UK Student Visa is important for all the students planning to move to UK for higher education! Do you know many students who get an admit to their dream university have to stay back in the country because their Visa application gets rejected? If you are someone who is yet to apply for UK Visa, then this blog is for you!
UK Student Visa Rejection Reasons
Many times, students wanting to study abroad in UK are not able to convert their dreams into a reality due to their UK Student Visa being rejected at the early stages due to many reasons.
Incomplete application form
The most important document for the students applying for a UK Student Visa is UK Student Visa Application Form. Most times, students may provide inaccurate information which becomes one of the reasons they get rejected. The visa application form can be a complex document for the first time. Students may be tempted to misinterpret questions. Consequently, the probability of making mistakes is high and should be avoided at all circumstances.
Poor academic records
Students looking to apply for universities within the UK must demonstrate their academic achievements to meet the exceptions of academic standards of higher education in the UK. Students who are unable to match such standards leading to the cancellation of their UK student visas. The student visa can also be rejected if the visa issuing officers feels the student would not be able to match with the current education system or the student could experience an English barrier in the UK.
Insufficient funds
Students going to the UK are required to be financially capable of for their living costs, tuition fees, and every other necessary expenditure while living in the country. By law, students are required to show funds through the documents that cover their tuition and living expenses for a year or for the whole duration of heir course.
The standard of living in the United Kingdom can be high, and your visa won’t get approved if you are not financially capable. Many times, these unclear details are taken lightly which then leads to their Visa rejection. Avoid making bulk money deposits as it could lead to suspicion and thus visa applications can be rejected. Make sure that the required amount has been saved in your or sponsor’s bank account for at least 28 continuous days before your submission of your visa application.
Incomplete paperwork
A lot of times, students underestimate the importance of supporting documents. Along with their Visa Application form, students are required to submit supporting documents to make their application stronger. Students should be careful to note that all the documents that are required by the agency must be submitted in order and attested if necessary. Documents must be in English and in accordance with the international standards. If the supporting documents are incomplete during the visa process, your chance of losing your visa is high.
Lack of interview skills
The student visa interview round is important. It plays the deciding factor in accepting your student visa application. Students should show confidence and charisma at the time of their interview. Students who go unprepared or provide hesitant answers are often miss out on the opportunity of receiving their student visas.
During interviews be careful at:
Expressing confidence and attractiveness
Preparing for the interview and avoiding hesitant answers
Preparing all information and being aware of all the details related to the country, university, city, and specialization they want to study
Gap years
Your gap years when you have not done anything productive, or you don’t have any evidence to show that you have done something productive may lead to visa rejection. Even if you have not done any work or studies you should go for something related to your work like an internship or any activity that can be counted as relevant and can be useful in your career ahead.
English Language proficiency
Students who are applying for the Tier 4 Student Visa to pursue their higher studies must be required to meet the English language criteria set out by the institution where they are seeking admission. They must provide proof by submitting test scores of IELTS or TOEFL. If the visa officer feels that you’re not proficient enough in the English language to survive in the UK, they will reject your visa application.
The Intention of Returning is Paramount
International students should always have a backup plan ready back in their home country. Students should remember they are only traveling on a student visa. So, you should show the visa officers that once the legal duration of stay is over you will return. Students who are unable to present a clear intention to return to their home country after their studies could lead to a cancellation of their visa application.
Criminal record found against the visa seeker
The Home Office is strict in documents’ scrutiny. At times visa applicants do not disclose their history of the criminal records if any or are not aware of it. Any differences, intentional or unintentional, could result in your visa rejection. You must show any history you may have to get your visa approved.
What to do After UK Student Visa Rejection?
After a UK student visa refusal, one cannot request for appeal or reconsideration. Therefore, the only available option after the rejection of a UK student visa is to reapply. When re-submitting a UK visa application, make sure that the form is correctly filled and is provided with all relevant information, to avoid refusal of the visa application again. Applicants must:
Go through the rejection letter carefully.
Consider the reasons you application was rejected.
Write the application again fixing the reasons for rejection.
One does not need to wait for any specific period before re-applying for a UK visa after its rejection. Perhaps, one can apply for a UK visa as soon as possible, especially if the reasons for refusal are illogical. The chances of getting a UK student visa after refusal directly depend on the reason for refusal.
What to do After UK Student Visa Rejection?
Reapply after refusal of an entry clearance application
opt for reconsideration, which has a limited scope and is only 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.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What if UK student visa is rejected?
If a UK student visa is rejected, one can re-apply for the visa. When re-submitting a UK visa application, make sure that the form is correctly filled and you have provided all relevant information, to avoid refusal of the visa application once again.
Why would a UK student visa be denied?
The UK student visa could get denied due to many reasons such as Incomplete application form, Poor academic records, Incomplete paperwork, Insufficient funds Lack of interview skills, Criminal record found against the visa seeker, etc.
What are the chances of UK student visa rejection?
Each application is examined thoroughly before making any decision. Each year multiple applications are rejected. In 2019, the UK visa rejection rate went up by 13%. So, to be on the safe side, make sure to fulfil the visa requirements before it’s too late.
Can a UK study visa get rejected?
Yes, a UK student visa can be rejected if you are not eligible according to the visa officers. There can be many reasons for refusal such as Insufficient funds, Inadequate or fake documents, falling short on academic achievements, Providing Inaccurate Information, Lack of interview skills, etc