What to do if your visa is refused or your visa contains errors
If you find your visa application has been refused you have 2 options:
In each case, scan and email your refusal notice in full to international@hope.ac.uk so that we can advise you about what to do.
The administrative review process can be very lengthy sometimes taking several months, which would delay you starting your studies in the UK. It's normally a good idea to make a new application instead. However, you can still appeal against the decision by requesting an administrative review, if the refusal notice states that you have used deception in your application. You need to do these no more than 28 days after the date that you receive the refusal notice (GV51). There is more information about the administrative review process in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance which is available on the UK Border Agency website.
We recommend that you make a fresh application for Tier 4 General Student Visa, ensuring that you address each point on the refusal notice. You will not be able to use the same CAS number you used in the original application (if you try to use the original CAS number your visa will be refused again) so please email international@hope.ac.uk to request a new CAS number. You need to pay the application fee again and ensure that all your documents, e.g. bank statements, are up to date and no more than one month old when you re-apply.
The most common reason for your visa application to be refused is due to an apparent lack of funds available or in the incorrect format. The Tier 4 Policy Guidance clearly states how much maintenance you are required to show in your bank account. Remember that this must be in a bank account in your name or your parents' name. If you want to use your parents' bank statements you must provide additional supporting documentation. Please remember to use the official OANDA currency conversion website
For the purpose of verifying applicants' maintenance funds under the points-based system, the UK Border Agency maintains a list of financial institutions (in some countries) that do not satisfactorily verify financial statements. Please read the UKBA guidance
If your application is returned to you as invalid it is as if you have never made an application in the first place. The most common reason for students' applications to be rejected is if the photograph does not meet the UKBA guidelines, parts of the application have not been completed or the payment has not been processed. Please email international@hope.ac.uk for advice as soon as possible after you have received notification that your visa has been rejected or returned as invalid.
The most common reason for a visa to be refused is due to financial guidelines not being followed and an incorrect amount of funds available or in the wrong format. The Tier 4 Policy Guidance clearly states how much maintenance you are required to show in your bank account and for how long.
For the purpose of verifying applicants' maintenance funds under the points-based system, the UK Border Agency maintains a list of financial institutions (in some countries) that do not satisfactorily verify financial statements. Please read the UKBA guidance
If you applied for an extension to your leave to remain before your immigration permission expired, you have made an in-time application and you should be granted a full right of appeal and the appeal papers will be enclosed with your Refusal Notice form.
If you stay in the UK after this date you will become an overstayer because you no longer have a visa to be in the UK. If you stay for 28 days as an overstayer in the UK and then return home, you will be banned from returning to the UK for 12 months.
For initial advice on what to do if your visa is refused email international@hope.ac.uk
Further information about the appeal process and to download the relevant forms and guidance visit The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal
Find an immigration solicitor or for further immigration advice.
Sometimes when a student applies for a Tier 4 Visa in their home country an error can occur on their visa, which can be corrected upon arrival through the Entry Clearance Correction Scheme (ECCS). This scheme can correct errors such as incorrect length of leave and incorrect sponsor number. The ECCS is run by the UKBA and can be used to correct clearance mistakes free of charge and is a service that we can provide for you. If you have an error on your visa, please arrange an appointment with the Student Administration Compliance Officer by emailing international@hope.ac.uk who will explain the process to you and apply for the mistake to be corrected.