People making protection or human rights further submissions after a refused or withdrawn claim are affected by validity requirements in the Immigration Rules, which UK Visas and Immigration guidance reflects from 8 April 2026.
Key facts
- Who: People making protection or human rights based further submissions after a refused or withdrawn asylum or human rights claim, and their representatives
- From: 8 April 2026
- Source: Further submissions (accessible)
Replaces the previous version of the guidance.
UK Visas and Immigration has published version 12.0 of its guidance on further submissions, dated 8 April 2026. The only change listed is an update to "reflect validity requirements introduced to the Immigration Rules on 8 April 2026".
The guidance says paragraphs 353AA to 353AC of the Immigration Rules set out the validity requirements for further submissions, and that these include conditions that must be met for the submissions to be accepted. Paragraph 353 in Part 12 of the Rules sets out the circumstances in which further submissions will be considered and how to determine whether they amount to a fresh claim.
Protection grounds. The guidance says the person must be physically present in the UK and be a failed asylum seeker. That means someone whose asylum claim has been refused or withdrawn, including where it has been treated as withdrawn under paragraph 33C of the Rules. They must have no outstanding asylum or protection claim or appeal before the Secretary of State, the First Tier Tribunal, the Upper Tier Tribunal or any court on protection or human rights grounds.
A person making further submissions on protection grounds must generally attend an in-person appointment at one of the specified Service and Support Centres (SSCs). The Home Office operates an appointment-only system, and appointments are made through the Further Submissions Unit. The guidance gives examples of exceptions: a Foreign National Offender lodging further submissions in prison, and individuals in immigration detention.
The guidance also says that in exceptional circumstances protection further submissions may be accepted through local arrangements or remotely (by email or post). The claimant or their legal representative must provide supporting evidence and obtain prior agreement from the Further Submissions Unit.
Human rights grounds. Further submissions should generally be made by way of the most appropriate application form. A fee waiver may be available for a person who cannot afford to make an application. Where human rights matters are raised without an application, paragraph 353 still applies.
Invalid submissions. Further submissions that do not meet the validity requirements may be rejected as invalid and not considered. Where that is appropriate, the individual, and their immigration adviser where applicable, must be told that the submissions have not been considered. Protection submissions sent by post or email by someone who has not been permitted to send them remotely must be rejected as invalid without substantive consideration and returned to the sender, who is directed to lodge in person with the Further Submissions Unit.
What this means for applicants
Protection based further submissions must generally be made in person at an SSC, by appointment. The guidance gives examples of exceptions, including people in immigration detention and Foreign National Offenders lodging in prison. Lodging remotely in exceptional circumstances needs supporting evidence and prior agreement from the Further Submissions Unit. Protection submissions sent by post or email without permission are rejected as invalid and returned unconsidered.
Human rights based further submissions should generally be made by way of the most appropriate application form. Submissions that do not meet the validity requirements may be rejected as invalid.
Sources
- Further submissions (accessible), UK Visas and Immigration guidance, updated 8 April 2026