Immigration Corner | The process of cancelling an application

Dear Mr Bassie,

I have made an application for a visa to go to the United Kingdom. Is it possible to cancel the application once it has been made? I really need to know.

Thanks in advance.

J.G.

Dear J.G.,

Persons can cancel their visa, immigration or citizenship applications. They can ask to cancel, that is, withdraw an application for a visa, visa extension, or citizenship. How a person cancels an application depends on where the application was made.

A person who has applied from outside of the United Kingdom should contact United Kingdom Visa and Immigration (UKVI) centre in the country where the application was made to find out how to cancel an application. Persons can contact the UKVI centre from inside or outside of the UK. Please note that contact centre staff cannot give advice about personal circumstances and that an applicant can only get their fee refunded if the application has not been processed yet.

If the application was made in the UK, the applicant would need to cancel the application using the online form - request for return of documents and withdrawal of application.

This form is used to withdraw applications made in the UK or to ask for documents to be returned.

Persons cannot use this form if:

- They want to enquire about the progress of an application.

- They applied for a visa from outside the UK. As stated before, those persons must contact the visa application centre where the application was made. The contact details can be obtained using or going to the visa application centre.

- They applied for asylum in the UK. Those persons should contact their case owner or the Voluntary Returns Service if the application has been refused.

- They have been notified that their application has been refused and they do not hold valid leave to be in the UK. Those persons should follow the instructions on their refusal notice or contact the Voluntary Returns Service on 0300 0040202 or https://www.gov.uk/return-home-voluntarily/who-can-get-help.

- Their documents have been lost in the post. Those persons should contact the courier concerned, directly.

 

Return of documents

 

The UKVI has stated that they aim to return persons' documents within 10 working day, although this may not be possible in certain circumstances.

It should be noted that the return of persons' documents may take more than 10 working days if:

- They have requested their documents within 10 working days from the date the applications were submitted.

- UKVI is unable to identify the application from the information provided in the form.

- UKVI is unable to identify which documents are required from the information provided in the form.

- UKVI needs to contact the applicant and is unable to do so using the details provided in the form.

- UKVI needs to undertake further checks on the application or documentation.

- The address provided on the form does not match the address on the records.

- UKVI, at the time, is exceptionally busy and as a result it will take longer for documents to be returned.

The UKVI may refuse to return persons documents if:

- They have refused the application.

- There is an outstanding criminal prosecution against the applicant.

- If the applicant has applied for citizenship; that person's Knowledge of Life certificates will not be returned if the application is successful.

Please note that applicants will not get their fee refunded if they cancel applications that were made in the UK. Also, it is sometimes possible to get the passport or other documents returned without withdrawing the application - applicants will be told whether this is possible when filling in the form. Persons should be aware that they may lose their permission to stay in the K if the application is cancelled. Further, applicants should be aware that they cannot stop the cancellation once it has been received by the Home Office.

- John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email:lawbassie@yahoo.com