal record or past convictions of immigration violations may be denied a visa.
  • The applicant was previously denied a British visa. In order to be authorised for a visa in the future, applicants who have previously been denied a UK visa may be required to clear additional obstacles.

After addressing all of the aforementioned reasons for denial, you must verify that there are no additional grounds for denial. Each refusal is intended to include all the reasons why visa applications were denied, but conditions (or the Rules) might have changed since the last visa refusal, and a different Entry Clearance Office may come up with additional reasons for refusal.

cover letter for uk visa application after refusal

The initial step is to ensure that each requirement of the Rules has been met and that the evidence provided is sufficient. For each visa, that differs – with a visitor visa, for example, there’s Appendix V. Even though Appendix V does not contain “specified evidence” requirements, it is often useful to review other sections of the Rules that do in order to determine the type of evidence to provide.

Often, two or three different kinds of evidence are required for proving a single fact. The various sources of evidence should support one another.

It is also necessary to review the Home Office’s “Visit Guidance” because the Entry Clearance Officer is going to refer to this document. The Guidance clarifies the requirements of the Rules. For instance, the Guidance outlines a number of factors that the Entry Clearance Officer will consider when determining whether a candidate is a genuine visitor.

Once you have collected all of the evidence and supporting documents you want to submit, you must consider whether anything needs to be clarified in the administrative review. Keep in mind that although the Entry Clearance Officer has the authority to interview any applicant, clarification requests are extremely rare. If the documents are unclear or contain information that could reflect negatively on the visa application, it is best to provide an explanation and, if possible, additional evidence. You can organise the evidence by creating a table of contents or using clear headings and labels.

cover letter for uk visa application after refusal

Contact us to learn more about the chances of getting a UK visa after refusal and explore your options. Contact Us

There are three options after a UK Visa Refusal:

Administrative reviews

You can request an administrative review if you believe that your UK visa application and the submitted documents were incorrectly processed or evaluated by a caseworker, resulting in the denial of your application. However, keep in mind that you can only refer to previously submitted documents and cannot submit additional ones.

cover letter for uk visa application after refusal

A new application request for a UK visa

If you and/or your immigration attorney determine that a case worker’s decision was correct and that you made an error or failed to submit the required documents, the best course of action is to do your research and reapply.

The same holds true if the circumstances that prevented you from obtaining a visa have changed, and you now have a greater chance of obtaining it.

UK Visa Refusal Appeal

You have the opportunity to file an appeal against the decision if a visa expert who is helping you with your application finds mistakes that were made by a caseworker that played a part in the rejection of your application.

A Home Office decision may also be appealed if it violates British laws, interracial relationships, immigration policies, human rights, and international agreements (such as the European Convention on Human Rights).

There is no time restriction for reapplying for a UK visa following a refusal. Before reapplying, it is generally advisable to address the reasons for the rejection and submit a more compelling application. This will increase your chances of success and could save you time and money.

When you are considering reapplying for a UK visa, you should also gather any additional evidence or supporting documents that can help your case, such as proof of your financial situation or bank statement, proof of your connections to your native country, and travel itinerary information.

If you do not do that, the chances of a refusal again are high. Also, understand that the more refusals you get, the higher the likelihood of you getting a refusal.

cover letter for uk visa application after refusal

Throughout the visa application preparation process, you should bear in mind that a right of UK visa refusal appeal is extremely rare if your application is denied. If you need to contest a refusal, you will likely have to do so through judicial review.

It is not possible to introduce new evidence or explanations during a judicial review. Therefore, it is essential that all pertinent evidence be included with the visa application.

To succeed in a judicial review, you will likely need to demonstrate that the Entry Clearance Officer’s decision was irrational. This is a very rigorous requirement. It is not sufficient for the judge to believe that the Entry Clearance Officer should have reached a different conclusion. Therefore, it is crucial that you prove in your application that there are no valid grounds for denial, as every rule requirement has been satisfied.

If you have received a notice of refusal and are confused about what to do next, you might want to talk with an immigration attorney or a qualified immigration lawyer such as IAS. We can evaluate your case and offer advice on how to increase your prospects of obtaining a visa in the future. Call us on 0333 305 9375 .

Was your visa application refused? Get in touch with us for immediate assistance with turning that around. Contact Us

If you submitted a UK visa application and received a notice of UK visa refusal, you may feel discouraged and unsure of your next steps. In order to increase your possibilities of success with a future visa application, it is essential to meticulously review the refusal notice and comprehend the reasons for the denial.

Regardless of the form of UK visa for which you are applying, if you do not intend to confuse the Home Office and do not make any errors in your application or supporting documents, the entire process should go very smoothly. Even if you get a UK visa rejection, errors can be rectified, and unfair decisions can be appealed.

Both during the visa application process and after a UK visa refusals, you may require the services of an immigration lawyer. Professional advisors at Immigration Advice Service will advise you on any matter pertaining to a denial, assist you in taking the necessary steps to alter the decision in your favour, prepare all necessary documentation, and resolve any issues that arise.

IAS offers a Visa Appeal Package that utilises our attorney’s immense legal knowledge and extensive experience to ensure that you have the best possible opportunity of winning your UK immigration appeal process. We will also represent you thoroughly in any proceedings or trials.

For more information about UK visa application, UK visa refusal, including what you need to do after getting the refusal letter, how to reapply, how is the UK immigration appeal process, and expert advice for your application, reach out to us today on 0333 305 9375 or contact us online.

Last modified on May 24th, 2023 at 3:15 pm

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Related pages for your continued reading.

Indefinite leave to remain, uk work visas, british citizenship, uk spouse visa, dual citizenship, what is the deadline to submit a uk visa refusal appeal.

If your request for a visa extension is denied in the United Kingdom, you will be granted 14 calendar days. If you submit a visa application outside of the United Kingdom and are denied, you’re given up to 28 calendar days to appeal.

Please note that visa fees are non-refundable. IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) is the only fee that may be refunded if paid at the time of application.

How long does the UK embassy keep visa refusal records?

The UK embassy typically disposes of visa case files thirteen months after a decision, at the discretion of the Regional Director and based on a risk assessment, if the files cannot be stored securely. There is a severe lack of secure storage space for visa application documents at certain missions.

Is UK visa rejection stamped on the passport?

For visa rejections, the British embassy does not stamp the passport. They will inform you of the reasons for the UK visa refusals.

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Cover letter for UK visitor visa(5 samples)

cover letter for uk visa application after refusal

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter.  The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.

This article will list samples of “cover letters for a UK visitor Visa.”

Samples of cover letters for a UK visitor Visa

When applying for a UK visitor Visa, your cover letter is an opportunity to show your recipient why you qualify. The best format for writing a cover letter is as follows:

  • Address the recipient with a formal salutation. For example, “Dear/Hello (name of the recipient).” If you do not know the recipient’s name, you can refer to them as sir/madam.
  • Write a brief statement about why you are interested in visiting Ireland.
  • Make a brief statement about your purpose for choosing the country. Next, disclose if you have already paid for accommodation.
  • Next, clearly state that you intend to return to your home country after completing your adventure.
  • List the expenses/funds and the documents and items attached to the application.
  • Conclude your letter with a forward-looking statement.

“British Embassy

678 Lincoln Road

United Kingdom

RE: Ms Celine Visitor Visa Application, Passport Number; 457654 Expiry Date; May 20th, 2012

This letter is written with the intention of expatiating on the information on application on myself and on the purpose of me needing a UK visitor visa. So I’m Celine Lawrence and I will be 40 years on the 3rd of Feb 2012. I have been working as an Engineer in landmark construction for about 8 years now. My country is affiliated to the renounced primetime construction and we execute main federal government jobs. I have been a regular employee since after my 6 months probation period of joining the company. I receive an annual salary of $40,000 and my monthly salary is $3500 that is divided in the below categories

For my taxable is $500

Honorarium is $2500

Allowance is $500

I had met my finance on the Badoo dating site on the January and we have just being communicating only via email and chats. Though he has been making attempt to come to Nigeria but his job routine has not allowed that for now. So I’m free now and will be permitted for my leave of work for about 48 days. So I want to use this opportunity to meet up with him.

I will like to leave for the UK on April 10th, 2012  and will return to my country on May 10th. My finance Mr. Tom will be paying all the expenses associated with the trip which includes my accommodation, airfare and living expenses. I have attached to this letter all the documents needed to get an approval.

Yours sincerely

Celine Lawrence”

“Dec 2nd, 2021

Entry clearance officer

British Embassy

456-987-654

Re; Visitor visa for George Job, passport number 66798 Expiry Date; 3rd July 2021

This letter is coming your way to give you additional information that might interest you more about my visitor visa application. My name is George Job and I work as a medical scientist in the US. My company is incorporated in a pharmaceutical company that is based in Japan. I’m a regular worker that receives $60,000 yearly and splitting this into months will make it $5000 per month. This payment includes my taxable income, allowances and other expenses.

I’m trying to visit my friend in the UK, this is why I’m applying for the visitor visa and I want to be there for only 2 weeks. I would have to return to work after the expiration of this period so this confirms that I wouldn’t be staying beyond the time or duration on my visa. I will be taking care of all the expenses associated with the trip though my friend also wants to sponsor the trip. Whichever way, this also confirms that the trip will adequately provided for.

Thanks you for your approval

Yours sincerely,

George Job”

The Entry Clearance Officer,

UK Visas and Immigration

17 June 2018

Cover Letter for Visit Visa Application

Respected Sir/Madam,

My name is *** (Visa Application Reference Number: ***, Passport number: ***). I am applying for Family Visit Visa to visit my son in the UK.

Reason for Visit

I miss my son and I wish to visit him. I also wish to explore the beautiful city of London.

My Background

I live in Karachi, Pakistan with <mention family members here>. I am a housewife.

<Insert details of family members here>.

I live with my husband, Tariq Zafar Khan, in Karachi. He runs his business of ***. He is also applying for a visit visa, so he could travel with me to London for this trip.

My Eldest Son

My eldest son, Dr. Naseer Khan, lives in London with his wife. Both he and his wife work as junior doctors at King’s College Hospital, London. He will be my primary sponsor for this trip. I will stay with him in London.

My Second Son

<Details of the second son were mentioned here>.

My Daughter

<Details of the daughter were mentioned here>.

Karachi to London: ** **** 2018

London to Karachi: ** **** 2018

Duration of Trip

Airline Booking

I will buy confirmed tickets when I am granted the visa. I have mentioned the estimated cost of airline booking in this letter.

Accommodation in London

I will be staying in London with my son, Dr. Naseer Khan. He has a two-bedroom flat. He and his wife are more than happy to host me and my husband.

Financial Sponsor

My trip will be completely sponsored by my son, Dr. Naseer Khan.

Cost of Trip to Me

The total cost my trip to me will be zero, as it will be paid for by my son.

Estimated Cost of Trip

Visa fee £93

Airline booking £607

Traveling in the UK £200

Living expenses £200

Total cost of my trip £1,100

The total amount of money my son has £**,***

I would be grateful if I am granted the visa to visit the UK and to see my sons. Please feel free to contact me if need be.

***** ****** ****.

Passport number: ***

Computerized National Identity Card number: ***

Phone number: 00 92 *** *** ****

Email: ***********”

“[Your address in the UK]

Dear Sir / Madam

Application for Family Visitor visa: [Name of family member]

I would like to invite my [type of family member, e.g. mother, father, etc] to visit me in the United Kingdom. [He/she] would like to stay with me in the UK from [date of arrival] until [exit date]. The family member I would like to invite is – [insert name, date of birth and relationship to you e.g. father or mother]

I work as a [occupation] at [workplace] since [month, year], and I have been living in the UK for [number of years] and I am a British [status].

I have enough room for my visitor to stay over at me for the whole duration of [his/her] stay in the UK, at [list your address], which is a private rented property at [list your UK address].

I also obtained a letter from my landlord that gives them permission to stay with me during this period. I have attached it and other documents to support my letter of invitation. Please feel free to contact me if you require any additional information.

Yours faithfully

Email address

Phone number

To: [Visitor’s name]

[Visitor’s Address]

Dear [Visitor],

With this letter, I would like to invite you, my [relationship e.i. sister, friend, father], to visit me and spend your vacation in the UK. We have talked so many times about taking pictures together in front of the [tourist place] or drinking coffee at [tourist place]. I believe it is about time we make these plans come true. You will also have the chance to meet from close the British culture and experience its lifestyle.

I will be taking care of all your expenses while you are here, including the round trip airfare food, medical insurance, and all your other personal expenses. You will be staying at my apartment in [address] since I have enough room for you.

Herewith I am sending all the required documents for getting the necessary tourist visa from, including documents that prove I am a [status in Britain] since [year], and that I work at / study at [workplace or university].

Host’s name

Full address

Phone Number

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is a cover letter important.

  • Provide information that other documents can’t provide.
  • Speeds up the application process

Is it worth applying for an Irish passport?

The advantages of becoming an Irish citizen and holding an Irish passport include: 

  • You are still considered an EU citizen. 
  • You can travel freely throughout the 28 member states of the EU to live and work. 
  • If you have children, they will be granted Irish and EU citizenship.

If you like this blog post, please leave your comments and questions below.

A Sample Cover Letter for Tourist Visa and How to Create One
My Mother’s Cover Letter for Visit Visa Application

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  3. UK Cover Letter for Visa Application

    Cover Letter for UK Visa Application Sample. Here is a simple sample you can refer to when writing your cover letter: March 2023. UK Embassy in Macedonia. Todor Aleksandrov 165, Skopje 1000. North Macedonia. Dear Honorable Consul, My name is Stojan Nikola (passport number: NM22330011).

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  6. How to get a visit visa after being refused

    By Richmond Chambers - 17 Oct 2022 Being refused a visit visa can be very disappointing for the Applicant, Sponsor and, sometimes, the whole family. Often, refusal means missing out on an important family event.

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  8. UK Visa Application Mistakes: How to Handle them

    In case your UK visa application is rejected due to a mistake, there are options to challenge the decision, especially if the refusal imposes a re-entry ban. At this point, engaging an immigration solicitor could prove highly advantageous. They have the proficiency and expertise to handle your UK visa rejection efficiently.

  9. UK Visa Refusal & Appeal

    If you are refused entry to the UK after applying in your home country, you have 28 calendar days from the date of receipt of an official refusal letter to appeal. If your visa is cancelled on arrival or your current visa is refused to be extended in the UK, you must lodge an appeal not later than 14 days after the date of decision.

  10. UK Visa Refusal Appeal

    To discuss your appeals options or if you have any queries regarding your UK visa refusal, please contact our London immigration lawyers on 020 7439 3000. You can book a legal consultation with one of our immigration lawyers so that we can assess your case and advise you accordingly. Learn how to appeal UK visa refusal in this complete visa ...

  11. What details should a good cover letter contain to back up a UK Visit

    If the VFS tries to tell you that your letter is not required and removes it from your bundle (because they do stuff like that), it would be appropriate to make immediate representations. Summary: based on everything you provided, the usefulness of a cover letter is marginal, you may be overthinking this part of the application.

  12. UK Visa Reapply or Appeal after Refusal 2024 Expert Guidance

    1. Decision-Making After UK Visa Refusal in 2024 2. Assessing Your Chances of Success with a UK Visa After Refusal 3. Strategic Approach to Reapplying After a UK Visa Refusal 4. Reconsideration: An Option in UK Visa Reapply Process 5. Administrative Review in UK Visa Reapplication 6. Exploring Legal Avenues: Addressing UK Visa Refusal Decisions 7.

  13. PDF Wording for refusal letters (including reviews)

    The purpose of the refusal letter . It is important that the refusal or the review refusal letter be set out in a clear manner, as it explains to the applicant or representative why their application was refused. It should clearly indicate why the points in certain sections could not be awarded and/or why the applicant did not meet the English ...

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    The Entry Clearance Officer/Visa Section UK Visas and Immigration British Embassy Abu Dhabi 5th May 2015 Re: Visitor Visa for Post Reference: Dear Sir/Madam I am writing in support of an application I made for a visitor visa for a period of 1 month and 20 days to enable me to visit UK and see my friend XXX XXX .

  15. Can I reapply for a UK visa immediately after a refusal?

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  16. How to Write an Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal?

    What Is an Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal? In order to appeal the negative decision taken in your case, you will have to write an Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal. The process of writing this letter is not a simple task.

  17. Refusal Letter for UK Visa: What are the Next Steps?

    0161 491 8520 [email protected] Refusal Letter for UK Visa: What are the Next Steps? A visa to live, work or visit in the UK can bring a huge amount of opportunities. It can be extremely disheartening, then, when a letter arrives to tell you that your application has been rejected.

  18. Chances of Getting UK Visa After Refusal

    The date on a postage stamp indicates the amount of time you have to take action and possibly alter the decision. In addition, the refusal letter includes the reason you were denied, which may be more than one. We can help you avoid a UK visa refusal. Call us on 0333 305 9375 or contact us online.

  19. Cover Letter For UK Visitor Visa(5 Samples)

    When applying for a UK visitor Visa, your cover letter is an opportunity to show your recipient why you qualify. The best format for writing a cover letter is as follows: Address the recipient with a formal salutation. For example, "Dear/Hello (name of the recipient)." If you do not know the recipient's name, you can refer to them as sir/madam.