Visa expiring or refused?Some deadlines are only 14 days.Book an urgent call
Visitor visa refused? Here's what you can doMost visitor visa refusals can't be appealed.
A new application that answers each reason is usually the way forward, and we can help you plan it.
- We read the refusal letter and explain each reason
- Fixed fee agreed before we start
- Video call as standard, for you and your family abroad
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 visa application fee is paid directly to the Home Office, and isn't refunded if the application is refused.
- 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
We agree a fixed fee with you before we start, once we've seen the refusal letter.
| Service | Our fee | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
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
- Standard Visitor visa (up to 6 months)£135
- 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".
The visa application fee is paid directly to the Home Office, and isn't refunded if the application is refused. Translation costs may apply, for example for bank or property documents.
Key stages and timescales
- Reviewing your refusal: Within 5 working days of receiving your documents
- Preparing a new application: Usually 1 to 2 weeks
- Home Office decision: Usually 3 weeks GOV.UK processing times (opens in a new tab)
There's usually no deadline to apply again after a visitor refusal, but it's worth fixing the problems first. If you think the decision was unlawful, judicial review must be brought promptly and within three months at the latest.
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 parents, brother, sister, or another relative applied to visit you from Bangladesh, Pakistan, or elsewhere and were refused.
- You don't understand the refusal letter, or you think the Home Office got something wrong.
- You want to apply again and don't want to be refused a second time.
How we help
Step 1: Review the refusal
We read the refusal letter and the application that was made, and explain in plain words why it was refused.
Step 2: Check your options
We confirm whether there's any right of appeal or review. For most visitor refusals there isn't, so we explain what a new application needs.
Step 3: Plan the new application
We give you a checklist of documents for your relative and for you as the sponsor, so each reason for refusal is dealt with.
Step 4: Prepare and check the application
We help complete the form, write a covering letter and invitation letter that explain the visit, and check everything before it's sent.
Why visitor visas get refused
The refusal letter lists the reasons. For family visits from countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, they usually come down to a few points:
- the Home Office wasn't satisfied the visitor would leave the UK at the end of the visit, often because their ties to home, such as work, family, or property, weren't shown clearly
- the bank statements didn't show enough money, or showed large deposits that weren't explained
- the purpose of the visit, how long it would be, or who would pay wasn't clear
- the sponsor in the UK didn't send enough evidence of their status, relationship, or finances
- previous immigration history, such as an earlier refusal, an overstay, or a refusal that wasn't declared
Is there an appeal?
For most visitor refusals there's no right of appeal and no administrative review. The only legal challenge is usually judicial review, which asks a court whether the decision was lawful. It must be brought promptly, and within three months at the latest. It's rarely the right choice for a visitor visa, and a strong new application is often quicker and cheaper.
A stronger new application
A new application should answer every reason in the refusal letter. That might mean a letter from the visitor's employer confirming their leave, evidence of property or family at home, bank statements over a longer period with the source of any large deposits explained, and a clear plan for the visit. If you're the sponsor, your invitation letter and your own documents can help show where your relative will stay and who's paying.
The previous refusal must be declared on the new form. We'll help you explain what has changed since then.
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…
Read the full reviewHide the full review
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?
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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 visitor visa refusal?
Usually not. Most visitor visa refusals have no right of appeal and no administrative review. An appeal is only possible in rare cases, such as where a human rights claim was made and refused. The refusal letter will say if you can appeal.
What about judicial review?
Judicial review is a court challenge to whether the decision was lawful. The court doesn't decide whether your relative should get a visa. It's costly and rarely the right step for a visitor refusal, but we'll tell you if we think your case is one where it might be.
How soon can we apply again?
There's usually no waiting period. It's better to wait until you can deal with each reason for refusal, because applying again with the same documents is likely to lead to the same result.
Why are family visit visas refused so often?
The most common reasons are that the Home Office isn't satisfied the visitor will go home at the end of the visit, has doubts about their money or where it came from, or isn't clear about the purpose of the visit. Unexplained deposits in bank statements are a frequent problem.
Do we have to mention the refusal next time?
Yes. You must declare previous refusals on every future UK visa application, and on applications to some other countries too. Not declaring a refusal can be treated as deception, which can lead to a much longer ban.
Can I sponsor my relative's visit?
Yes. As the sponsor in the UK, you can write an invitation letter and send evidence of your status, your relationship, where your relative will stay, and, if you're paying, your own finances. This doesn't replace the visitor's own evidence of their ties to home.
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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