You got a refusal letter that you can’t get a spouse visa in the UK. You may be confused, afraid, and angry, and you are asking one thing. What now? What can I do to change their mind? When can I apply again for it?
We all know that the UK spouse visa application process can be a complex and stressful process, especially if your application is refused. That is such a devastating situation any family can face, but instead of crying and being sad, you have to understand why the application was denied this time, and what can you do better next time.
Gaining a UK family visa can be an exhausting process, which can cause deep frustration. But, what if we tell you that you can fix it, so next time you can get a positive answer? Whether you are looking to reapply, appeal the decision, or seek professional advice, this article will provide you with the information and guidance you need to take the next steps in your journey.
So, these are the things you can do before reapplying:
Re-read the refusal letter
The refusal letters always contain the reasons why your application was denied. Maybe you failed to meet some legal requirements, or you didn’t provide all the needed documents.
Also, you may need help understanding the reasons behind the refusal, so you won’t make the same mistakes with the next application. Make sure you understand the reasons for the refusal before taking any further action.
When applying the next time, ensure you read the refusal letter again. Do it together with your spouse, so you can make sure you don’t skip any step. Check on the documents again, before attaching them to the application.
Ask for a legal advice
As an applicant, you have a complete right to check if the refusal wasn’t based on mistakes. A legal advisor can check the conditions, and provide documents, and the content of the refusal letter, so they can help you with the next application.
We suggest working with a qualified immigration solicitor since they know many secrets and details about successful applications and missing documentation. Let them check on the application before submitting it to the Home office again.
Resolve the issues listed in the refusal letter
At this point, you need to take one step at a time, and ensure everything is fine before applying for a spouse visa again. If your application was refused because of missing information or documentation, make sure you gather the required information and evidence to support your next application.
Read all listed things before submitting the next application to the home office, because the process costs time and money. And we all know you can’t afford to reapply five times because you are losing a lot of time doing that. Be careful, and resolve the listed issues one by one.
Be transparent in your next application
Even when you think you provided all the needed information, sometimes the Home office needs more supportive proof of that. It’s essential to be honest and transparent, and not skip some critical points on purpose.
Providing false information or hiding important facts can only harm your chances of success. No matter how naive you think hiding some facts is, the Home office can always find the right information.
So, instead of risking never being able to apply again, list the issues yourself and talk to a legal advisor to overcome the challenges. It’s essential to keep good records within the UK territory, so you can keep track of everything, in case of repeated refusal.
Show evidence of your relationship
This may seem too much to ask, but sometimes, you’ll have to provide this information if you need the spouse visa immediately. To successfully overcome a spouse visa refusal, you will need to show that your relationship is genuine and subsisting.
What does it take? Do you need to kiss your spouse in front of the Home office or some institution? Even though that sounds like a romantic movie scene, things are more serious in reality. Maybe you’ll have to provide photographs, letters, emails, and other documents that show the history and continuity of your relationship.
Appeal the decision
As a person who applies for a UK spouse visa, you have many obligations, but also many rights. So, you can consider appealing the decision if you disagree with the content of the refusal letter.
Keep in mind that you only have 28 days to do that. It is important to note that an appeal is a complex legal process and you may wish to seek the advice of an immigration solicitor.
Sometimes they will prevent you from this step because reapplying is cheaper than starting a complete legal case against the Home office.
Final thoughts
We know that the whole process of collecting visa documents can be tedious and even make you think about giving up on the idea. But don’t forget that many who have met the conditions have been living in the UK for a long time and are taking advantage of all the possible benefits that come with the visa and residency. So don’t be afraid to apply again if you’ve been rejected once.
The process may tire you out and demotivate you, but for now, it is the only way for your partner to legally reside with you in the UK, and even deny you the right to marry there.
Of course, apply all the tips that we have listed for you because this article covers the process of what to do after receiving a negative response from the Home office. It is up to you to be brave and patient and take the time to work on the application according to the institution’s requirements.
In this way, you avoid problems with the immigration departments, but also manage to exercise your rights on the territory of the UK. It’s just important to know where to start and when to involve legal counsel in the process.