Administrative Review (Appendix AR) — Skilled Worker / Student refusal

Administrative Review (AR) under Appendix AR of the Immigration Rules is the internal Home Office review process for refusals of points-based system applications (Skilled Worker, Student, GBM, Scale-up, Health & Care Worker).

For [CLIENT_NAME] refused [VISA_TYPE] on [REFUSAL_DATE]:

§1 — APPENDIX AR FRAMEWORK (100-120 words)

Appendix AR 2.4 — Caseworking Errors:
AR is available ONLY for "caseworking error" — specifically:
  (a) Officer applied the wrong refusal reason
  (b) Officer failed to consider evidence submitted
  (c) Officer failed to consider Home Office records or policy
  (d) Officer failed to apply the Immigration Rules correctly

AR is NOT for:
  ▪ New evidence (with very limited exception per AR 5.2)
  ▪ Reconsideration on merits
  ▪ Genuine credibility / discretion exercise by officer
  ▪ Refusals where the underlying rule was not met

Timing (Appendix AR 4.1):
  ▪ 14 calendar days from receipt (in-country applicants)
  ▪ 28 calendar days from receipt (out-of-country applicants)
  ▪ Non-extendable

Fee: GBP 80 (refunded if AR successful — only refundable UKVI fee)

§2 — IS AR APPROPRIATE? (100-120 words)

For [VISA_TYPE] refused on [REFUSAL_GROUNDS]:

AR APPROPRIATE if:
  ▪ Officer cited a fact that was clearly in the original submission but evidently ignored
  ▪ Officer applied wrong refusal reason (e.g. R216 when actually R200)
  ▪ Officer's reasoning contains arithmetic error
  ▪ Officer overlooked a sponsor's CoS certifying maintenance
  ▪ Officer applied wrong SOC code rate

AR NOT APPROPRIATE if:
  ▪ Refusal cites Genuine Student / Genuine Vacancy (judgement-based)
  ▪ Refusal cites credibility findings on interview
  ▪ New evidence needed (reapply instead)
  ▪ Issue is whether to grant discretion on suitability grounds

§3 — DRAFT AR APPLICATION (250-300 words)

"ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW REQUEST

To: UK Visas and Immigration
Applicant: [CLIENT_NAME]
Application reference: [GWF/IHS/Online reference]
Refusal date: [REFUSAL_DATE]
Refused under: [Appendix Skilled Worker / Appendix Student / specific paragraph]

GROUNDS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

Pursuant to Appendix AR of the Immigration Rules, I respectfully request administrative review on the following grounds of CASEWORKING ERROR (Appendix AR 2.4):

GROUND 1 — [State error]
The decision states [quote refusal]. However, the evidence at Annex [letter] of the original submission clearly establishes [fact]:

  ▪ [Specific reference to document]
  ▪ [Page reference and content]
  ▪ This evidence was not considered, as the decision makes no reference to it

The Home Office's failure to consider evidence submitted constitutes a caseworking error under Appendix AR 2.4(b).

GROUND 2 — [State error if applicable]
The decision additionally states [quote]. The relevant Immigration Rule [identify rule] requires [interpretation]. However, the officer has applied the rule incorrectly by [explain misapplication]:

  ▪ [Specific example]
  ▪ [Rule interpretation]
  ▪ Correct application would have resulted in [different outcome]

This constitutes a caseworking error under Appendix AR 2.4(d) — failure to apply the Immigration Rules correctly.

GROUND 3 — [State error if applicable]
[Additional grounds as appropriate]

EVIDENCE REFERENCED
I rely on the evidence already submitted with my application, namely:
[List original document bundle with page references]

NO NEW EVIDENCE IS INTRODUCED. The above grounds rely solely on evidence already in the application file.

OUTCOME REQUESTED
I respectfully request that the decision dated [REFUSAL_DATE] be overturned and my [VISA_TYPE] visa application approved.

[CLIENT_NAME], [DATE]
[Contact email + phone]"

§4 — EVIDENCE STRATEGY (100-120 words)

Critical: AR accepts NO new evidence (per Appendix AR 5.1). Limited exceptions (AR 5.2):
  ▪ Evidence already on Home Office database (e.g. previous successful applications)
  ▪ Evidence relating to a casework error itself (e.g. submission receipt)
  ▪ Where Home Office has changed its records

For [EVIDENCE_REFERENCE]: tie each piece of evidence to the original submission. Cite Annex letters, page references, document names.

If applicant has MATERIAL NEW evidence:
  ▪ AR is wrong route — file fresh application instead
  ▪ Fresh application = standard fee, standard processing
  ▪ Disclose prior refusal in fresh application (Section 9 false rep risk if not disclosed)

§5 — POST-AR OUTCOMES (80-100 words)

Possible outcomes:
  ▪ SUCCESSFUL AR — visa granted; fee refunded
  ▪ UNSUCCESSFUL AR — refusal stands; further routes:
    - Fresh application (with new evidence)
    - Pre-Action Protocol JR + Upper Tribunal JR (if AR refusal contains legal error)
    - Appeal under s.82 Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (very rare for PBS refusals; only if human rights claim or refugee claim made)

Strategy after unsuccessful AR:
  ▪ Most Indian PBS refusals resolve via fresh application
  ▪ JR is appropriate only where AR ground was a genuine legal error and AR refused
  ▪ Consult OISC/IAA Level 3 adviser or immigration solicitor for JR decision

§6 — POST-DECISION TIMING (60-80 words)

  ▪ Standard AR processing: 28 days
  ▪ Complex cases: 2-3 months
  ▪ Most decisions: 28-56 days

While AR pending:
  ▪ In-country applicants: cannot apply for another visa concurrent with AR
  ▪ Cannot leave UK without abandoning AR (in-country)
  ▪ Out-of-country: applicant in home country
  ▪ Restarting status clock: AR success = visa from AR success date

§7 — INDIAN APPLICANT NOTES (60-80 words)

  ▪ Most Indian PBS refusals on documentary/CAS/CoS/maintenance grounds = potential AR candidates
  ▪ Refusals on credibility / Genuine Student / Genuine Vacancy = AR likely fails; reapply
  ▪ Multiple PBS refusals build adverse history; document properly
  ▪ Refusal does NOT affect other-country applications (Canada, Australia, Ireland) but always disclose
  ▪ Refusal mid-existing visa: Section 3C leave may apply during AR

End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. AR is a narrow remedy; misuse wastes the chance + builds adverse history. Triage carefully: if new evidence is available, reapply. The 14/28-day AR deadline is non-extendable. Engage OISC/IAA Level 3 adviser for JR consideration after unsuccessful AR."