Visitor Visa Refused? What You Can Do Next

Receiving a UK visitor visa refusal can be upsetting, particularly when you planned to attend an important family event, visit loved ones, take a holiday or travel for a legitimate business reason.

You may have submitted bank statements, an invitation letter and evidence of accommodation, yet the decision still says the Entry Clearance Officer is not satisfied that you are a genuine visitor.

A refusal does not necessarily mean that you can never visit the UK. It does, however, mean that you need to understand exactly why the application failed before deciding what to do next.

For most applicants, the practical options are:

Submit a carefully prepared fresh application.
Make an appeal, but only where a legal right of appeal exists.
Request an administrative review, but only where the decision letter confirms eligibility.
Challenge an unlawful decision through a pre-action protocol letter or judicial review.
Obtain advice from a visitor visa refusal solicitor before taking further action.

Most ordinary visitor visa refusals do not carry a right of appeal or administrative review. A right of appeal may arise where the application included a genuine human rights claim and that claim was refused. The refusal letter should state whether any appeal or review right exists.

The correct option depends on the wording of the refusal, the evidence originally submitted and whether the decision was simply unfavourable or legally flawed.

What should you do after a UK visitor visa refusal?

The first thing you should do is read the refusal letter carefully.

Do not submit another application immediately using the same form, documents and explanation. Unless the weaknesses identified by the decision-maker have been corrected, the next application could be refused for the same reasons.

Your immediate steps should normally be:

Read every refusal paragraph separately.
Identify the Immigration Rules relied upon.
obtain a copy of the application form and all submitted documents.
Compare the refusal reasons with the evidence you provided.
Check whether any evidence was missing, inconsistent or misunderstood.
Confirm whether the letter provides a right of appeal or administrative review.
Decide whether a fresh application or legal challenge is more appropriate.
Prepare a detailed response to each refusal point.

A refusal letter can contain several different concerns. For example, the decision-maker might accept that your sponsor can pay for the trip but remain unconvinced that you will leave the UK after your visit.

Providing more evidence of the sponsor’s income would not necessarily resolve that concern. You would need to address your own circumstances, commitments and reasons for returning to your country of residence.

This is why a refusal should be analysed point by point rather than treated as a general request for more paperwork.

What are the UK Standard Visitor visa requirements?

Under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules, an applicant must satisfy the decision-maker that they are a genuine visitor.

This broadly means showing that you:

Will leave the UK at the end of the proposed visit.
Will not use frequent or successive visits to make the UK your main home.
Are genuinely seeking entry for an activity permitted under the Visitor route.
Will not undertake prohibited activities, such as unauthorised work.
Have enough money to cover the reasonable costs of your visit without working or accessing public funds.

Where another person will pay for the visit, that person must normally have a genuine professional or personal relationship with the applicant, be legally present where relevant and be able and willing to provide the promised support.

A visitor visa application is therefore not decided solely by checking whether the applicant has a certain amount of money in a bank account.

The decision-maker examines the application as a whole. This may include the applicant’s:

Purpose of travel.
Employment or business circumstances.
Family responsibilities.
Financial position.
Previous travel history.
Immigration record.
Relationship with the UK sponsor.
Intended accommodation.
Length and cost of the visit.
Personal and economic ties outside the UK.
Answers given on the application form.

UKVI caseworker guidance requires decision-makers to assess the applicant’s credibility, intentions and overall circumstances on the balance of probabilities.

In simple terms, your application must present a believable and properly evidenced picture.

Common reasons for a UK visitor visa refusal

A UK visitor visa refusal can arise for many reasons. Some refusals concern missing evidence. Others result from inconsistencies, unexplained transactions or doubts about the applicant’s intentions.

Understanding the real reason for the refusal is essential before submitting another application.

1. UKVI is not satisfied that you are a genuine visitor

This is one of the most common refusal reasons.

The refusal letter may say that the decision-maker is not satisfied that you genuinely intend to visit the UK temporarily or that you will leave at the end of your stay.

This conclusion might be based on:

Limited employment or study commitments.
Few financial responsibilities in the country of residence.
Close family members living in the UK.
A proposed visit that appears unusually long.
Previous attempts to remain in the UK.
Inconsistencies in the applicant’s account.
A purpose of travel that does not fit the applicant’s circumstances.
Evidence suggesting an intention to work or live in the UK.

The Home Office’s caseworker guidance specifically refers to an applicant’s financial circumstances, family background, social position, economic ties and personal connections to their country of residence.

This does not mean that a person without property or formal employment cannot obtain a visitor visa. It means the application must explain their actual circumstances clearly and provide evidence that supports the explanation.

A retired parent, homemaker, student or financially dependent applicant may still be a genuine visitor. Their evidence will simply be different from that of a salaried employee.

2. Insufficient evidence of ties to your home country

Applicants often focus heavily on the UK sponsor while providing very little information about their own life outside the UK.

An invitation letter may establish why someone wants to visit. It does not automatically prove that they will return.

Evidence of ties may include:

Ongoing employment.
Approved annual leave.
Business ownership and operational responsibilities.
Current studies.
Dependent children or relatives.
A spouse remaining outside the UK.
Professional commitments.
Continuing financial obligations.
Long-term residence.
Scheduled work, education or medical commitments after the proposed visit.

Property ownership can support an application, but it should not be treated as conclusive evidence. Owning land or a house does not, by itself, prove that a person will return.

The application should show how the applicant’s employment, family, finances and responsibilities fit together.

3. Unexplained bank deposits

A large deposit made shortly before an application can raise concerns about whether the money genuinely belongs to the applicant.

For example, an applicant may declare a modest monthly salary but submit a bank statement containing a substantial recent credit with no explanation.

UKVI guidance says there should be a correlation between declared income, large deposits, financial support and the documents submitted. Bank statements should make the origin of relied-upon funds clear.

Where substantial funds have recently entered the account, the application may need evidence such as:

A sale agreement.
Salary or bonus documentation.
Dividend records.
Business invoices.
Inheritance documents.
Evidence of a family transfer.
A sponsor’s support letter.
Proof of the sender’s identity and relationship to the applicant.

Money should not be temporarily borrowed and presented as the applicant’s savings.

A carefully prepared application explains significant transactions rather than expecting the decision-maker to make assumptions.

4. The cost of the trip does not match the applicant’s finances

There is no single minimum bank balance that guarantees a UK visitor visa.

UKVI caseworker guidance confirms that there is no set level of funds that every visitor must hold. The decision-maker considers the likely cost of the visit and the applicant’s available resources.

A short family visit with free accommodation may cost much less than a three-week holiday involving hotels, domestic travel and expensive activities.

The decision-maker may question an application where:

The trip would consume most of the applicant’s savings.
The estimated cost appears unrealistic.
The applicant’s monthly income is inconsistent with the proposed expenditure.
The sponsor’s ability to support the visitor has not been demonstrated.
The applicant claims to be self-funding but the statements suggest otherwise.
Dependants and ongoing household expenses have been ignored.

The application should include a realistic budget covering flights, accommodation, food, transport and planned activities.

5. Inconsistencies between the application and supporting documents

Even a small inconsistency can affect the credibility of an application.

Common examples include:

Different travel dates in the application and invitation letter.
Different descriptions of who will pay for the trip.
Salary figures that do not match payslips or bank credits.
An applicant saying they have no relatives in the UK when relatives are listed elsewhere.
A sponsor describing the applicant as a cousin while another document describes them as a sibling.
Employment dates that conflict with tax or company records.
Different explanations of where the applicant will stay.

Home Office guidance identifies discrepancies between an applicant and sponsor as a possible reason for doubting whether the applicant is a genuine visitor.

Before submission, the application form, cover letter, sponsor letter and documentary evidence should be checked against each other.

6. The purpose of the visit is unclear

The applicant must explain the main reason for travelling to the UK.

A vague statement such as “tourism and meeting family” may be insufficient where the proposed visit is lengthy or the surrounding circumstances require further explanation.

Depending on the purpose, useful evidence may include:

A wedding invitation.
Birth or family relationship documents.
A graduation invitation.
A business meeting schedule.
Conference registration.
Medical appointment details.
A short travel itinerary.
Evidence of planned accommodation.
Details of the people the applicant intends to visit.

Visitors are not necessarily required to provide an elaborate day-by-day itinerary. However, UKVI normally expects the applicant to have a credible plan and be able to explain what they intend to do.

7. Excessive reliance on the UK sponsor

A financially secure UK sponsor can help with accommodation and travel costs, but sponsorship does not replace the genuine-visitor requirement.

The decision-maker still needs to assess the applicant’s intentions.

A sponsor may need to provide:

A signed invitation letter.
Evidence of immigration status in the UK.
Proof of address.
Evidence of the relationship.
Bank statements or income evidence where providing financial support.
Evidence that the accommodation is available.
An explanation of exactly which costs will be covered.

Third-party support is permitted where the relationship is genuine and the third party can provide the proposed support. However, the applicant must still satisfy all other requirements.

8. Poor travel or immigration history

Previous lawful travel can support an application, particularly where the applicant complied with the conditions of previous visas.

However, a lack of travel history should not automatically result in refusal. UKVI guidance says travel history must not be the only consideration and recognises that a first-time traveller must be assessed using other available evidence.

Concerns may arise where an applicant has:

Previously overstayed a visa.
Breached immigration conditions.
Been removed from another country.
Used deception in a previous application.
Failed to declare previous refusals.
Made frequent or successive UK visits suggesting de facto residence.
Previously remained much longer than originally stated.

Every previous refusal and immigration issue should be disclosed accurately.

Attempting to hide an earlier refusal can create a more serious problem than the refusal itself.

9. The proposed activity is not permitted

A Standard Visitor visa cannot normally be used to take employment, run a business in the UK, undertake a work placement or provide goods and services to the public.

Certain business, academic, creative and professional activities are permitted, but they must fall within the specific Visitor rules.

Where the documents suggest that the applicant intends to work rather than attend meetings or undertake another permitted activity, the application may be refused.

The application should clearly explain:

What the applicant will do.
Who they will meet.
Who employs and pays them.
How long the activity will last.
Why the activity is permitted under the Visitor route.
Why another immigration category is not required.

Appendix V prohibits general employment and business activity outside the permitted visitor provisions.

10. Documents were not translated properly

Documents not written in English or Welsh should be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified.

The translation should include:

Confirmation that it accurately translates the original.
The date of translation.
The translator’s full name.
The translator’s signature.
The translator’s contact details.

These requirements are set out in the official supporting-document guidance for visitors.

Sending untranslated employment letters, bank records or family documents may prevent the decision-maker from giving them proper weight.

Can you appeal a UK visitor visa refusal?

In most standard visitor visa cases, there is no automatic right to make a visit visa appeal.

Current appeal rights are generally attached to decisions refusing a protection claim or human rights claim, rather than every refusal under the Immigration Rules.

A visitor visa refusal may attract a right of appeal where the application made a properly particularised human rights claim and that claim was refused.

For example, human rights issues may potentially arise where a visit is connected to exceptional family circumstances. However, simply stating that a refusal interferes with family life does not automatically create a valid human rights claim.

The facts must be capable of engaging protected rights, and the claim must be properly explained.

The refusal letter should state whether there is a right of appeal.

Where an applicant outside the UK has a valid appeal right, the usual deadline is 28 days from receiving the decision letter. Different deadlines can apply in particular situations, so the decision notice must be checked immediately.

A visitor visa appeal may involve:

Preparing grounds of appeal.
Identifying the relevant human rights issues.
Gathering supporting evidence.
Preparing witness statements.
Responding to the Home Office review.
Presenting the case before the First-tier Tribunal.

An appeal should not be pursued merely because the applicant disagrees with the refusal. There must be a legal right of appeal and proper grounds on which to challenge the decision.

Can you request an administrative review?

An administrative review is not a general opportunity to submit better evidence after a visitor visa refusal.

It is a process through which an eligible applicant can ask the Home Office to review whether a caseworking error was made.

Most ordinary Standard Visitor visa refusals do not provide a right to administrative review. Home Office rights-of-appeal guidance states that where no human rights claim has been made in the relevant visitor context, the application should be refused without a right of appeal or administrative review.

Always check the final pages of the refusal notice.

Do not assume that an administrative review is available simply because information about reviews can be found online. The decision letter should confirm whether your particular decision is eligible.

Where a review right does exist, strict deadlines apply. A review is normally focused on caseworking errors, not on presenting a substantially different case.

Can you apply for the visitor visa again?

A fresh application is often the most appropriate response to an ordinary visitor visa refusal.

There is generally no standard cooling-off period under the Visitor rules requiring an applicant to wait a fixed number of months before applying again.

However, being legally able to reapply does not mean that submitting another application immediately is wise.

You should reapply only when:

Every refusal reason has been understood.
The relevant evidence has been obtained.
Financial transactions can be explained.
Inconsistencies have been corrected.
The purpose and duration of the visit are clear.
The applicant’s reasons for returning are properly demonstrated.
Any changes since the previous application can be evidenced.

A fresh application requires a new application form, a new fee and a complete set of supporting evidence.

The previous refusal must be disclosed.

The new application should not pretend that the earlier decision never happened. It should confront the refusal directly and explain how the concerns have been resolved.

How to prepare a stronger visitor visa reapplication

A successful reapplication is not about sending the largest possible bundle.

It is about sending relevant evidence that supports a coherent explanation.

Step 1: Create a refusal-response document

List every concern raised in the refusal letter.

Under each concern, record:

What the decision-maker said.
What evidence was previously provided.
Why that evidence may have been considered insufficient.
What new evidence is available.
What explanation should be included.

This creates a clear preparation plan.

Step 2: Review the original application form

Many applicants focus on the refusal letter but overlook mistakes in the original form.

Check:

Employment details.
Monthly income.
Monthly expenditure.
Savings.
Proposed travel dates.
Estimated trip cost.
Sponsor information.
Family members in the UK.
Previous refusals.
Travel history.
Accommodation details.
The purpose of the visit.

The new application should correct inaccurate information while explaining why the correction was required.

Silent changes can create further concerns.

Step 3: Prepare a clear legal cover letter

A cover letter can help organise the application.

It should normally explain:

The applicant’s personal background.
The exact purpose of travel.
The proposed dates and length of stay.
Who will pay for the trip.
Where the applicant will stay.
The applicant’s employment, business or study position.
Family and economic circumstances.
Reasons for returning.
Relevant travel history.
Each previous refusal reason.
The evidence now addressing those reasons.

The cover letter should not exaggerate the facts or make emotional claims unsupported by evidence.

Its purpose is to help the decision-maker understand the application.

Step 4: Evidence employment or business activity

A salaried employee may provide:

An employer letter.
Employment contract.
Recent payslips.
Bank statements showing salary credits.
Approved leave confirmation.
Evidence of the expected return-to-work date.

A business owner or self-employed applicant may provide:

Business registration.
Tax records.
Company bank statements.
Client invoices.
Contracts.
Evidence of staff or premises.
An explanation of who will manage the business during the visit.
Evidence of work scheduled after the applicant’s return.

Official visitor-document guidance identifies employer letters, educational confirmation, business registration and recent invoices as potentially useful evidence of circumstances outside the UK.

Step 5: Explain the finances properly

Your documents should show:

How much the trip will cost.
Who will pay each expense.
How the applicant’s funds were accumulated.
Whether income will continue during the visit.
What regular household commitments the applicant has.
Whether the proposed spending is reasonable.

There is no benefit in presenting a high bank balance if the source cannot be explained.

Consistency is more important than an artificially large closing balance.

Step 6: Demonstrate the purpose of the visit

The evidence will depend on why the applicant is travelling.

For a family visit, this may include:

An invitation letter.
Evidence of the relationship.
Details of the family occasion.
Sponsor identity and immigration status.
Accommodation evidence.
A realistic visit plan.

For tourism, this may include:

Proposed locations.
Accommodation arrangements.
A reasonable itinerary.
Evidence that the applicant can afford the trip.

For a business visit, it may include:

Correspondence between the organisations.
Meeting agendas.
Conference information.
Confirmation of the applicant’s overseas employment.
An explanation of why the activities are permitted for a visitor.

Step 7: Explain why the applicant will return

Avoid relying on a single statement such as “I promise to return.”

Use evidence to demonstrate:

Employment that will continue.
Business obligations.
Current education.
Immediate family responsibilities.
Financial commitments.
Professional duties.
Confirmed events after the trip.
A settled life in the country of residence.

The strongest explanation usually comes from several connected factors rather than one document.

Step 8: Check the entire application for consistency

Before submission, compare:

The online form.
Applicant cover letter.
Sponsor invitation.
Employer letter.
Bank statements.
Payslips.
Accommodation evidence.
Travel dates.
Supporting declarations.

Names, dates, figures and descriptions should align.

Where something appears unusual, explain it rather than leaving the decision-maker to guess.

When can a visitor visa refusal be challenged by judicial review?

Judicial review may be considered where there is no ordinary appeal right but the Home Office decision appears legally unlawful.

Judicial review is not a general appeal on the facts.

It considers the lawfulness of the decision-making process. Official guidance says judicial review should be used for decisions alleged to be unlawful, irrational or unreasonable according to the relevant legal tests—not merely because an applicant believes the outcome was wrong.

Possible issues may include:

The decision-maker failed to consider material evidence.
The refusal relied on a factual mistake.
The decision gave legally inadequate reasons.
The wrong Immigration Rule was applied.
The conclusion was arguably irrational.
A relevant policy was not followed.
Procedural fairness requirements were breached.

The first step is often a pre-action protocol letter explaining the legal errors and requesting that the Home Office reconsider or withdraw the decision.

The pre-action process is intended to identify the issues, exchange relevant information and potentially resolve the dispute before court proceedings begin.

Judicial review is specialist litigation and can involve costs risk.

A claim must be brought promptly. For immigration and asylum judicial-review applications in the Upper Tribunal, the official guidance states that the application must ordinarily be received no later than three months after the challenged decision.

Applicants should not wait until the end of that period before obtaining advice.

In many cases, a fresh application will be quicker and more proportionate. In others, particularly where a serious legal error could continue to affect future applications, a formal challenge may be appropriate.

Should you reapply or challenge the refusal?

The right strategy depends on what went wrong.

A fresh application may be more appropriate where:

Important documents were missing.
The applicant did not explain their finances.
The purpose of travel was unclear.
Home-country ties were poorly evidenced.
The sponsor’s evidence was incomplete.
There were avoidable inconsistencies.
The applicant’s circumstances have materially improved.
The refusal can be answered with better evidence.

An appeal may be appropriate where:

The refusal letter confirms an appeal right.
A genuine human rights claim was made and refused.
The appeal deadline has not passed.
There are properly arguable human rights grounds.

Judicial review may be appropriate where:

There is no adequate alternative remedy.
The refusal contains a material legal error.
Important evidence was ignored or misunderstood in an arguably unlawful way.
The decision-making process was procedurally unfair.
A fresh application would not adequately resolve the legal problem.

A visitor visa refusal solicitor can review the decision, the application form and the evidence before advising which route is proportionate.

For advice about UK immigration applications and refusals, visit the OS LAW immigration solicitors page.

Mistakes to avoid after a visitor visa refusal

Reapplying with the same documents

A repeated application with no meaningful changes is likely to raise the same concerns.

Ignoring the previous refusal

The new application should disclose and address it directly.

Moving money into the account without explanation

Recent deposits may create more doubts unless the source is evidenced.

Changing the story

Changing travel dates, sponsorship arrangements or employment information without explanation can damage credibility.

Submitting excessive irrelevant documents

A large bundle can make the important evidence harder to identify.

Depending entirely on the sponsor

A sponsor cannot guarantee approval. The applicant must still demonstrate that they are a genuine visitor.

Booking non-refundable travel

Official guidance warns that providing supporting documents does not guarantee success and applicants should bear this in mind when making bookings.

Using false or altered evidence

Never submit false bank statements, employment records, tax documents or relationship evidence.

False information can result in refusal and serious consequences for future immigration applications.

How can a visitor visa refusal solicitor help?

A solicitor can do more than add a cover letter to an existing document bundle.

A detailed refusal service may include:

Reviewing the refusal notice.
Checking the original application form.
Examining the evidence submitted to UKVI.
Identifying inconsistencies and evidential gaps.
Advising whether to reapply, appeal or consider judicial review.
Preparing a refusal-response strategy.
Advising on financial evidence.
Drafting legal representations.
Reviewing sponsor documents.
Checking permitted visitor activities.
Preparing appeal grounds where a right exists.
Drafting a pre-action protocol letter where appropriate.

The value of legal advice is often in identifying the issue that additional documents alone will not fix.

For example, if the refusal concerns the credibility of the applicant’s circumstances, another invitation letter may achieve very little. The reapplication must address the reasoning that led to the credibility finding.

Frequently asked questions about UK visitor visa refusals

Is a UK visitor visa refusal permanent?

No. A visitor visa refusal does not normally prevent you from making a future application.

However, the refusal will form part of your immigration history and should be disclosed in later applications.

A stronger application must address the previous reasons rather than simply resubmit the same evidence.

Can I appeal a visitor visa refusal?

Most ordinary visitor visa refusals do not carry a right of appeal.

A right may arise where a genuine human rights claim was made and refused. Your decision letter should state whether you can appeal.

How long do I have to make a visit visa appeal?

Where an applicant outside the UK has a valid right of appeal, the usual deadline is 28 days from receiving the decision.

Always follow the deadline and instructions in the refusal letter.

Can I reapply immediately after a visitor visa refusal?

There is generally no standard rule requiring you to wait for a fixed period before reapplying.

Nevertheless, an immediate application should not be submitted until the refusal reasons have been properly addressed.

Is there a limit on how many times I can apply?

There is no general fixed limit on the number of visitor visa applications a person may submit.

Repeated refusals can, however, make later applications more complicated, particularly where the same concerns remain unresolved.

How much money do I need for a UK visitor visa?

There is no universal minimum bank balance.

The funds should be sufficient for the realistic cost of your visit when considered alongside your income, savings, dependants and normal expenses. UKVI caseworker guidance confirms that no set level applies to every visitor.

Does a UK sponsor guarantee that the visa will be granted?

No.

A sponsor can provide accommodation and financial support, but the applicant must still satisfy the genuine-visitor and eligibility requirements.

Will a previous refusal affect my next application?

It will be considered as part of your immigration history, but it does not automatically mean that the next application will fail.

The impact depends on why the previous application was refused and how those concerns are addressed.

Can a first-time traveller obtain a UK visitor visa?

Yes.

A lack of travel history does not automatically mean that the applicant is not genuine. UKVI guidance requires the decision-maker to consider the applicant’s wider social and economic circumstances.

Can I ask UKVI to reconsider the refusal informally?

An ordinary overseas visitor visa refusal does not generally provide an informal reconsideration route.

The remedies available should be stated in the refusal letter. Depending on the circumstances, the appropriate response may be a fresh application, an appeal where a right exists or a legal challenge.

Can an MP overturn a visitor visa refusal?

An MP may raise enquiries in appropriate circumstances, but an MP cannot guarantee that a visa will be issued.

UKVI guidance states that third-party undertakings should not be accepted as evidence that a visitor will comply with their conditions.

Do I need an immigration solicitor to reapply?

You are not legally required to instruct a solicitor for every visitor visa application.

Professional advice may be particularly valuable where:

There have been multiple refusals.
The refusal alleges deception.
The finances are complex.
The applicant has adverse immigration history.
Human rights issues may arise.
The decision appears legally flawed.
A pre-action protocol letter or judicial review is being considered.

Can I submit new evidence in a visitor visa appeal?

The evidence and procedure will depend on the nature of the appeal and the issues before the Tribunal.

Because ordinary visitor refusals generally have no appeal right, the first question is whether the refusal letter grants a legal right of appeal.

Can I challenge the refusal because the decision-maker misunderstood my bank statement?

Possibly, but the correct route depends on the circumstances.

Where the original application failed to explain the transactions, a new application may be more suitable. Where clear evidence was provided and materially ignored or misrepresented, legal advice may be needed to determine whether the decision is challengeable.

Will UKVI contact me for missing documents?

Applicants should not assume that UKVI will request further information before making a decision.

The application should be complete, clear and properly evidenced when submitted.

Speak to a visitor visa refusal solicitor

A UK visitor visa refusal is disappointing, but it is not always the end of the process.

The most important step is to understand whether the application failed because of missing evidence, inconsistencies, credibility concerns or a legal error.

A carefully prepared fresh application may resolve the problem. In more complex cases, an appeal or judicial-review challenge may need to be considered.

OS LAW can review the refusal letter, examine the previous application and advise on the most appropriate next step.

To discuss your circumstances with a visitor visa refusal solicitor, contact OS LAW to arrange a consultation.

Every immigration case depends on its individual facts. Early advice can help you avoid repeating the same mistakes and ensure that the next step is based on the actual refusal reasons.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. UK immigration rules, policies and procedures can change. Advice should be obtained on the specific facts of your case before an application or legal challenge is submitted.