Visa refusals
What should I do if my Visa is refused?
It is important that you keep in touch with the International Office if your visa is refused, so we can help you as much as we can.
If your Student Visa application is refused, contact the International Office immediately with:
- Your name and student number
- A copy of your refusal notice/email
If your refusal is due to failure at your credibility interview, please also send the interview transcript. You can request this from your visa issuing office, or complete and return this consent form so we can request it on your behalf.
Requesting a second CAS
A Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number cannot be used twice. If you plan to reapply, you must request a new CAS. The Immigration and Compliance team will assess your eligibility after reviewing your refusal notice.
We may request updated evidence (e.g. new bank statements) to support your second application and will also consider whether you have time to apply and arrive for your intended intake. It is unlikely that we will issue a new CAS if we believe a further application will also be refused.
Administrative Review
If we believe the refusal was an error, we may recommend that you apply for an Administrative Review. For example, in cases of credibility refusals, we usually advise submitting an Administrative Review instead of making a new visa application.
Supporting you in your visa application
Why might my Visa application be refused?
Explore the common reasons on why a Visa application may be refused including failed credibility interviews and issues with financial evidencing and documentation.
What can I do to avoid a Visa refusal?
See our top tips and guidance on how to avoid a Visa refusal when applying for your immigration route to the UK.
The visa fee you have paid to the Home Office will not be refunded regardless of the decision itself. You will however be refunded the fee for the Immigration Health Surcharge if applicable.
In most cases the Home Office will give you the right to submit an administrative review. This is where you believe the decision to refuse your application was incorrect and you request that the Home Office look at the application again.
You will be given instructions in your decision letter on how to apply for an administrative review. You cannot submit any fresh documentation or evidence as part of this review process.
You should receive an admin review decision from the Home Office within 28 days.
Deferring your course is possible but it depends on when your chosen course will be running next. Please contact the International Office for further information and guidance on deferring your entry.
Please forward your fee refund query to the International Office for further advice.
Credibility interviews
Read our guidance on credibility interviews held by the Home Office and what to expect and how to prepare for these interviews.
Visa brake
Find out more about the UK Government's temporary visa brake on certain Student Visa applications from specific countries.