Why Do Student Visas Get Refused?

Attending world-renowned universities is a dream shared by many students. To enrol at a top-ranking university, obtaining a student visa is essential.

A visa is a travel permit for non-citizens entering another country for travel, work, or study purposes. It includes limits on the duration of stay within the country.

If you are a student and wish to study abroad, you must apply for a student visa. However, not every student gets a good visa outcome. 

Below are some of the reasons why a student could get a visa refusal:

1. Failure to meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement:

Different countries rely on the SOP/Genuine Student Statement to identify genuine applicants who are interested in pursuing higher education.

As an applicant, you must provide documentary evidence that you are travelling for educational purposes only.  

Depending on the country of choice, you will need to either write an SOP or provide answers to 4 questions in 150 words. Assessment is based on some of the following criteria:

•     Circumstances in the home country; this includes reasons for not studying in the home country, economic circumstances, and political/civil unrest in the home country.
•     Potential circumstances in the study destination, the level of knowledge of the proposed course and education provider, previous study, financial capacity, and accommodation arrangements.
•     Applicant’s future prospects studying this course; consistency of the course with an applicant’s education level, expected remuneration in the home country, which could be gained using the qualifications from the study.
•     Applicant’s immigration history; past visa refusals and applications for Australia or other countries.

2. Failure to meet academic requirements

Academic entry requirements will vary according to your course, university, and level of education.

Entry requirements for different levels of study are the following;

•     English language: the score depends on the country and course. 
•     Undergraduate: have an overseas qualification equivalent to an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
•     Postgraduate: has completed an undergraduate degree.

3. You have insufficient funds

Your financial standing is one of the main reasons for a visa refusal. You need to prove that you can finance your studies and living expenses throughout the duration of the course. 

You will need to provide documentary proof that demonstrates your ability to access the required level of funds.

4. Health concerns 

As a student visa applicant, you are required to undergo medical examinations and obtain health clearance. Additionally, student visa applicants must provide overseas health insurance certificates. It provides medical and hospital insurance and must cover the duration of your stay. 

If you don’t have health insurance, you are not just at a health risk; you risk having your visa rejected.

5. Failure to meet the English requirement