Visa refusals, delays and complex immigration cases

01

Identify the matter and its urgency

In your first message, identify whether the matter concerns a refusal or administrative review, asylum or human rights, overstaying, removal or deportation, or an older unresolved case. These matters do not all follow the same application or review process.

Provide the decision date, any stated deadline, current permission and previous applications. The team will explain what help is appropriate and its scope before detailed work begins.

• Make a general immigration enquiry
• Make a refusal enquiry

02

Preserve the decision and its timeline

Keep the complete decision, covering email and any envelope or notice showing when it reached you. Record your location, current permission and whether you have already requested a review or lodged an appeal.

A general website enquiry does not protect a deadline. If a time limit is near, say so immediately and seek urgent advice rather than waiting for a routine response. Different procedures use different time limits; do not assume a single fourteen- or twenty-eight-day rule applies to every decision.

03

Choose the procedure before preparing arguments

An appeal to the independent immigration tribunal is available only where the law provides a right of appeal. A refusal letter should normally explain the available route.

Administrative review is different: it examines an eligible decision for specified caseworking errors. It is not a general opportunity to rewrite the application around new circumstances. Judicial review concerns the lawfulness of a decision or conduct; the correct court or tribunal and any specialist representation must be identified separately.

04

Distinguish an error from an evidence problem

A useful review maps each refusal reason to the rule applied and the material the decision-maker had. It then distinguishes an overlooked document, an incorrect legal test, an unresolved factual issue and evidence that was never submitted.

These distinctions help determine whether a challenge, a fresh application or another step should be considered. No option should be recommended merely because it sounds quicker.

• Retain the submitted form and document list.
• Identify exactly which evidence was uploaded, with receipts where available.
• Separate later documents from material available at the original decision.
• Flag inconsistencies, past refusals or allegations directly rather than omitting them.

05

Agree a workable scope of assistance

Start with a short summary of the decision, route and deadline. The team can then confirm whether the matter fits the service and explain fees for the proposed substantive review. Sending an enquiry does not mean a full document review or representation has been accepted.

Court work may require a separately instructed professional with the necessary rights. Where status, removal, reporting conditions or a pending challenge are involved, the effect of any new application or travel must be considered before action.

06

ECAA extension and ILR matters

ECAA extensions, settlement and refusal reviews are distinct assessments. Business or employment history, residence and family status must be considered for the particular application. Use the relevant guide as a starting point; if refused, also identify the decision and its stated deadline.

• ECAA extensions
• ECAA settlement (ILR)

Common questions