The UK government has announced that a student visa applicant will only receive a refund of their application fee if they choose to withdraw.
According to official government instructions, candidates who desire to withdraw from the student visa application process must contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immediately.
However, a refund is only possible if UKVI has not yet commenced processing the application at the time the withdrawal request is submitted.
When is it possible to get a refund on UK visa fees?
Once UKVI begins processing an application, the fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether the applicant later decides not to come to the UK or changes their mind about studying there.
This makes the timing of any withdrawal request essential for anyone who wants to retrieve the money they paid.
For most applicants applying from outside the UK, the present charge ranges into hundreds of pounds, making the refund requirement a significant practical worry for students who may suffer sudden changes in their plans, such as losing an offer from an institution or being unable to acquire funding.
What foreign students need to do
The advice specifies that the withdrawal request must be made directly to UKVI. Applicants cannot just abandon their application and expect to receive an immediate reimbursement.
They must actively contact UKVI and advise them of their decision to withdraw as soon as possible in order to have any hope of recovering their money before processing begins.
The same restriction applies to people who want to extend their student visa from within the UK.
11 steps foreign students must follow for the UK student visa
Meanwhile, international students, especially Nigerian students, seeking to begin their studies in the United Kingdom have been reminded to complete their visa applications before submitting them.
Therefore, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has explained the procedure, advising applicants to pay great attention to their paperwork and personal details.
The guidance covers the route from seeking admission to completing biometrics and receiving a visa determination.