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Entry Clearance Guidance - General Instructions

Wording for refusals

[Last updated 12 June 2009]

This document gives examples of refusal wordings for refusal notices by category.  Each entry includes the relevant paragraph of the current rules and whether there is a full or limited right of appeal.
 
Refusal wordings for right of abode and certificates of entitlement applications can be found in ROA20.
  
Guidance on writing and service a refusal notice can be found at RFL4.

Where the decision to refuse has been taken by UKBA headquarters e.g. referred applications, the refusal wording should indicate that it has been issued from the Secretary of State by inserting "the Secretary of State" instead of "I" in the wording. e.g. "... the Secretary of State is not satisfied that you..."

Sections 1-5

1. RETURNING RESIDENTS
2. VISITORS - GENERAL
3. VISITORS IN TRANSIT
4. VISITORS SEEKING ENTRY FOR PRIVATE MEDICAL TREATMENT
5. STUDENTS

Sections 6-10

6. STUDENT NURSES
7. POST-GRADUATE DOCTORS AND DENTISTS
8. SPOUSES OF STUDENTS
9. CHILDREN OF STUDENTS
10. PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

Sections 11-15

11. "AU PAIR" PLACEMENTS
Rules deleted. No new applications accepted from 27.11.08
12. WORKING HOLIDAY MAKERS
Rules deleted. No new applications accepted from 27.11.08
13. CHILDREN OF WORKING HOLIDAY-MAKERS
Rules deleted. No new applications accepted from 27.11.08
14. SEASONAL WORKER AT AGRICULTURAL CAMPS
15. TEACHERS/LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS UNDER APPROVED SCHEMES
Rules deleted. No new applications accepted from 27.11.08

Sections 16-20

16. DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT APPROVED TRAINING OR WORK EXPERIENCE (TWES)
Rules deleted
17. SPOUSES OF TEACHERS/LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS/PERSONS ON TWES
Rules deleted
18. CHILDREN OF A TEACHER/LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS/PERSONS ON TWES
Rules deleted
19. WORK PERMIT EMPLOYMENT
No new applications accepted for work permits after 27.11.08
20. REPRESENTATIVES OF OVERSEAS NEWSPAPERS, NWES AGENCIES AND BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS
Rules for entry clearance/leave to enter applications deleted. No new applications accepted after 27.11.08

Sections 21-25

21. SOLE REPRESENTATIVES
22. DOMESTIC WORKERS IN DIPLOMATIC OR PRIVATE HOUSEHOLDS
23. OVERSEAS GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
Rules deleted for entry clearance/leave to enter applications. No new applications accepted after 27.11.08
24. MINISTERS OF RELIGION/MISSIONARIES/MEMBERS OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS
Rules deleted for entry clearance/leave to enter applications. No new applications accepted after 27.11.08
25. AIRPORT BASED OPERATIONAL GROUND STAFF OF OVERSEAS OWNED AIRLINES
Rules deleted for entry clearance/leave to enter applications. No new applications accepted after 27.11.08

Sections 26-30

26. UK ANCESTRY
27. SPOUSES OF WORK PERMIT HOLDERS / REPRESENTATIVES OF OVERSEAS NEWSPAPERS, NEW AGENCIES AND BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS / SOLE REPRESENTATIVES / PRIVATE SERVANTS IN DIPLOMATIC HOUSEHOLDS / OVERSEAS GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES / MINISTERS OF RELIGION / MISSIONARIES / MEMBERS OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS / AIRPORT BASED OPERATIONAL GROUND STAFF OF OVERSEAS OWNED AIRLINES / PERSONS ADMITTED ON GROUNDS OF UK ANCESTRY
Some of these routes have now been closed. See Chapter 17 & Chapter 18 of ECG for further information.
28. CHILDREN OF WORK PERMIT HOLDERS / REPRESENTATIVES OF OVERSEAS NEWSPAPERS, NEW AGENCIES AND BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS / SOLE REPRESENTATIVES / PRIVATE SERVANTS IN DIPLOMATIC HOUSEHOLDS / OVERSEAS GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES / MINISTERS OF RELIGION/MISSIONARIES/MEMBERS OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS/AIRPORT BASED OPERATIONAL GROUND STAFF OF OVERSEAS OWNED AIRLINES/PERSONS ADMITTED ON GROUNDS OF UK ANCESTRY
SPOUSES OF WORK PERMIT HOLDERS /REPRESENTATIVES OF OVERSEAS NEWSPAPERS, NEW AGENCIES AND BROADCASTINGORGANISATIONS / SOLE REPRESENTATIVES / PRIVATE SERVANTS IN DIPLOMATICHOUSEHOLDS / OVERSEAS GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES / MINISTERS OF RELIGION /MISSIONARIES / MEMBERS OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS / AIRPORT BASED OPERATIONALGROUND STAFF OF OVERSEAS OWNED AIRLINES / PERSONS ADMITTED ON GROUNDSOF UK ANCESTRY
Some of these routes have now been closed. See Chapter 17 & Chapter 18 of ECG for further information.
29. PERSONS SEEKING ENTRY CLEARANCE FOR BUSINESS OR SELF- EMPLOYMENT. AS INVESTORS, WRITERS, COMPOSERS OR ARTISTS PERSONS INTENDING TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN BUSINESS.
Rules deleted on 30.06.08. Replaced by Points Based System Tier 1.
30. PERSON INTENDING TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN BUSINESS UNDER PROVISIONS OF EC ASSOCIATION AGREEMENTS
Rules deleted for leave to enter and entry clearance applications.

Sections 31-35

31. INVESTORS
Rules deleted on 30.06.08. Replaced by Points Based System Tier 1
32. WRITERS, COMPOSERS AND ARTISTS
Rules deleted on 30.06.08. Replaced by Points Based System Tier 1
33. SPOUSES OF BUSINESSMEN, INVESTORS, WRITERS, COMPOSERS OR ARTISTS
Rules deleted on 30.06.08
34. CHILDREN OF BUSINESSMEN, INVESTORS, WRITERS, COMPOSERS OR ARTISTS
Rules deleted on 30.06.08
35. PERSONS EXCERCISING RIGHTS OF ACCESS TO CHILDREN RESIDENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Sections 36-40

36. HOLDERS OF SPECIAL VOUCHERS 
37. SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF SPECIAL VOUCHER HOLDERS 
38. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING GRADUATES SCHEME
Rules deleted on 30.06.08. Replaced by Tier 1
39. RETIRED PERSONS OF INDEPENDENT MEANS
Rules deleted. No new applications will be accepted from 27.11.08
40. SPOUSES OF RETIRED PERSONS OF INDEPENDENT MEANS
Rules deleted. No new applications will be accepted from 27.11.08

Sections 41-47

41. CHILDREN OF RETIRED PERSONS OF INDEPENDENT MEANS
Rules deleted
42. SPOUSES/CIVIL PARTNERS 
43. FIANCE(E)S/PROPOSED CIVIL PARTNERS 
44.  UNMARRIED/SAME-SEX PARTNERS (where sponsor present and settled or is to be admitted for settlement)
45.  UMNARRIED/SAME SEX PARTNERS (where sponsor has limited leave to enter or remain in the UK under paragraphs 128-193, 200-239 or 263-270) 
46. CHILDREN: SEEKING ENTRY CLEARANCE FOR SETTLEMENT ON ENTRY
47. CHILDREN SEEKING LIMITED LEAVE ON ENTRY WITH A VIEW TO SETTLEMENT

Sections 48-52 

48. CHILDREN BORN IN UK WHO ARE NOT BRITISH CITIZENS
49. ADOPTED CHILDREN: SEEKING ENTRY CLEARANCE FOR SETTLEMENT ON ENTRY
50. PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND OTHER DEPENDENT RELATIVES OF PERSONS PRESENT IN AND SETTLED IN THE UK
51. MANDATORY GROUNDS FOR REFUSAL OF ENTRY CLEARANCE
52.

DISCRETIONARY GROUNDS FOR REFUSAL OF ENTRY CLEARANCE

Sections 53 - 54

53. PARTNERS OF PBS: TIER 1
54. CHILDREN OF PBS: TIER 1


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