If you are looking to study abroad, you will need to secure a student visa prior to the course starts. In most cases, visa issuing authority will want to justify your credibility as a genuine student visa issuing authority will want to justify your credibility as a genuine student in the form of interviews before making a decision.

There are many reasons for visa refusals but here are a few of the common reasons –

1. Failure to prove genuine intention to study or credibility as genuine student

• Poor academic backgrounds and long study gap without explanations,
• Choosing to study irrelevant course,
• Doubts in intention to study the proposed course,
• Academic ability to study the proposed course,
• Lacking in knowledge of course and institution and awareness of alternatives,
• Suspicious reasons for choosing a particular course or institution, including undue influence from family, friends and agents,
• Failure to explain why the student has chosen this country rather than the home country or other international study destinations.

2. Lack of knowledge about the prospective course

• what the prospective course offers, what knowledge it covers,
• why the course would be beneficial and what are the learning outcomes,
• course level, modules, structure, duration, assessment criteria, teaching methods,
• failure to compare similar/same courses offered at other universities,
• academic progression offered by the course,
• career prospects in home country after graduation.

3. Lack of knowledge about the prospective university

• reasons for choosing the university, awareness of alternatives,
• how the university compares with other universities in the country and other countries,
• teaching and assessment methods in the university,
• facilities and resources offered,
• lack of knowledge about course faculty,
• Unique features  of the faculty and the university,
• location of the university.

4. Intention to leave the country at the end of the course

• applicants’ plans on completion of studies i.e. career prospects in home country,
• individual’s economic circumstances i.e. motivation for migration,
• links with the destination country including family and friends,
• links with country of origin, including family, employment and business interests.

5. Poor English language standard

• no or low English language test score,
• lacking basic English language competence,
• failure to communicate in correct English without aid of an interpreter,
• doubt in the ability to study the proposed course.

6. Submission of an invalid Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)/Visa Letter

• invalid supporting documentation,
• submission of ‘provisional’ certificates,
• failure to submit the education documents listed on the CAS,
• discrepancies relating to the proposed course and/or institution,
• not providing other documents that have been highlighted on the CAS.

7. Failure to submit specified financial documents

• failure to provide sufficient evidence of available funds,
• not being in receipt of the required funds for the mandatory period prior to application,
• submission of fraudulent documentation or non-verifiable documents,
• unable or unwilling to give a credible explanation of the source of funds,
• unable to give a credible explanation of how the funds would meet course and maintenance costs in future years,
• suspicion that money for the course was provided by an agent or other third party,
• an applicant/sponsor’s level of income did not equate to the cost of the proposed course,
• doubts in the ability to accommodate and maintain themselves and any dependants,
• doubts over whether funds could be accessed in the destination country,
• the applicant’s bank account was opened a short time before the application was made,
• had no history of money regularly coming in,
• submission of incorrect documents or incorrect formats.

Wanting to study abroad is a huge commitment that involves time, money and above all your future. For genuine students a degree from world-class universities abroad could make a huge difference and you well deserve it. After overcoming the hard hurdles of acceptance by university, it is heart-breaking if you get your study visa refused, and we no way appreciate this. You may avoid refusals by following the steps below –

6 steps to success (6s2s)

Step 1
Allow enough time to take preparation: take long preparations before admission and visa application. Gain sound efficiency in English language.

Step2
Research for detailed information: research, research and research in courses, universities and countries in details before making a decision to study abroad – be informed, be engaged.

Step 3
Make arrangement for finance: talk to your family, take financial preparations, maintain appropriate funds in appropriate formats.

Step 4
Gather appropriate documents: gather documents in correct formats i.e. original certificates, all documents in English, evidence to prove sources of funds.

Step 5
Allow enough time for admission: apply for admission well before the course start date –ideally at least 3 months before your planned visa application.

Step 6
Allow enough time for visa decision: submit visa application at least 6 to 8 weeks before your proposed course start date.

DO NOT –

• apply if you are not a genuine student,
• if you do not have financial ability,
• get your agent or someone else showing funds,
• submit any fake document or give false information,
• fall for cheap courses, cheap institutions and cheap promises.

Please read our blog ‘Credibility Interviews preparation for offer letter and student visa’ to prepare well for your higher study overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)