FAQs 2 - Visa and Immigration Problems

Q: What if I am refused a UK visa?
A: If you are refused a visa, the entry clearance officer will give you a written notice clearly explaining the decision, which will also tell you if you have the right of appeal. For more information go to refusals and appeals

Q: If I am refused, can I appeal against the decision?
A: Certain categories of visa attract the right of appeal. If you have the right of appeal this will be stated in your written notice of refusal. Family visitors, settlement applications and students who apply to spend over six months in the UK - amongst others - have the right of appeal. For more information go to refusals and appeals

Q: How long will my appeal take?
A: The following is a guide only as to how long an appeal will take. The length of time an appeal will take varies from case to case.

Family Visit appeal - You can choose to have your appeal decided on papers only, or at an oral hearing where your sponsor or representative may attend the appeal hearing. The Immigration Appellate Authority's (IAA) aim is to process paper hearings as quickly as possible and should not take more than a few weeks after the papers have been received by the Immigration Appellate Authority. An oral hearing will be dealt with in the same way as other appeals (see below). Unfortunately, it is not possible to give guarentees on how long an appeal will take and this information is given for guidance only.

Other appeals - It is not possible to give time-scales for other appeals. It is unlikely that the appeal will be listed for a hearing for some considerable time, possibly up to one year.
For more information go to refusals and appeals

Q: What if I have been refused a visa for another country before?
A: Each visa application for the UK is dealt with on its own merits, but an entry clearance officer may wish to know why another country refused you a visa.

Q: What if I have been refused entry to another country?
A: As above, the entry clearance officer may wish to know why you were refused entry to another country.