An Administrative Review (AR) is the first and most efficient way to challenge a Home Office decision that contains a caseworking error. Unlike an appeal, it is not about re-arguing the facts but ensuring that the law has been applied correctly and the evidence has been properly assessed.
At First Law Solicitors, we handle Administrative Reviews with forensic accuracy. Each case is personally overseen by a senior immigration solicitor who understands both the procedural mechanics of the AR system and the deeper evidential logic that persuades decision-makers to overturn refusals.
The Administrative Review process is set out in Appendix AR of the Immigration Rules. It applies to most points-based, work, family, and student routes where the Home Office has made a factual, procedural, or legal mistake in refusing an application.
Since the Tribunals (Procedure) Rules 2025 came into force, the Administrative Review process has been fully digitised. Applications are now submitted online through the MyUKVI portal, and all evidence is automatically cross-verified against Home Office records using the DUAA 2025 data network.
This means that a strong Administrative Review is not simply about writing persuasive representations it must also anticipate what the Home Office’s automated systems will detect or flag when reviewing your file. Our solicitors ensure that both the human and digital elements of your review are aligned, consistent, and compelling.
You can request an Administrative Review if your visa or leave to remain application has been refused on the basis of a caseworking error. Common examples include:
Administrative Review is not available for every immigration route. Some refusal decisions, particularly asylum or human rights matters, carry a right of appeal instead. Our solicitors assess the legal nature of your refusal to determine whether an Administrative Review or Judicial Review is the correct procedural path.
Once you receive a refusal, you typically have 14 days to apply for an Administrative Review if you are inside the UK. The review is conducted by a different Home Office caseworker who was not involved in the original decision.
At First Law Solicitors, we begin by conducting a line-by-line analysis of your refusal letter to identify the exact legal or evidential errors. We then prepare a written submission that not only challenges the identified error but also pre-empts any potential counterargument the reviewer may raise.
All submissions are digitally filed through the Home Office AR portal, and all documents are certified with Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) to comply with DUAA 2025 requirements. The Home Office can then verify the authenticity of every piece of evidence through its digital identity matching system.
Most Administrative Reviews are decided within 6 to 12 months, but our proactive digital liaison with the Home Office often secures earlier outcomes in complex cases.
If your Administrative Review succeeds, the Home Office will withdraw the refusal and issue a new decision often granting your visa outright.
If the refusal is maintained, you may still have the option to pursue Judicial Review or make a fresh application using the procedural findings from your AR to strengthen your next submission.
Our team ensures that whichever path you take, your record remains consistent and DUAA-compliant, so that previous rejections do not cause prejudice in future applications.
Administrative Review is not just a paperwork exercise; it is a structured legal argument built on timing, tone, and evidence. Our strategy focuses on three key pillars:
Precision and Alignment
Every submission we make is matched against your DUAA digital profile, including eVisa records, HMRC data, and previous immigration history. This prevents the Home Office from dismissing your evidence as inconsistent.
Evidence Reinforcement
We strengthen your original file rather than re-submitting it unchanged. This often includes expert letters, newly verified documents, or clarifications that directly address the reasons for refusal.
Proactive Resolution
Where possible, we engage with the Home Office’s Case Resolution Unit before a final determination, aiming to resolve matters through dialogue rather than escalation.
The Data Use and Access Act 2025 governs how immigration data is exchanged and verified in 2026. It allows caseworkers to cross-check digital information automatically against HMRC, the DVLA, and the NHS to confirm identity, residence, and employment.
We ensure that all digital submissions to the Home Office pass DUAA integrity checks before filing, eliminating discrepancies that could trigger delays or further refusals. Every document is verified and sealed with a Qualified Electronic Signature, ensuring that authenticity is never questioned.
If the Home Office maintains its refusal following Administrative Review, the next step is often Judicial Review, where a court assesses the lawfulness of the decision itself.
Our solicitors provide seamless representation between these stages, ensuring that the factual record built during the Administrative Review is preserved and expanded for litigation if necessary. This continuity of representation significantly increases the likelihood of eventual success.
At First Law Solicitors, we approach Administrative Reviews with the same strategic rigour as court litigation. Each case benefits from senior solicitor oversight, integrated digital case preparation, and compliance with the latest procedural standards under DUAA 2025.
Our firm’s commitment to accuracy, technology, and client care ensures that your Administrative Review is not only legally persuasive but also fully compatible with the Home Office’s new automated review systems.
We measure success by outcomes, not process, whether that means a corrected decision, a successful reissue of leave, or a strategic transition to Judicial Review where appropriate.
If your visa application has been refused and you believe the Home Office made a factual or procedural error, contact First Law Solicitors immediately. Our experienced team will assess your decision, identify legal errors, and prepare a targeted review that meets the 2026 digital and procedural standards.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to arrange a private consultation with a senior immigration solicitor.
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