UK is one of the most preferred destinations for international students who want to study abroad, due to the fact that it contains the best universities and modern infrastructures, as well as high-level teaching stuff. On the other hand, the visa application for UK is one of the most strict and rigorous processes, which induces that many visa applications for study in Britain are being rejected. If you are a student planning to pursue higher studies within a UK university, you need to apply for a UK student visa. Applying for a student visa can be intimidating for most students.
Incomplete application form and Poor academic records
The most important document for the students applying for the UK Student Visa is UK Student Visa Application Form. A lot of times, students provide inaccurate information which becomes one of the student visa rejection reasons for UK. The visa application form can be a complex document for the first time. Students may be tempted to misinterpret questions. Students are unable to match such standards leading to the cancellation of their UK student visas. The student visa could also be rejected if the visa issuing officers feel the student would not be able to match with the current education system or the student could experience an English barrier in the UK.
Apply for Your Visa as Early as Possible
If your plan is to apply for a UK student visa in the summers, know it’s one of the busiest times of the year. Keep in mind that it takes time to process a student visa application. In some cases, you’ll have to wait for a decision within three weeks.
Sufficient Funds
This interactive maintenance funds calculator will help you determine, how much money do you need to show in your bank account as your maintenance funds before you apply for your student visa .You will normally need to pay a deposit of £4,000 towards your tuition fees in order to be issued with a CAS. You can deduct this £4,000 plus any extra fees you have paid towards your tuition fees (if applicable) from the total amount you need to show for your fees. Any payments you have made towards your course fees must be stated on your CAS.
Some applicants are not required to pay a CAS deposit. For information about the CAS deposit and to check if you need to pay, visit the International Student Deposits page.
For example, if you are applying for a visa to study a 1-year Master’s course and:
- Your fees are £14,000
- You have paid the £4,000 deposit plus an extra £2,000 towards your fees
- Your CAS states: Course Fees for the Year: £14,000, Course Fees Paid so far: £6,000
- Your remaining course fee is £8,000
- You must have £8,000 in your account or your parent(s)’ account for your tuition fees in addition to the funds for your living costs.
How much money you will need depends on where you’re studying? A general guide, you will require £1334 per month for courses in London and around £1023 per month for courses outside of London. It is essential to make sure you have enough money to last through your first academic year, i.e., 9 months. It’s noted that ‘in London’ refers to not only the city of London but also the 12 boroughs of London.
You must ensure that these funds are available in the account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days from the 31 days before the submission of the application. This is mandatory unless you’ve received a student loan or financial sponsorship. In this case, you’ll need documentation from the loan or sponsorship company.
Well Decorated Documents Checklist
To avoid UK visa refusal, it’s essential to ensure that submiting all the required documents. Here, we have narrowed down the needed documents you will require:
- Passport or other travel documentation
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Financial documents and proof of income
- Parental or legal guardian’s consent (for those under 18)
- Proof of relationship to parent or legal guardian (for those under 18)
- TB test results
- Consent letter from a financial sponsor (if applicable)
- English language requirement documents
Before submitting your application, go over this list and ensure that all your documents have been translated into English. Always re-check your application before final submission.
Consider Health Surcharge Costs
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee levied on the majority of UK visa applications. The IHS is on top of other Home Office immigration fees and designed to land in a different government pocket. Also known as the NHS surcharge, If you are visiting the UK as a non-EEA national, you must pay the health surcharge if your stay is going to be longer than six months. This depends on whether you’re applying alone, also, how long you’re planning to stay in the UK for, where you’re staying, and a few other factors. To make ensure that you pay the right amount, it’s best to visit the webpage to calculate your exact health surcharge. If you’re a non-EEA national, you have to make sure to pay the surcharge when you’re applying for your visa to avoid delays or UK student visa rejection.
Pass Your Credibility Interviews
In the past, UK universities have seen individuals posing as students come to the UK intending to work rather than study. Upon arrival in the UK, they either fail to register at the university or register and don’t attend class. The UK credibility interview helps a university determine whether your intentions to study in the UK are genuine. The university’s admissions office will reach out to schedule an interview:
- After issuing a conditional offer
- Six months before the course start date, based on the university’s availability
If for some reason you cannot attend the interview, be sure to let the university know as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for it to be rescheduled. Credibility interviews are an important part of your visa process to avoid UK visa refusal. This will likely be a 20–30-minute interview between you and an admission representative and may involve questions related to your personal and financial history, your study and immigration history, post-study plans education history, and more.
Applying for a second CAS
A CAS can’t be used twice and if you decide to submit a fresh Tier 4 (General) student visa application, you must request the University for a brand-new CAS.
The Immigration & Compliance team will assess your eligibility for a new CAS, after you have emailed a refusal notice scan. During the assessment process you might be advised to send further evidence i.e., scans of fresh bank statements or related documentation. That will ensure that your second visa application should be successful. They will also consider whether you will have enough time to apply for a new visa and join the same session/intake.
What to do After UK Student Visa Rejection?
Reapply after the refusal of an entry clearance application
opt to reconsider, which has a limited scope and is possible for certain types of leave to remain applications.
Lodge an appeal if there is a right of appeal. For instance, an applicant can file an immigration appeal against a spouse visa refusal on human rights grounds. However, the immigration appeal time limit is 10, 5 and 28 days for in-country, detention, and entry clearance appeals.
File an Administrative Review (AR), which is mostly available after refusal of point-based (PBS), leave to remain and ILR application with no right of appeal. Therefore, it is not available to certain types of applicants such as visitors, spouse, family settlements etc. Moreover, an applicant needs to file an Administrative Review within 28 or 14 days after the UK visa refusal letter.
Opt for Judicial Review (JR) if there is no right of appeal and there are errors in the decision. Moreover, if an applicant has a right to an AR, then can only file a judicial review after AR. However, an applicant should file a judicial review promptly and, in any event, within 3 months of the UK visa refusal letter.
FAQs
Am I allowed to study in the UK or remain in the UK?
This depends on the reasons or factors addressed in the refusal letter received. If it is something that will result in another visa refusal then you may not be able to come and study in the UK. If you are already in the UK and your previous visa has already expired then you may have to return home. Your options will be discussed with the advisor or counsellor given to you for a query.
Will my visa fee be refunded?
No, the fee you have paid for your visa application is for it to be processed and a decision to be made, regardless of the decision itself. You will however be refunded the fee for the Immigration Health Surcharge if applicable.
Can I appeal against the decision?
In most cases, you will be given the right to an administrative review abbreviated also as AR. This is where you believe the decision to refuse your application was incorrect and can request that UKVI investigate the application again. You will be given instructions in your decision letter on applying for an administrative review.
What happens to my offer or course?
The home office shall take each situation on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the reasons for your visa refusal and your circumstances, your offer may be withdrawn or if you are already studying with any university in the UK, you may be withdrawn from the course. This can be discussed in detail if the situation were to arise.
Applied outside of the UK – you must complete the administrative review form included with your decision letter and post it to the address on the letter within 28 days of receiving your refusal notice. There is no fee for this service.
Applied inside the UK – you need to complete an online form within 14 days of receiving your refusal notice. This will cost £80 but this will be refunded if the decision to refuse your application is overturned.