Common Reasons for UK Visa Refusal

• Insufficient funds: Inability to demonstrate enough financial resources for the stay.

• Inadequate travel purpose: Vague or unclear reasons for visiting the UK.

• Failure to meet eligibility criteria: Not fulfilling visa-specific conditions (e.g., work or student requirements).

• Previous Immigration History: Past visa violations or overstays in the UK or other countries.

• Suspicion of Intent to Overstay: Doubts about the applicant's return after their visa expires.

• Invalid passport: The visa applicant does not have a valid passport.

UK Visa Refusal Appeal Process

If an applicants visa has been rejected, he/she will be notified of the same in writing, with the reason for the refusal also mentioned.

A visa can be refused under the points-based system, which is the UK's immigration management system. Applicants whose visas have been refused under this system can appeal for an administrative review only.

The visa rejection letter will specify if the applicant is permitted to appeal the decision. If the letter does not mention an appeal can be filed, the applicant will have to file a fresh visa application.

The visa appeal process takes around 12 weeks, beginning from the submission of the appeal application to the hearing and decision by the judge.

Once the visa application has been rejected, the applicant can appeal the decision by following the below steps:

1. Fill in Form IAFT-2, which is the form for appeal against a Home Office decision regarding refusal of visa.
2. Submit the form, duly filled in and signed, along with supporting documents to the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber).
3. The Chamber will send a receipt on receiving the documents, after which the documents will be forwarded to the relevant authorities, where the case will be reviewed.
4. The original decision will either be overturned or upheld, and the decision will be communicated to the applicant in writing.
5. A hearing will be arranged and the applicant will be sent details of the hearing, where an immigration judge will review all documents pertaining to the case and make a decision within 10 days from the date of the hearing.
6. If the hearing is in the applicants favour, the visa office will get in touch with the applicant and complete the visa application process.
7. If the visa rejection is upheld, the applicant can attempt to file a fresh application.

Reapplying for a UK Visa After Refusal

Once an applicants visa application has been rejected, the applicant can choose to re-apply for a visa.

A fresh application can be filed as soon as the first visa application was rejected, or on completion of the appeal process.

When re-applying for a UK visa, care should be taken to ensure the form is filled in correctly and all relevant information has been provided, to avoid the visa application being rejected again.