Due to a drafting error in secondary legislation, international students have been overcharged for their student entry clearance fees.
Due to a drafting error in secondary legislation, some international students have been overcharged for their student entry clearance fees.
The exact refund amount depends on when you paid your entry clearance fee:
If you paid Autumn 2023 – March 2025. You were charged £490 instead of £363 and are therefore entitled to a £127 refund.
If you paid March 2025 – April 2026. You were charged £524 instead of £363 and are therefore entitled to a £161 refund.
If you paid during either of these windows (whether you are still studying in the UK, graduated, or left the country) you are likely eligible to claim.
There is a five-year refund window from the date of payment, not the date of your visa expiration! This means if you’ve been affected, you still have a chance to request a refund – but it may take a while to be processed, so don’t wait too long!
How to claim your refund:
1. Locate your visa application number. You will need either your GWF number or UAN. Both can be found on your visa decision letter, your BRP card correspondence, or any email confirmation you received from UKVI when your application was submitted.
2. Download this refund template and fill in your details to the [text in brackets].
3. Submit your letter to the email address or address on your original correspondence. If you don’t have one, don’t panic! Use the UKVI contact form here. Address to: UK Visas and Immigration, Refunds Team.
4. Keep a copy of everything! Save a copy of the letter submitted and any acknowledgment you receive. The Home Office does not have a standard processing time for these requests, so you may need a paper trail to follow up.
5. If you don’t receive a response withing 4 – 6 weeks: follow up in writing, referencing your original submission date and the SLSC finding. Persistence is key!
For more information, read the Visa Tracker article here.