Key Points
- Identify the specific concerns in the refusal letter.
- Answer each concern directly with evidence and explanation.
- Witness evidence from both partners carries weight on appeal.
- Unexplained inconsistencies do more damage than thin evidence.
What triggers these refusals
- Little evidence of contact or time spent together
- A short period between meeting and marrying, with no explanation
- Inconsistent answers between the form, the documents or an interview
- Previous immigration problems for either partner
- A marriage certificate that could not be verified
- Doubt about whether an earlier marriage had ended
Answering the concerns
Take each point in the refusal letter in turn. Where the decision maker misunderstood something, say so and show the document that proves it. Where the evidence was thin, add to it. Where there is an unusual feature, such as a quick marriage or long separation, explain the background plainly.
Appeal or new application?
Credibility is often best addressed in front of a judge, where both of you can give evidence and be heard. A new application can work where the gap was simply missing documents.
A finding that a relationship is not genuine stays on the record and will be seen in later applications, so it should be dealt with directly.
Official Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. The rules and figures are set by the Home Office and can change.