UK Visa Refusal: Administrative Review

If your UK visa application was refused, you may be able to ask for an administrative review instead of making a fresh application. This guide covers who qualifies, the deadline and fee, how long it takes and when a second review is barred. Verified against gov.uk, October 2026.

The 15-second answer

You can ask for an administrative review if you are outside the UK, you applied outside the UK, and your application was refused. Apply within 28 days of the decision, at a cost of £80. It can currently take 12 months or more.

When you can apply

Your decision letter will tell you if you can ask for a review. You can only apply for an administrative review if all of the following apply:

• You are outside the UK.
• You applied outside the UK.
• Your application was refused.

There is a different route if you applied as a Frontier Worker. If you are in the UK, or your visa was cancelled at the border, separate guidance applies.

Deadline and fee

You must apply within 28 days of getting the decision. It costs £80. Applications are made online through the Home Office administrative review service.

How long it takes

Currently, it can take 12 months or more to receive the result of the administrative review. If you do not get a decision within 6 months, the Home Office will contact you with an update. Your rights are not affected by the delay in processing applications.

Second reviews

You cannot request a second review, unless the result of the first review found new reasons why you were refused. Your decision letter will tell you if you can apply for a second review.

Withdrawing your request

• Your request will be withdrawn if you make any other immigration or visa application.
• Your request will be rejected if you ask for a review of a previous decision after submitting a new application.
• You can email the Home Office to ask for your request to be withdrawn, but your application fee will not be refunded.

You must include your name, date of birth, nationality and your Global Web Form (GWF) reference number, which was given when you first applied and appears on emails and letters from the Home Office.

Review or reapply?

An administrative review challenges the decision on your existing application; a fresh application is a new decision on new evidence. Because the review can take 12 months or more, weigh the wait against preparing a stronger application — but note that making another application will withdraw an in-progress review request.

Frequently asked questions

When can I ask for an administrative review?
Only if all three apply: you are outside the UK, you applied outside the UK, and your application was refused. Your decision letter will say if you can ask for one.

How long do I have and what does it cost?
You must apply within 28 days of getting the decision, and it costs £80.

How long does an administrative review take?
Currently it can take 12 months or more. If you do not get a decision within 6 months, the Home Office will contact you with an update, and your rights are not affected by the delay.

Can I ask for a second review?
No, you cannot request a second review, unless the result of the first review found new reasons why you were refused. Your decision letter will tell you.

What happens if I make another application?
Your request for an administrative review will be withdrawn if you make any other immigration or visa application, and it will be rejected if you ask for a review of a previous decision after submitting a new application.

Do I get my fee back if I withdraw?
No. You can email the Home Office to ask for your request to be withdrawn, but the application fee will not be refunded. Include your name, date of birth, nationality and GWF reference number.

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Source note: the three qualifying conditions, the 28-day deadline, the £80 fee, the online application, the “12 months or more” processing time with the 6-month Home Office update, the bar on a second review unless new reasons are found, the withdrawal and rejection rules, the no-refund rule, the required name/date of birth/nationality/GWF details and the Frontier Worker exception are from the UK government page gov.uk/ask-for-a-visa-administrative-review, checked October 2026.