Immigration Appeals & Reviews Solicitors

At BHD Solicitors, we specialise in supporting clients through every stage of the immigration appeals and review process in the UK.

If your visa or immigration application or asylum claim has been refused, it is important to act quickly and understand your rights.

Our experienced team of specialist UK immigration appeal solicitors in London and Croydon have a strong track record in assisting clients, including in several high-profile appeal cases.

Our Senior Partner Paul Turner led BHD Solicitors to success in the Rwanda Test Case, in which the Supreme Court unanimously found the UK Government’s plan to remove asylum seekers to Rwanda to be unlawful.

Paul Turner also successfully challenged the deportation of Johnson by Judicial Review in the High Court. After the case was taken to the Supreme Court, it was declared that part of the British Nationality Act 1981 was incompatible with the Human Rights Act, which led to significant changes in the law.

The team at BHD Solicitors have also successfully represented appellants in Country Guidance cases, which have provided new legal guidance for assessing refugee status claims.

The immigration, asylum, and human rights appeals system has undergone many changes over the years, and its workings have become more complex, indicating both the difficulty and necessity of keeping abreast of developments.

For this reason, the specialist UK visa appeals service offered by our UK immigration solicitors has become increasingly crucial. Our lawyers provide an affordable service for bespoke immigration appeals and reviews in the UK. Please get in touch for more information about how we can assist with your case.

Contact our immigration appeals and reviews solicitors

For further information and a free telephone consultation, call our London or Croydon offices today on 0208 681 5128 and speak to one of our specialist immigration appeal lawyers.

Our immigration appeals and reviews services

Grounds for appealing a visa refusal

If your UK visa application has been refused, there may be legal grounds to challenge the decision.

Common reasons for appeal include procedural errors in assessing your eligibility, new evidence or exceptional circumstances. In some cases, a refusal may breach your human rights, particularly your right to family or private life in the UK.

Our immigration appeal solicitors have extensive experience identifying strong grounds for appeal and can support you throughout the process. We will ensure your case is thoroughly assessed to give you the best possible chance of a successful outcome.

Types of immigration appeals

Immigration appeals in the UK can arise from various decisions made by the Home Office, including visa refusals, deportation orders, and revocation of status.

Common types of appeals include entry clearance refusals, family and spouse visa refusals, and decisions affecting human rights or asylum claims.

Some appeals are heard by the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), where an independent judge reviews the case. Others may progress to the Upper Tribunal if legal errors are identified.

At BHD Solicitors, we can provide clear, strategic guidance tailored to your situation, ensuring every possible route of appeal is considered.

UK visa refusal and appeal process

Elements of the appeal process vary in their difficulty and complexity due to the different types of appeals.

Generally, appeals against a visa or immigration decision are conducted at the Immigration and Asylum Chamber, which includes a First-tier Tribunal and an Upper Tribunal.

The role of the First-tier Tribunal is to hear and decide appeals against immigration decisions made by the UK Border Agency in the UK or the Entry Clearance Officer at diplomatic posts abroad who can issue visas.

Immigration Appeal Review System

The Immigration Appeal Review System provides a means of testing whether a negative decision has violated rights, thereby rendering the decision unlawful.

Our experience shows us that appeals often arise because of incorrect decisions made by the immigration authorities and the judiciary.

Our team of immigration appeal solicitors are regularly involved in challenging decisions made by the immigration authorities by way of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal, the Upper Tribunal and the Court of Appeal and by way of Judicial Review proceedings in the Upper Tribunal and High Court.

Administrative reviews

An administrative review is a process that allows you to challenge certain UK visa or immigration decisions without going to court. It is available when you believe the Home Office has made a case working error in refusing your application.

The review must be requested within a strict time limit, and no new evidence can usually be submitted.

At BHD Solicitors, we can help identify the specific errors made in your refusal decision and present a strong request for reconsideration.

Challenging home office decisions

Challenging a Home Office decision can be complex and time-sensitive, but with the right legal support, it is possible to overturn an unfair outcome. Whether you have received a visa refusal, settlement denial, or status revocation, our specialist solicitors can provide expert guidance on your options.

We will assess the legal merits of your challenge, identify any procedural or factual errors, and build a comprehensive case.

With over 30 years of experience in UK immigration law, our team will ensure that every legal avenue is explored to help you secure a fair resolution.

Frequently asked questions about immigration appeals and reviews

Can I appeal a visa refusal?

Yes, you can appeal a visa refusal in the UK, but only in specific circumstances. An appeal is usually possible if your application involves a human rights claim, a protection claim, or an EU Settlement Scheme decision.

If your refusal does not carry a right of appeal, you may be able to request an administrative review instead.

The appeal process involves submitting your case to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), where an independent judge will review the Home Office’s decision. It is important to act within the deadlines, typically within 14 or 28 days of receiving your refusal decision.

Our specialist immigration appeal solicitors will take the time to understand your circumstances and advise on your best options if your visa has been refused.

What happens if my immigration appeal is denied?

If your immigration appeal is denied, you may still have options. Depending on the circumstances, you could apply for permission to appeal to a higher tribunal, request an administrative review, or pursue a judicial review if there is a legal error in the decision.

Our immigration appeal lawyers will assess your case carefully and advise on the most effective next steps. We understand how important your application is and will work hard to secure a fair outcome.

How long do I have to appeal a decision?

The time you have to appeal an immigration decision will depend on where you are when the decision is made. If you are inside the UK, you typically have 14 calendar days from the date you receive the decision to lodge your appeal. If you are outside the UK, you usually have 28 calendar days.

It is important to act promptly, as late appeals are only considered in exceptional circumstances. Missing the deadline can result in losing the right to appeal altogether, so ensure you check the exact timeframe stated in your decision letter and gather supporting documents quickly.

What happens at an immigration appeal hearing?

At an immigration appeal hearing, your case will be reviewed by an independent judge at the First-tier Tribunal.

The hearing will consider the reasons for your visa refusal alongside your evidence and legal arguments. You or your legal representative will present your case, and a Home Office representative may respond.

The judge may ask questions before making a decision, which is usually sent in writing within a few weeks.

How long does the appeal process take?

The immigration appeal process in the UK can vary in length, but most cases take several months from submission to outcome.

After lodging your appeal, you will typically wait around 12 to 24 weeks for a hearing date, depending on tribunal capacity and case complexity. Following the hearing, a written decision is usually issued within a few weeks.

Delays can occur, particularly in more complex cases or during busy periods. Instructing a specialist solicitor can help to minimise these delays and give you the best possible chance of a timely and successful outcome.

Do I need a solicitor for my appeal?

We provide an appeal service that ensures that our clients are given the best chance of a favourable decision. We provide practical advice and information according to best practice at every stage of the appeal, starting with the decision, followed by procedure, evidence and presentation of the appeal at the appropriate court.

The success of an appeal will depend upon thorough preparation and quality advocacy at the hearing. We only instruct barristers who are specialists in the field of immigration and asylum and human rights law and who maintain the high standards that we demand of them.

We provide free legal assistance to those who are eligible for public funding. Our staff will be happy to give further information concerning this and will make an assessment of your eligibility.

Get expert advice from our immigration appeals and reviews solicitors

For further information and a free telephone consultation, call our London or Croydon offices today on 0208 681 5128 and speak to one of our specialist immigration appeal lawyers.