Refusals and reapplications

A refusal is upsetting, and it is tempting to apply again straight away. This service is for anyone who has received a refusal and wants to understand it properly before deciding what to do next.

Who it is for

• Applicants refused a visa for the UK, Canada, the USA, Australia or a Schengen country.

• People who are unsure whether to ask for a review, appeal or make a fresh application.

• People who were refused in the past and are now applying for a different country, and need to declare that refusal correctly.

What is included

• A careful reading of your refusal letter with you, explaining each reason in plain language.

• A comparison of the reasons with the application and evidence you submitted.

• An explanation of the options the refusal letter gives you, such as administrative review, an appeal or a fresh application, and the deadlines that apply.

• A view on whether anything can realistically be fixed, and what new evidence might address the concerns.

What you get at the end

A written summary of why you were refused, what your options are, and our recommended next step. Sometimes the honest advice is to wait until your circumstances change. If a fresh application makes sense, we can move on to our application preparation service.

What we need from you

• The full refusal letter or notice, including every page.

• A copy of the application you submitted and the documents you sent with it.

• Details of any other applications you have made, for any country.

Limits you should know about

Deadlines for reviews and appeals can be short, so contact us as soon as you receive the decision. We cannot reverse a refusal or influence how a government reviews it. Appeals to a tribunal or court, judicial review, and cases involving removal or deportation are legal matters, and we will refer you to a solicitor for them.