Visa expiring or refused?Some deadlines are only 14 days.Book an urgent call
ILR refused? Here's what you can doIf your Indefinite Leave to Remain was refused, the time to act is short.
Send us your refusal letter and we'll tell you your options.
- We read your refusal letter and tell you your deadline
- Fixed fee agreed before we start
- Video call as standard, wherever you are
Review, appeal, or fresh application after a refusal
from £1,000+ VAT
from £1,200 including VAT
- Included
- Review of the refusal letter and your original application
- Advice on reapplying, administrative review, or appeal
- Preparing your fresh application or grounds of appeal
- Representation at an appeal hearing (quoted separately if needed)
- Not included
The Home Office charges a fee for administrative review, and the tribunal charges a fee for an appeal.
- Typical timescale
- Deadlines can be short; book an urgent call
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- Fixed feesAgreed in writing before we start
- 1 working dayTo reply to every message
- English, বাংলা, اردو, हिन्दीLanguages we speak
What it costs
We agree a fixed fee with you before we start, once we know which option is right.
| Service | Our fee | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
Review, appeal, or fresh application after a refusalWhat's included
Timescale: Deadlines can be short; book an urgent call | from £1,000+ VATfrom £1,200 incl. VAT | from £1,200 |
| Immigration consultation (30 minutes)With a solicitor. Credited against our fees if you instruct us. | £150+ VAT£180 incl. VAT | £180 |
Our fees are + VAT at 20%. They don't include Home Office fees, which you pay directly to the Home Office.
Other costs you'll pay
- Administrative review£80
- Tribunal appeal fee£80 or £140
£80 for a decision on the papers, £140 with a hearing. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Indefinite Leave to Remain application£3,226
Per person. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Barrister for a hearing (if needed)Quoted in advance
We agree the barrister's fee with you in writing before booking them.
Official fees have no VAT and are paid directly, not to us. Correct at 27 October 2026; the Home Office usually changes its fees in April and October. Estimates are marked "about" or "usually".
The Home Office charges a fee for administrative review, and the tribunal charges a fee for an appeal. A new application means paying the Home Office application fee again. If a barrister is needed at a hearing, their fees are extra. Translation costs may apply.
Key stages and timescales
- Urgent call: As soon as you contact us; tell us your deadline
- Deadline to challenge: Usually 14 days if you're in the UK
- Preparing your review, appeal, or new application: Within your deadline
- Tribunal decision, if you appeal: Often several months, depending on the tribunal's listing
If you're in the UK, you usually have 14 days to ask for an administrative review or to appeal (7 days for a review if you're detained). Contact us as soon as you receive the letter.
Your fixed fee, in writing, before we start.
Tell us about your situation on a free call and we'll confirm the fee that applies to you.
Book a free call for your quoteIs this you?
Not sure? Answer 3 quick questions or book a free call and tell us what's happened.
- Your Indefinite Leave to Remain application has been refused and you don't understand the letter.
- You're not sure whether you can appeal, ask for a review, or should apply again.
- You're worried about whether you can stay in the UK, work, or travel while you decide.
How we help
Step 1: Check the letter and your deadline
We read the refusal letter and your original application, find out exactly why it was refused, and confirm the date you must act by.
Step 2: Tell you your options
We explain whether an administrative review, an appeal, or a fresh application is right for you, what each one costs, and how long it usually takes.
Step 3: Prepare the review, appeal, or new application
We prepare the grounds and your evidence, or a new application that deals with each reason for refusal.
Step 4: Prepare for the hearing
If your appeal goes to a hearing, we prepare your case and witness statements. Representation at the hearing is quoted separately.
First, find your deadline
Your refusal letter says why your application was refused, whether you can ask for an administrative review or appeal, and how long you have. If you're in the UK, the deadline is usually 14 days. Write down the date you received the letter and contact us as soon as you can.
Why ILR applications get refused
Most refusals fall into a few groups:
- too much time spent outside the UK, which breaks your continuous residence
- the Life in the UK test or the English language requirement wasn't met, or the certificate wasn't accepted
- suitability problems, such as a criminal conviction, unpaid NHS charges, or a past immigration problem
- gaps in your lawful residence, for example where a visa ran out before you applied for the next one
- applying on the wrong route, applying too early, or not sending the evidence your route asks for
Some of these, like a missing document or a test you've now passed, can often be put right in a new application.
Administrative review or appeal?
Which one you can use depends on the type of refusal. Your letter will tell you.
An appeal goes to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), where an independent judge looks at your case again. You can only appeal if the Home Office refused a human rights claim. Many ILR refusals on the partner or family route come under this, because they're about your right to family life.
Administrative review is for most refusals on points-based routes, such as Skilled Worker. You ask the Home Office to check whether the caseworker made a mistake, for example by missing evidence or applying the wrong rule. You usually can't send new evidence.
Applying again
A fresh application can be quicker when the reason for refusal is something you can now prove or fix. It needs to deal with every reason in the refusal letter, or it risks being refused again. You'll pay the Home Office fee again.
What happens to your status
If you applied for ILR before your visa ran out, your permission usually carried on while the Home Office decided. If you then ask for an administrative review or appeal in time, it normally carries on, on the same conditions, until the review or appeal is decided. This is often called section 3C leave. It ends if you leave the UK.
If you miss the deadline, or your visa had already ended when you applied, you may have no permission to be in the UK. Overstaying can affect future applications, and longer periods can lead to a ban on returning if you leave. Get advice straight away.
Who will handle your case
Every matter is supervised by
Sony Sadaf Haroon
Principal solicitor, SRA ID 482574
Your matter is run by one of our SRA-regulated solicitors, with a caseworker preparing documents under their supervision. We'll tell you who your contact is when you instruct us.
Sony supervises our solicitors and caseworkers, and is the firm's Compliance Officer for Legal Practice and for Finance and Administration. She studied at SOAS University of London, was called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1997, and qualified as a solicitor in 2008.
Check us on the SRA register (opens in a new tab)In our clients' words
I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help…
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I contacted Sony to get advice after my settlement application was refused. Her professional advice helped us to decide what would be the best option for the next step. The whole process was very quick and smooth, the correspondence was fantastic, and I received a positive decision from the HO literally a couple of hours after all necessary documentation was sent off. I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help, and I will definitely go back in the future if needed. Many thanks, Sony!
Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues.
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I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by this solicitor firm during my UK visa application process. From the very beginning, they demonstrated a thorough understanding of immigration law and offered clear guidance tailored to my specific situation. Their professionalism and attention to detail made the complex application process much smoother. They were always available to answer my questions, providing timely updates and reassurance along the way. Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking assistance with UK immigration matters. Their dedication truly made a difference!
Believe me, I've been through many solicitors, but none comes close to my experience of working with Sony Law.
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Navigating the complexities of immigration law can be daunting. Believe me, I've been through many solicitors, but none comes close to my experience of working with Sony Law. They were an absolute game changer. From the very first consultation, they demonstrated an extraordinary level of expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for my case…
Not sure which service you need?
Answer three questions and we'll point you to the right page, or just call and tell us what's happened.
Guides on this topic
- When can I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?Qualifying periods for Indefinite Leave to Remain by route, applying up to 28 days early, and how time spent outside the UK can affect your date.4 min read
- Spouse visa requirements explainedThe main UK spouse visa requirements: your relationship, finances, accommodation, English language and immigration history, and how each one is assessed.4 min read
- The spouse visa financial requirement explainedThe UK spouse visa financial requirement in plain English: the minimum income, what income and savings count, how to combine them, and the evidence you need.5 min read
Frequently asked questions
Can I appeal an ILR refusal?
Only if the refusal was of a human rights claim. Many refusals on the partner or family route are, so they come with a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Most refusals on work routes, such as Skilled Worker, come with administrative review instead. Your refusal letter will say which applies to you.
How long do I have?
If you're in the UK, usually 14 days for an administrative review or an appeal. If you're detained, an administrative review must be made within 7 days. If you're outside the UK, it's usually 28 days. Your letter gives the exact deadline, so check it straight away.
Can I stay in the UK while I challenge the refusal?
If you applied for ILR before your visa ran out and you ask for a review or appeal in time, your permission usually continues on the same conditions while it's pending. This is often called section 3C leave. It ends if you leave the UK, so don't travel without advice.
Can I still work while I wait?
If your permission continues under section 3C, you can usually keep working on the same conditions as your last visa. Your employer may ask the Home Office to confirm your status, and we can explain how that works.
Should I challenge the refusal or apply again?
If the caseworker made a mistake, such as missing evidence you sent, a review or appeal may be right. If the problem was something you can now fix, such as a missing test certificate, a new application may be better. Making a new application while a review or appeal is pending can affect it, so get advice on timing first.
Will a refusal affect future applications?
You must declare previous refusals on future applications, including for British citizenship later on. A refusal on its own doesn't stop you applying again, but each new application should deal with the reasons you were refused before.
Book a free 15-minute call
Tell us a little about your situation and pick a time. Our team will call you, explain how we can help and what it will cost.
It takes about two minutes. If you'd like us to help after the call, we send you a fixed quote in writing. There's no obligation.
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