Visa expiring or refused?Some deadlines are only 14 days.Book an urgent call
Visa refusal and appeal solicitors in St AlbansA refusal isn't always the end.
Some deadlines are just 14 days, so get advice quickly.
- Fixed fees, agreed upfront
- Solicitor-led, St Albans office
- Reply within 1 working day
Refusal review, fresh application, or appeal
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
Fees for an administrative review, a tribunal appeal, or a new Home Office application are paid to the Home Office or the tribunal.
- 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)
- Since 2009SRA-regulated, no. 635480 (opens in a new tab)
- Fixed feesAgreed in writing before we start
- 1 working dayTo reply to every message
- English, বাংলা, اردو, हिन्दीLanguages we speak
What it costs
The price depends on the option that's right for you. We agree a fixed fee with you before we start.
| Service | Our fee | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
Refusal review, fresh application, or appealWhat'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)
- Barrister for a hearing (if needed)Quoted in advance
We agree the barrister's fee with you in writing before booking them.
- Certified translations (if needed)Usually £30 to £60 a page
Paid to the translator. We'll tell you if any documents need translating.
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".
Fees for an administrative review, a tribunal appeal, or a new Home Office application are paid to the Home Office or the tribunal. 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 challenge: Usually 14 days if you're in the UK or 28 days if you're outside it, from the decision
- Preparing your review, appeal, or new application: Within your deadline
- Tribunal decision, if you appeal: Often several months, depending on the tribunal's listing
Deadlines are short: usually 14 days if you're in the UK and 28 days if you're outside the UK, and shorter if you're detained. Contact us as soon as you receive your refusal.
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.
- You've received a refusal letter from the Home Office and aren't sure what it means.
- You want to know whether to ask for an administrative review, appeal, or apply again.
- Your deadline is close, or your visa is running out, and you need advice now.
How we help
Step 1: Read the refusal letter
We go through the letter and your original application to understand exactly why it was refused and which deadlines apply.
Step 2: Advise on your options
We explain whether administrative review, an appeal, a fresh application, or another step makes most sense, and the risks of each.
Step 3: Prepare your challenge or new application
We prepare the grounds for a review or appeal, or a fresh application that deals with the reasons for refusal.
Step 4: Prepare for a hearing
If your appeal goes to a hearing, we prepare your case and evidence. Representation at the hearing is quoted separately.
Read your refusal letter
Your refusal letter explains why the Home Office refused your application. It also says whether you can ask for an administrative review or appeal, and the deadline for doing so. Keep the letter safe and make a note of the date you received it.
Your options
Administrative review asks the Home Office to look again at whether a caseworker made a mistake, such as missing evidence you sent or wrongly applying the rules. You usually can't add new evidence.
An appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) is heard by an independent judge. It's only available for some decisions, such as refusals of human rights claims, which include most partner and family applications. If it's a spouse or partner visa, see spouse visa refused. If your Indefinite Leave to Remain was refused, see ILR refused, and for a family visit or other visitor visa, which usually can't be appealed, see visitor visa refused.
A fresh application can be the better choice if the problem can be fixed, such as a missing document. Judicial review is a challenge to whether a decision was lawful. It's used where there's no right of appeal, and must be brought promptly, and within three months at the latest.
If your visa has run out
If your permission has already ended, get advice straight away. Overstaying can affect future applications, so deal with it as soon as you can.
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
How long do I have to challenge a refusal?
It depends on the decision. Many deadlines are 14 days if you're in the UK and 28 days if you're outside the UK. Contact us as soon as you get the letter.
What's the difference between administrative review and an appeal?
Administrative review asks the Home Office to check whether a caseworker made a mistake, such as missing evidence you sent. An appeal is heard by an independent judge at the First-tier Tribunal, and is only available for some decisions, such as human rights claims.
Can I appeal a partner 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. Your refusal letter will say whether you can appeal.
Can I stay in the UK while I challenge the decision?
If you applied before your visa ran out, your permission usually continues on the same conditions while an in-time administrative review or appeal is pending. Missing the deadline can mean losing that protection.
Should I just apply again?
Sometimes a fresh application is the simplest option, especially if the refusal was about a missing document. Reapplying without fixing the reasons for refusal risks another refusal, and you'll pay the Home Office fees again.
What is judicial review?
Judicial review is a challenge to whether a decision was lawful, usually brought in the Upper Tribunal. It's used where there's no right of appeal and other options have run out, and it must be started promptly.
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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