Reconsideration requests

A reconsideration request is a written request asking us to review the decision that we made on an immigration application. It is not a formal appeal.

Requests sent on or after 13 November 2012

For requests sent on or after 13 November 2012, we will accept one reconsideration request if you submitted your application in the UK and the request:

  • is about the grant of leave for an approved application; or
  • the request relates to a decision directly affected by the Alvi judgment and was made within 3 months of the date we make a decision on your application; or
  • relates to an application that was refused and you are providing new evidence to prove the date of application, providing new evidence that documents submitted with the application are genuine, or identifying relevant material which was not available to the caseworker but was received by the Home Office before the decision date.

Timescale for making a reconsideration request

For application decisions made on or after 09 July 2013, you must submit any reconsideration request within three months of the deemed date of receiving the decision. For postal applications, the deemed date means two working days after the decision was posted.

Effect of fresh application

Any request for a reconsideration of a decision made on or after 09 July 2013 will be rejected if you make a fresh application for limited or indefinite leave to remain. It will be rejected regardless of whether the reconsideration request is made before or after the fresh application is made.

Requests sent before 13 November 2012

For requests sent before the reconsiderations guidance was published on 13 November 2012, we will accept one reconsideration request if you submitted your request in writing and your immigration status has not since been resolved.

Accepting requests

We will only accept a request to reconsider an application if it meets one of the above criteria. If we find that an approved case should have been refused when we reconsider it, we will consider curtailing (cancelling) any leave that we incorrectly granted.

Scope of policy

This policy applies to applications in the UK in the following categories:

  • all points-based system applications;
  • all further limited leave to remain applications, any application correctly made on a form with a prefix 'FLR';
  • all indefinite leave to remain applications, any application correctly made on a form with a prefix 'SET';
  • transfer of conditions (TOC); and
  • no time limit (NTL).

How do I submit a reconsideration request?

You must submit your reconsideration request in writing to the team who made the decision on your application within 3 months of the date we make a decision on your application. You must state why you think our decision was incorrect. You may only submit a request once. New evidence will not be considered. If you have left the UK you cannot submit a request.

You can find further information about how we process requests in our staff guidance.