Master prompt
UK refusal letter analyzer — decode + recommend 4-track strategy
Decodes any UK refusal letter (Skilled Worker / Student / Appendix FM / Visitor) into specific Immigration Rules paragraphs and recommends 4-track strategy.
UKRefusal analyzerCross-serviceStrategy4-track
Analyse the UK refusal letter for [CLIENT_NAME] ([VISA_TYPE]). UKVI refusal letters reference Immigration Rules paragraphs but often use templated language. Decode the actual basis for refusal, infer the underlying caseworking, and recommend a 4-track strategy.
REFUSAL LETTER:
"""
[REFUSAL_LETTER]
"""
APPLICANT PROFILE:
[APPLICANT_PROFILE]
§1 — DECODE REFUSAL GROUNDS (150-180 words)
Identify each specific basis cited:
(a) Immigration Rules paragraphs referenced (e.g. Appendix Skilled Worker SW 8.1, Appendix FM EX.1, Part 9 paragraph 9.7.1)
(b) The implicit officer reasoning behind each ground
(c) Whether the ground is mandatory or discretionary
(d) Whether the ground is points-based / suitability / human rights
Common UK refusal grounds + decoding:
▪ "Insufficient maintenance" → Appendix Finance + Appendix Skilled Worker SW 7 / Appendix Student ST 22 — 28-day rule failure
▪ "Genuine Student" → Appendix Student ST 11 — credibility concerns
▪ "Genuine vacancy" → Appendix Skilled Worker SW 4.2 — sponsor / role concerns
▪ "Sponsor licence not in good standing" → sponsor downgrade / suspension
▪ "Insurmountable obstacles" → Appendix FM EX.1(b) — Article 8 partner case
▪ "Section 9 false representation" → 10-year ban (Part 9, paragraph 9.7.1)
▪ "Criminal record" → Part 9 paragraph 9.1 / 9.4 — suitability
▪ "Continuous residence" → Appendix CR — 180-day rule breach
▪ "Adequate maintenance" → Appendix FM with Mahad framework
§2 — IDENTIFY THE OPERATIVE GROUND (100-120 words)
Often multiple grounds cited; identify the primary basis for refusal.
For each ground, note:
▪ Is this a mandatory refusal ground (cannot be overcome)?
▪ Is this a discretionary ground (subject to officer judgement)?
▪ Is the underlying fact contested?
▪ Is the underlying fact accepted but interpretation contested?
▪ Is the ground capable of remediation by new evidence?
Example:
▪ "Insufficient evidence of English language" — discretionary, remediable by new evidence
▪ "Section 9 false representation" — mandatory, requires Article 8 / JR challenge
▪ "Sponsor licence suspended" — sponsor-side issue, applicant cannot fix
▪ "Insurmountable obstacles not shown" — discretionary, requires Article 8 framework
§3 — FOUR-TRACK STRATEGY (300-400 words)
Track A — ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW (AR):
▪ For PBS refusals (Skilled Worker / Student / GBM etc.) with casework error
▪ Filing window: 14 days (in-country) / 28 days (out-of-country)
▪ Fee: GBP 80
▪ Decision: 28 days standard
▪ Success: 30-40% where genuine casework error
▪ Best for: officer ignored evidence; wrong rule applied; mathematical / clerical error
Track B — TRIBUNAL APPEAL (FTT-IAC):
▪ For refusals with appeal right under s.82 NIAA 2002 (Article 8, refugee, EUSS, deportation)
▪ Filing window: 14 days (in-country) / 28 days (out-of-country)
▪ Fee: GBP 140 paper / GBP 80 oral
▪ Decision: 6-12 months to hearing
▪ Success: 25-50% depending on case strength
▪ Best for: Article 8 family/private life; Refugee claim; EU Settlement Scheme rejection
Track C — JUDICIAL REVIEW (UTIAC / Admin Court):
▪ For decisions with error of law or procedural unfairness
▪ Filing window: 3 months (CPR 54.5)
▪ Pre-Action Protocol: 14 days response from Home Office
▪ Fee: GBP 154 + counsel costs
▪ Decision: 6-12 months
▪ Success: 25-35% leave grant rate
▪ Best for: clear legal error; procedural unfairness; Wednesbury unreasonableness
Track D — FRESH APPLICATION:
▪ For most refusals where new evidence available
▪ Cost: standard application fee + IHS
▪ Decision: standard processing time
▪ Success: depends on remedied gap
▪ Best for: new evidence not previously submitted; sponsor change; threshold met
▪ DO NOT pursue if 10-year ban / Section 9 finding (premature reapplication = harm)
§4 — RECOMMENDED PRIMARY TRACK (120-150 words)
Based on refusal grounds + applicant profile:
Primary recommendation: [Track A / B / C / D]
Justification: [based on facts]
Common decision matrix:
▪ PBS refusal + casework error visible → Track A (AR)
▪ Family / partner / human rights refusal → Track B (FTT-IAC)
▪ AR denied + clear legal error → Track C (UTIAC JR)
▪ New evidence available + no mandatory ban → Track D (fresh)
Parallel tracks (do not pursue all simultaneously):
▪ Track A + Track D if AR fails, fresh application as backup
▪ Track B + JR (after Tribunal decision) — sequential
▪ AR alone if straightforward; FTT or JR if more complex
§5 — IMMEDIATE 7-DAY CHECKLIST (60-80 words)
□ Calendar AR / Tribunal / JR deadlines (HARD STOPS)
□ Identify which evidence in original submission was overlooked
□ Begin collecting new evidence per refusal grounds
□ Engage OISC/IAA Level 3 adviser or immigration solicitor
□ Cost estimate from solicitor for chosen track
□ Identify any prior refusals / criminal records / civil debts
□ Decide primary track within 7 days; do not delay
§6 — SUBSEQUENT REFUSAL DISCLOSURE (60-80 words)
For any new UK application or any other country application:
▪ Prior UK refusal MUST be disclosed
▪ Failure = Section 9 / equivalent misrepresentation
▪ Disclosure obligations:
- UK: all visa applications + all UK applications
- Canada: IRCC checks history
- Australia: all visas
- Schengen: all visas
- US: questioned on travel history
§7 — POST-REFUSAL RECOVERY STRATEGY (60-80 words)
Standard recovery framework:
▪ ATIP-equivalent: Subject Access Request (SAR) under Data Protection Act 2018 — free; 30 days; provides full file
▪ Verify all dates + facts in refusal
▪ Identify procedural fairness gaps
▪ Build evidence chest for chosen track
▪ Engage counsel + solicitor if not already
▪ Calendar all deadlines
End with: "DRAFT REFUSAL ANALYSIS — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. UK refusal recovery timelines are non-extendable (14-28 days for AR / Tribunal; 3 months for JR). Identify primary track within 7 days. Do not file premature fresh application if mandatory ban applies. Engage specialist counsel for Section 9 / Article 8 / Refugee / Long Residence cases."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt