A visa refusal is stressful, but it is not necessarily the end of the road. Understanding why you were refused and what steps to take next can make all the difference.
First step: Read your refusal letter carefully. UKVI must state the reason(s) for refusal. Understanding the exact reason is essential before deciding what to do next.
Most Skilled Worker visa refusals fall into a small number of categories:
| Reason | Details |
|---|---|
| Salary below threshold | Your offered salary does not meet the going rate for your SOC code, or falls below the minimum threshold (£41,700 standard, or the applicable tradeable route minimum) |
| Invalid or expired CoS | Your Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned more than 3 months before the application date, or contains errors |
| Sponsor not licensed | Your employer lost their sponsor licence, or their licence was suspended between CoS assignment and your application |
| English language not proven | Your test result is not accepted (wrong test type, below B2), or your exemption evidence was not sufficient |
| Role not at RQF Level 6 | Since 22 July 2025, roles must generally be at graduate level (with a narrow Temporary Shortage List exception for some RQF 3–5 roles). If your SOC code is no longer eligible, the application will fail. |
| Insufficient funds | You could not demonstrate adequate maintenance funds (if required) or the evidence provided was not accepted |
| False or misleading information | Any misrepresentation — even unintentional — can lead to refusal and a ban on reapplying |
| Criminal record | Certain convictions make an applicant ineligible |
If you believe UKVI made an error in assessing your application — for example, they misread your salary, did not consider a document you submitted, or applied the rules incorrectly — you can request an administrative review.
An administrative review is not a reconsideration of the merits of your application. It checks whether the caseworker made a case working error — a mistake in how they applied the Immigration Rules to your case. It does not allow you to submit new evidence.
| Where you applied from | Deadline to request review |
|---|---|
| Outside the UK | 28 days from the date of the refusal decision |
| Inside the UK | 14 days from the date of the refusal decision |
Do not miss the administrative review deadline — it cannot be extended. If you are inside the UK and your leave expires before your review is decided, you may benefit from the statutory extension provisions. Seek legal advice urgently if this applies to you.
For most Skilled Worker visa refusals, there is no right of appeal to the Immigration Tribunal. The only challenge route in most cases is the administrative review above.
Appeal rights to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) are available in limited circumstances — primarily for human rights grounds. If you believe your human rights are engaged (for example, refusal would separate you from British citizen family members), specialist legal advice is essential.
In most cases, you can reapply for a Skilled Worker visa after a refusal. There is generally no mandatory cooling-off period unless your refusal involved deception or misrepresentation (which can result in a 1–10 year ban).
After a refusal, it is strongly advisable to consult a regulated immigration adviser (OISC-registered) or immigration solicitor before reapplying. They can identify issues you may have missed and maximise your chances of success on a second application.
If your extension or switch application from inside the UK is refused, your situation depends on your circumstances: