Top five reasons for a visa refusal
- Financial documents do not show enough money.
- Bank documents do not clearly show that the money has been in your account for a consecutive 28 days.
- Financial documents do not meet UKBA requirements.
- Original qualifications or certificates listed on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) are not provided.
- No translations of documents which are not in English.
Make sure your application isn’t refused by following our key steps.
Credibility interview
You may have a short 'credibility' interview when you attend the visa application centre to submit your application and biometric information.
What will I be asked?
The interview focuses on your reasons for coming to the UK and your ability to explain this in English. For example, you may be asked about your course, studies or finances.
What happens next?
A report of the interview will be considered with your visa application and supporting documents.
You may be called for a further interview if the visa officer needs more information.
Are you ready to apply?
Key steps to a successful Tier 4 application
- Prepare your documents carefully using our visa advice pages.
- Check with the International Student Advice Team if you have any questions. You can also:
- look at our Facebook page (which will be live later in the summer)
- follow @prepareforbath on Twitter
- visa advice webchats.
- Check you have the required documents.
- CAS statement. This will be sent to you automatically after you have completed your pre-CAS check, sent to you through Application Tracker
- completed application form: if you applied online you must print off your application and submit it with your supporting documents
- financial documents showing enough money to pay your fees (detailed on your CAS) and living costs
- parent's letter giving permission for you to use their money, if you are using your parent’s bank documents
- birth certificate, if using your parent's bank documents
- qualifications/certificates that are stated on your CAS
- ATAS certificate if required (you will be informed by our admissions team if you need to apply for this)
- translations of any documents not in English
- current and previous passports (check expiry date)
- two photographs meeting UKBA requirements
- Appendix 8 (print out and complete)
- fee (many of you will pay when applying online).
- Check that your documents will be accepted by UKBA:
- will UKBA accept your bank statements?
- do your translations meet UKBA requirements?
- are all your documents original documents?
- do your photos meet UKBA requirements?
- check the UKBA policy guidance.
- Make your online application (in some countries you will need to apply using form VAF 9). Use your CAS statement to help you with some of the questions.
- Follow the application process for your country - this will involve paying your fee and sending your documents to a Visa Application Centre or British embassy/consulate.
