Immigration Rules para 320 / Administrative Review / First-Tier Tribunal
UK Visa Rejection & Refusal Reasons Guide 2026
Complete guide to UK visa refusal reasons: Immigration Rules para 320 mandatory refusals, discretionary refusals, administrative review rights, and First-tier Immigration Tribunal appeals.
Overview
UK visa refusals are issued under Immigration Rules paragraph 320 (mandatory grounds) or paragraph 322 (discretionary grounds). Common grounds include: failure to meet financial requirements, false documents, previous overstaying, and paragraph 322(5) character grounds. Applicants have the right to request an Administrative Review within 28 days of an in-country refusal, or appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) where human rights grounds apply.
Key Facts & Statutory Reference
| Item | Detail | Statutory / Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| Para 320 Refusal | Mandatory: deception, exclusion orders, criminal record | Immigration Rules para 320 |
| Para 322 Refusal | Discretionary: false information, character, previous overstay | Immigration Rules para 322 |
| Para 322(5) | Character/conduct grounds — used for senior roles | Immigration Rules para 322(5) |
| Admin Review Deadline | 28 days from refusal letter (in-country) / 14 days (overseas) | Immigration Rules para AR |
| Appeal Rights | Human rights / protection claims — First-tier Tribunal | NIAA 2002 s.82 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The most common grounds for UK visa refusal are failure to satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer of intention to leave the UK at the end of the visit, insufficient financial evidence, and incomplete or incorrect documentation submitted with the application.
An Administrative Review (AR) is an internal Home Office review of a caseworker error — it does not consider new evidence. A First-tier Tribunal appeal allows fresh evidence, legal argument, and a judicial hearing, but is only available where appeal rights exist (human rights, protection claims, or EEA cases).