Your Challenge Routes
When a UK visa or immigration application is refused, you generally have two main challenge routes:
Appeal to the Tribunal
An appeal is heard by an independent judge at the First-tier Tribunal. Appeals are only available if statute gives you the right (e.g. human-rights, asylum, or certain EU/EEA cases). The Tribunal process allows you to present new evidence. Appeals must be filed very quickly – typically within 14 days of the decision (28 days if you applied from outside the UK).
Administrative Review (AR)
If you have no appeal right, you may be able to request an administrative review by the Home Office. During AR, a different Home Office officer simply checks for an obvious caseworking error – there is no hearing and you cannot add new evidence. The deadline is also 14 days in the UK, 28 days outside.
In summary: an appeal is a formal court process for the cases where the law gives you that right, while an administrative review is an internal re-check when appeals aren’t possible. Your refusal letter will guide which routes are open. If neither is available, the remaining options are usually to reapply or seek a judicial review. Given the tight deadlines and complexity, it is wise to get expert advice early.