Visa expiring or refused?Some deadlines are only 14 days.Book an urgent call
Spouse visa refused? Here's what you can doMost partner visa refusals can be appealed, but the deadline 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
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
Tribunal appeal fees and new Home Office application fees are paid to the tribunal or the Home Office.
- Typical timescale
- Deadlines can be short; book an urgent call
- Award-winningBest Immigration Lawyer in St Albans, Quality Business Awards 2023 (opens in a new tab)
- 4.9 out of 5From 100+ Google reviews (opens in a new tab)
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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 |
|---|---|---|
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
- 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)
- Partner or fiancé(e) visa application from outside the UK£2,064
Per person. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Partner visa application from inside the UK (extend or switch)£1,407
Per person. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (adult)£1,035 a year
Paid upfront for the whole visa, for example £2,587.50 for 2 years 6 months. £776 a year for children. 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".
Tribunal appeal fees and new Home Office application fees are paid to the tribunal or the Home Office. A new application may also mean paying the Immigration Health Surcharge 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 appeal: Usually 14 days if you're in the UK or 28 days if you're outside it
- Preparing your appeal or new application: Within your deadline
- Tribunal decision, if you appeal: Often several months, depending on the tribunal's listing
- Home Office decision on a new application: Usually 12 weeks from outside the UK or 8 weeks from inside it GOV.UK processing times (opens in a new tab)
The deadline to appeal is usually 14 days if you're in the UK and 28 days if you're outside the UK. 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 spouse, partner, or fiancé(e) visa has been refused and you don't understand the letter.
- You're not sure whether to appeal or apply again.
- Your deadline is close, or you're in the UK and your visa is running out.
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 appeal, a fresh application, or another step is right for you, what each one costs, and how long it usually takes.
Step 3: Prepare the appeal or new application
We prepare the grounds of appeal 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 appeal, and how long you have. For most partner visa refusals the deadline is 14 days if you're in the UK and 28 days if you're outside the UK. Write down the date you received the letter and contact us as soon as you can.
Why spouse visas get refused
Most refusals fall into a few groups:
- the financial requirement wasn't met, or the evidence of income wasn't in the form the rules ask for
- the Home Office wasn't satisfied that the relationship is genuine and lasting
- the English language requirement wasn't met, or the test certificate wasn't accepted
- the accommodation evidence wasn't enough
- a previous immigration problem, such as overstaying
Many of these come down to missing or wrongly formatted documents, which can often be put right.
Appeal or apply again?
A partner visa application is normally treated as a human rights claim, because it's about your right to family life. That usually means you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), where an independent judge looks at your case again. Appeals can take months, so it's worth weighing up a fresh application too.
A fresh application can be quicker when the problem was a document or a figure that you can now prove. It needs to deal with every reason given for the refusal, or it risks being refused again.
If you're in the UK and your visa is running out
If you applied before your visa ended and you appeal in time, your permission usually continues while the appeal is pending. If your permission has already ended, get advice straight away, because overstaying can affect future applications.
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.
Read the full reviewHide the full review
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 a spouse visa refusal?
Usually, yes. A partner visa application is normally treated as a human rights claim, so a refusal usually comes with a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Your refusal letter will say whether you can appeal.
How long do I have to appeal?
Usually 14 days if you're in the UK and 28 days if you're outside the UK, counted from the date the decision was sent. Contact us straight away, because preparing an appeal takes time.
Should I appeal or apply again?
If the refusal was about something you can fix quickly, such as a missing document, a new application can be faster. If you think the decision is wrong, or it would break up your family, an appeal may be better. We'll tell you which we think is right for you, and why.
Can I stay in the UK while I appeal?
If you applied before your visa ran out and you appeal in time, your permission usually continues on the same conditions while the appeal is pending. Missing the deadline can mean losing that protection.
What are the most common reasons for refusal?
Not meeting the financial requirement or not providing the right evidence of income, the Home Office doubting that the relationship is genuine, the English language requirement, and accommodation. Many refusals come down to missing or wrongly formatted documents.
Will a refusal affect future applications?
You must declare previous refusals on future applications. 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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