Appeal against a visa or immigration decision

Appeal against a visa or immigration decision

You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) if the Home Office has decided to:
• refuse your protection claim (also known as ‘asylum claim’ or ‘humanitarian protection’)
• revoke your protection status
• refuse your human rights claim
• deport you or refuse you a residence document under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016
• revoke your British citizenship
• deport you, refuse or revoke your status, or vary the length or condition of your stay under the EU Settlement Scheme
• refuse or revoke your travel permit or family permit under the EU Settlement Scheme
The tribunal is independent of government. A judge will listen to both sides of the argument before making a decision.
If you do not have the right to appeal, you might be able to ask the Home Office for an administrative review.

You can only appeal to the tribunal if you have the legal right to appeal – you’ll usually be told if you do in your decision letter.
You have 14 days to appeal from the date the decision was sent.
If you apply after the deadline, you must explain why – the tribunal will decide if it can still hear your appeal.

Ask for an oral hearing
You can ask for a decision to be made either:
• just on the information in your appeal form and any documents supplied to the tribunal
• at a hearing that you and your representative can attend
The tribunal can decide to have a hearing even if you do not ask for one. You’ll be told if this is the case and invited to attend.
If the tribunal does not hold a hearing, a judge will decide your case based on your appeal form and the documents.

You can only appeal to the tribunal if you have the legal right to appeal – you’ll usually be told if you do in your decision letter.
You have 28 days to appeal after you get your decision. If you have to leave the country before you’re allowed to appeal, you have 28 days to appeal once you’ve left the country.
If you apply after the deadline, you must explain why – the tribunal will decide if it can still hear your appeal.

Ask for an oral hearing
You can ask on your appeal form for a decision to be made either:
• just on the information in your appeal form and any documents supplied to the tribunal
• at a hearing that your representatives can attend
The tribunal can decide to have a hearing even if you do not ask for one. You’ll be told if this is the case.
If the tribunal does not hold a hearing, a judge will decide your case based on your appeal form and documents.

Immigration appeals can be complex, we have the expertise and experience to guide you through the process and give you the best chance of success.