Students in Pakistan are facing visa delays for the January intake at UK universities, impacting their academic plans and causing financial strain. Despite paying for priority visa processing, many applicants have experienced months-long delays, leading universities to withdraw Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letters. As visa and priority service fees are non-refundable, students are left with additional costs for transferring tuition fees and managing currency fluctuations.
Agencies report significant numbers of affected students, estimating thousands across Pakistan. The delays, attributed to various factors, also impact institutions considering April intakes. The UKVI’s stipulated wait time for priority applications is five working days, with a maximum of 30 days. Refunds are possible, but individual cases are considered, requiring applicants to withdraw applications themselves to avoid automatic visa refusal consequences.
UK Visa Delays, Pakistani Students, Financial Losses, UK Immigration, Student Visa Issues