Refusals and corrections

Although rare, there are cases where a visa may be refused, or where an issued visa is incorrect. You should follow the correct procedures to make sure you get the problem resolved before you try to enter the UK.

Refusals

Very few visa applications that are made by legitimate students coming to the University of St Andrews are refused, but it does happen on occasion. However, if you follow the guidance provided in the document returned to you with your refusal, and the Student visa policy guidance, your re-application should be accepted and your visa granted.

The most common reasons for refusals are:

  • not including all the required documents (the most common omission is the passport)
  • documents not being in the correct format
  • applications not meeting the points requirements because of insufficient funds, or the funds not having been in the account for the correct term, or funds not in cash
  • applicants not providing any previous qualifications that have been highlighted in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

 


If there’s an error in your entry visa (vignette)

If you notice an error in your vignette, you should contact your visa application centre immediately to correct it before you come to the UK.

If you notice the error after you’ve arrived in the UK, you must report it to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) within 3 months of arriving or you’ll need to make a new application.

If there's an error in your BRP/Digital visa

You need to report any errors in your BRP within 10 days of collecting it. We can help you do this if you contact International Advice: advint@st-andrews.ac.uk

Check all the details are correct. If your name is long it may appear ‘cut off’. This is not a mistake - it is because there is limited space on the BRP card. However, if there’s a spelling mistake, it must be reported.

Your BRP should show your working conditions (student visas usually have a working time restriction of 20 hours a week maximum). The visa is also be valid for a set amount of time after your course of study has ended. The amount of time it remains valid for depends on the length of your course.

If you think that your visa has not been issued with the correct working conditions, or amount of validity time, you should contact International Advice: advint@st-andrews.ac.uk. You should email a scanned copy of your visa so we can help you correct the problem.

Correct visa end dates:

  • Courses 12 months or more: visa ends four months after the end date of the course.
  • Courses between six and 12 months: visa ends two months after the end date of the course.
  • Pre-sessional courses less than six months: visa ends one month after the end date of the course.
  • All other courses less than six months: visa ends seven days after the end dates of the course.