UK Immigration Rules Appendix SN: Service of Notices - Clarification of Service Methods and Deemed Receipt

Current rules

Immigration Rules Appendix SN details the methods for serving specific notices related to immigration applications and administrative reviews, and establishes presumptions about the date of receipt. Notices can be given by hand, fax, postal service, electronic mail, document exchange, or courier. If no specific correspondence address is provided, notices may be sent to the last-known or usual place of abode, study, or business. If service is not possible via these methods, the notice is deemed given on the day it is placed on file by the decision-maker, with a copy subsequently provided to the person if located. For persons under 18 without a representative, notice may be given to a parent, guardian, or responsible adult. A postal address outside the UK is not considered a correspondence address if the affected person is in the UK. Presumptions for the date of receipt are defined: for postal service within the UK, the second business day after sending (excluding the posting day); for postal service outside the UK, the 28th day after posting; and for fax, email, document exchange, or courier, the day it was sent. These presumptions apply unless proven otherwise.

Overview

The UK Immigration Rules Appendix SN, concerning the service of notices, outlines the precise methods and deemed dates of receipt for various immigration decisions. This appendix clarifies how notices regarding application invalidity, voidness, and administrative review outcomes must be served. It sets out specific timelines for when a notice is considered received, dependent on the delivery method and location, ensuring clarity for both decision-makers and affected individuals.

What changed in the latest version

This new appendix makes it clear and legally certain how important immigration decisions will be sent. This particularly applies to decisions about application validity and administrative review results. Applicants and their representatives must now know how notices can be sent and when they are considered received. This is because these dates affect deadlines for replies or further actions. If these rules are not followed, it could lead to missed deadlines. It could also mean an application is processed without the applicant knowing about a key notice. For example, an email notice is now considered received on the day it is sent. This could greatly shorten the time applicants have to reply compared to post.

Explained simply

Imagine you've sent in some important paperwork for moving to the UK, like applying for a visa or asking for a decision to be looked at again. This new rule is like the official rulebook for how the government sends you back important letters or emails about those applications. It clearly states how they can send it (like post, email, or even by hand) and, importantly, exactly when they consider you to have received it. This means you need to keep your contact details updated and check your post and email regularly, because if you miss a letter, they'll usually assume you got it after a certain number of days.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v1Effective 3 Aug 2026PublishedMedium impact
   UK Immigration Rules Appendix SN: Service of Notices - Clarification of Service Methods and Deemed Receipt

   The United Kingdom has a new set of Immigration Rules, called Appendix SN. These rules explain how the Home Office will send certain immigration notices. This new appendix makes it clear how the Home Office will tell people about decisions. These decisions include when an application for permission to enter the UK, or to stay in the UK, is not valid. They also cover when an administrative review outcome is sent. Appendix SN lists different ways to send notices. These ways include hand delivery, post, email, and courier. It also states the addresses to use if you have not given specific contact details. Importantly, it sets specific dates when a notice is considered received. For example, a notice sent by post within the UK is considered received on the second business day. A notice sent by post from outside the UK is considered received on the 28th day. These dates apply unless someone can prove otherwise.