Why a rejection may occur
A visa application can be rejected by the Home Office for a number of reasons. One of the more common reasons in sponsored worker cases is that the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was not available or had not been formally assigned at the point the application was assessed. Other reasons include incomplete documentation, an error in the application form, or a failure to meet one of the eligibility criteria.
The 14-day reapplication window
If your visa application is rejected, you generally have 14 calendar days from the date of the rejection decision to submit a new application. Submitting a new application within this window preserves your status in the UK — you will be protected under Section 3C leave while the new application is pending, meaning you can continue to remain in the UK lawfully and continue working.
The 14-day window runs from the date on the rejection letter, not the date you receive it. It is important to act quickly. Contact your Borderless case worker immediately on receiving a rejection so that next steps can be agreed without delay.
Errors in the original application
If you believe the original application contained an error — for example, a question was answered incorrectly — this should be flagged to the Borderless immigration team as a matter of urgency. The team can notify the Home Office of the error and reference it in the new application. Do not attempt to resubmit without first discussing the error with your case worker, as the same mistake could be repeated.
Travel during the 14-day window
You should not travel outside the UK during the 14-day window or while a replacement application is pending. Leaving the UK will end your Section 3C leave and you may not be able to re-enter.
Government guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grounds-for-refusal