A visa application rejection can pose a problem for any student aspiring to study abroad. Some of the common reasons why student visas are rejected include incomplete or incorrect information on the application form or other documents; inability to meet the English language requirements; unavailability of the necessary financial documents or proof of financial stability; study gaps or a long time between your previous qualification or recent one and the one you are applying for; anomalies in any background information; change of qualification stream or course or lack of prior experience in the domain applied for; applying to a course that does not reflect career growth; travel history to other countries; previous application history; health insurance and nationality. 

Quick Facts

• Of the 161,877 applications in the F1 visa to US in 2020, 50,490 were rejected by the authorities. 
• Australia recorded a 3.6% rejection rate in the primary visa applicant category for higher education in 2021. 
• The UK has a grant rate of 98%, out of the 40,203 applications while about 39% of study permits to Canada were rejected in 2019.

Australia Student Visa Rejection Reasons

What The Norms Say

It’s important to read the guidelines of the country’s government where you plan to study. While the US visa policy has not made any room for rejected applicants (at least for this year); the UK government will send a refusal letter explaining if you have the right to either an administrative review or immigration decision appeal. You must apply for an administrative review within 28 days of getting the decision at a cost of 80 EUR. You must check the conditions that come along with this to know if you are eligible. You must also understand if your student visa is rejected or refused.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) suggests that students contact their institution for advice in case their visa is rejected or refused. “The international student counsellor or immigration adviser at your higher education institution, can tell you more about how and to what extent they can help you with your options following a refusal,” says a UKCISA official.

Students must be aware that at the moment, according to the Home Office, an administrative review may take about six months. If your visa is rejected for Australia, you can appeal at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal within 28 days after notice of your rejection costing around 1,826 AUD. There is no limitation on when you can apply for a new student visa for Australia.

If Canada refuses your student visa application, you can re-apply at any time. However, your decision letter shouldn’t mention otherwise. 

Visa Refusal Data

Of the 161,877 applications in the F1 category to the US in 2020, 50,490 were rejected. Australia recorded a 3.6% rejection rate in the primary visa applicant category for higher education in 2021. The UK has a grant rate of 98%, out of the 40,203 applications. About 39% study permits to Canada were rejected in 2019.

Earlier, there were very few instances of visa rejections but the scenario has changed a little due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many embassies had been slower in visa processing, causing delays and even rejections mainly due to travel restrictions, spurt in cases, newer variants and issues with documents. But things are gradually getting back to normal as countries have opened up.