To enter the UK for pursuing higher education, international students have to obtain a student visa. It may seem simple when your visa application is granted, but the process of visa approval is rigorous. Each application is being examined thoroughly before approval or rejection. This article will help you to know the reasons for rejections of UK student visas and how to reapply.
UK Student Visa Rejection Reasons
Many times, students wanting to study abroad in UK are unable to convert their dreams into reality due to their UK Student Visa rejection at the early stages due to many reasons. In 2019, the UK student visa rejection rate was 13%. Mentioned below are some of the most common reasons for UK student visa rejection.
Incomplete application form
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. Consequently, the probability of making mistakes is very high and should be avoided in all circumstances.
Poor academic records
Students looking to apply to universities in the UK must demonstrate their academic achievements to meet the exceptional academic standards of higher education in the UK. 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.
Insufficient funds
Students going to the UK are required to be financially capable of paying their tuition fees, their living costs, and every other necessary expenditure while living in the country. By law, students would be required to show funds through the documents that cover their tuition and living expenses for a year or for the entire duration of the course (whichever is longer).
The standard of living in the United Kingdom is high, and your visa won’t get approved if you don’t have enough financial capabilities. Many times, these unclear details or taken lightly by the student 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 your 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 extra careful to note that all the documents required by the agency must be submitted in order and attested if necessary. Documents must be in English and in accordance with 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 vital. It is a deciding factor in accepting your student visa application. Students should be able to exude confidence and charisma at the time of their interview. Students who go unprepared or provide hesitant answers often miss out on the opportunity of getting 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, city, university, 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 a Tier 4 Student Visa to pursue higher studies are required to meet the English language criteria set by the institution where they are seeking admission. They can provide proof by submitting test scores of TOEFL or IELTS. If the visa officer feels that you are not proficient enough in the English language to survive in the UK, they might 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 that they are only traveling on a student visa. So you should convince the visa officers that once the legal duration of stay is over you will come back. Students who are unable to present an intention to return to their home country after their studies could lead to the 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 reconsideration or appeal. Therefore, the only available option after the rejection of a UK student visa is reapplication. 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. Applicants must:
- Go through the rejection letter carefully.
- Consider the reasons for rejection.
- 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 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 can be denied due to many reasons such as Incomplete application form, Poor academic records, Insufficient funds, Incomplete paperwork, Lack of interview skills, Criminal record found against the visa seeker, etc.
What are the chances of UK student visa rejection?
Each application is being examined thoroughly before making any decision. Each year many applications are rejected. In 2019, the UK visa rejection rate went up to 13%. So to be on the safe side, make sure to fulfill the visa requirements before it’s too late.
Can UK study visa get rejected?
Yes, a UK student visa can get rejected if you are not eligible according to the visa officers. There may be many reasons for the refusal such as Insufficient funds, Inadequate or fake documents, Falling short on academic achievements, Providing Inaccurate Information, Lack of interview skills, etc
You should also read the following articles
Checklist Before going to Study in UK
How to Get PR in UK After Study
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Categories: UK
Tags: Study Abroad