If the worst should happen...

Impatiently waiting for that fateful e-mail, and while I'm waiting a whole bunch of scenarios are going through my mind.  Everything I need to do if I'm approved, people I want to see before I move, etc.

But...

Let's say the visa application is denied for some reason - what is the waiting period for how long until I could re-apply?  I know I'd have to get new financial statements that would be current and go rob a bank to get the money (joking!), but apart from that would I be able to apply straight away?

And what about visiting?  If the hypothetical denial came before Christmas, I'd want to fly out to be with my wife for Christmas like we've been hoping all year - albeit under very different circumstances than we hope for.  Would this be an option?  And what would I have to bring with me as evidence that I'm going to return home and not remain illegally in the UK?

If it is a refusal, there is no waiting period to reapply... if you can fix the reason for the refusal, you can reapply straight away... as soon as you are ready with the updated paperwork.

In regards to visiting, if you have a visa refusal you should apply for a visitor visa before attempting to enter the UK... this is because you are more likely to be refused entry if you just fly to the UK without a visitor visa.

For a visitor visa you need to show you will leave within 6 months, you have enough money for your trip, you have no intention of living in the UK and you have ties to the US to return to (job, home, family etc.). Since you will have just been refused a visa to live permanently in the UK with your spouse, it might be difficult to prove you have no intention of living in the UK!




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I got my refusal on a Friday, my husband who was already in England sent me documents containing sponsor letter, appendix 2, tax returns, and pictures via DHL on Monday, I swung by the bank on Tuesday for updated bank statements, did the online application on Tuesday, put together relationship proof and typed letter stating what proof I had gathered, had biometric appointment set for the following Monday, but went in 4 days sooner on Thursday where they accepted me as a walk in, and sent the whole new package to Sheffield exactly 6 days after receiving the refusal.  I only spent one day wallowing, I just wanted to get on with it.

We were successful, but I will say, even though I worked it rapidly I was very very careful.

OK, thank y'all for your replies.  It's a weird place to be in.  You wait for something for so long (nearly 4 years in my case), and you're at the last hurdle.  You're tired and weary, but you've jumped as high as you can and you're just hoping it's enough to get over it and cross the finish line.  I also like to have a "plan B" in place, so it's good to know that there's not a restriction on re-applying.

It also sounds like it may not be worth trying to travel to the UK for Christmas immediately after a refusal, even on a visitors' visa.  I could show them proof of employment and all the rest of it here in America, but they could still think I'd stay because my wife is there.  The only thing worse than not seeing her on Christmas would be to spend money on a flight to get there, only to arrive at Heathrow and be turned back.  No thanks!

We all understand that here. Even if you know you have crossed every T and dotted all the I, you still can’t believe it’s happening. But it will!

I’ve been here for nearly 7 months now(actually am now back in America with my Brit for thanksgiving!) and I still feel lucky every day! Keep the faith. Like Katoo said you pick yourself up if something happens and everyone will be here to help make sure next time it’s a yes

It also sounds like it may not be worth trying to travel to the UK for Christmas immediately after a refusal, even on a visitors' visa.  I could show them proof of employment and all the rest of it here in America, but they could still think I'd stay because my wife is there.  The only thing worse than not seeing her on Christmas would be to spend money on a flight to get there, only to arrive at Heathrow and be turned back.  No thanks!

Keep in mind that the only destination which would be affected by a refusal of a UK visa would be the UK. You would still have the option of meeting up anywhere else in the world (including Europe and the US). It might not be ideal and a last minute trip around the holidays might be pricey, but it's an option.

If you do go to the UK after a refusal, a visitor visa is best to have, but without it, you should bring lots of proof that you know the rules and that you'll leave the UK at the end of your planned stay. Not ideal since they can still turn you away, but it's a plan others have been successful with.

You could also do a combo of those. Fly in to Europe and get to the UK on a separate (cheaper) flight or train. You could fly into Paris and then Eurostar it to London. If you were refused on entry to the UK, they'd only bounce you to Paris. Of course, then you'd be stuck in Paris, but if you a backup plan somewhere in Europe, it's something to consider. I'm not suggesting anything illegal, this just lessens your gamble. A backup plan would be good to have, though, especially around the holidays.

Fingers crossed you don't need to worry about what to do in case of a refusal.

Keep in mind that the only destination which would be affected by a refusal of a UK visa would be the UK.

Don't forget the Repubic of Ireland too, as that is part of the CTA (Common Travel Area). The UK government announcerd that RoI and the UK are now share immigratation information. RoI was being used as a backdoor to enter the UK.

You could also do a combo of those. Fly in to Europe and get to the UK on a separate (cheaper) flight or train. You could fly into Paris and then Eurostar it to London. If you were refused on entry to the UK, they'd only bounce you to Paris. Of course, then you'd be stuck in Paris, but if you a backup plan somewhere in Europe, it's something to consider. I'm not suggesting anything illegal, this just lessens your gamble.

Using the Eurostar or ferry from the EU mainland, used to be known on the immigration forums as being an easy way to get into the UK, but that backdoor has been shut too. Someone  from outside the EU flying to the EU mainland and then trying to enter the UK via an EU country, is going to be closely looked at by the UK border officers.


If you are refused a visa to live in the UK and then want to enter the UK as a visitor, you really need to apply for a visitor visa. Or you can gamble and arrive without one and see if they will let you enter, but that decision will be made by the border officer.

All good advice. But hopefully you don't need it lvjeremylv! 

You could also do a combo of those. Fly in to Europe and get to the UK on a separate (cheaper) flight or train. You could fly into Paris and then Eurostar it to London. If you were refused on entry to the UK, they'd only bounce you to Paris. Of course, then you'd be stuck in Paris, but if you a backup plan somewhere in Europe, it's something to consider. I'm not suggesting anything illegal, this just lessens your gamble.

Using the Eurostar or ferry from the EU mainland, used to be known on the immigration forums as being an easy way to get into the UK, but that backdoor has been shut too. Someone  from outside the EU flying to the EU mainland and then trying to enter the UK via an EU country, is going to be closely looked at by the UK border officers.

I'm definitely not advocating entering illegally or going through a back door, but it might be better to be bounced to another EU country than back to the US. The same prep would stand as far as entering with documents showing you know the rules and you plan to leave and those would be examined whether you fly straight from the US or arrive from within Europe, but if you arrived from Europe and were refused entry, you'd only be sent back to the country to came from, not your home country (as far as I know).

Hopefully this isn't something the OP needs to worry about and their visa is approved.