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My UK visa was refused—what should I check first?

A decision-letter-first approach to identifying whether the stated remedy is administrative review, appeal, a new application or something else.

Resource type
Problem-solving guide
Last reviewed
26 July 2026
Official sources
1
Platform role
Information only
General information, not a personal recommendation

This page identifies the public process and questions to check. It cannot confirm a deadline, preserve immigration status or determine the correct remedy for an individual case.

01

Start here

Four immediate checks

  1. 1

    Save the complete decision letter and envelope or email

  2. 2

    Identify the deadline and stated review or appeal right

  3. 3

    Do not submit a fresh application before understanding the effect

  4. 4

    Obtain regulated advice where the consequences are serious

Keep control of the facts

Build a reliable record

Keep the complete decision, application, status record, correspondence and dates together. Use the current official page rather than screenshots or social-media summaries.

Avoid preventable harm

Important risks

  • Different remedies have different tests
  • A new application can withdraw an administrative review
  • Deadlines may be short and location-dependent

Official starting point

Open the current government process

Personal circumstances?

Know when a guide is no longer enough

Eligibility assessments, evidence reviews, application preparation and representation should be handled by a suitably regulated professional.

Verify a regulated professional