The House Workplace has written to UK universities to clarify that “necessary checks” have brought on “unavoidable delays” for college students hoping to enrol within the January consumption.
Regardless of establishments issuing CAS numbers as early as September 2025, some candidates have been experiencing lengthy delays as they watch for the end result of their visa software. The scenario has meant that many college students have missed the beginning date for his or her course as they’ve been unable to journey.
In communications seen by The PIE, the House Workplace has invited universities to increase the newest day of acceptance for any scholar nonetheless ready on a visa determination, in a bid to clear a backlog that has prolonged into the month of February.
Pakistan has been extensively reported as experiencing visa delays, nonetheless, a wider vary of nationalities seem to have been impacted than initially anticipated, with college stakeholders reporting candidates from different South Asian and African nations nonetheless awaiting choices.
Syed Nooh, head of world insights and market improvement on the College of East Anglia spoke to The PIE, explaining that “a lot of colleagues throughout the sector” had raised the alarm that “as much as 50% of scholars had been nonetheless awaiting a call” for the winter consumption.
“At UEA, we issued nearly all CAS numbers earlier than Christmas to make sure college students had ample time to submit their visa functions. Regardless of this proactive method, a major variety of our college students are nonetheless awaiting visa choices,” continued Nooh.
The PIE additionally spoke to a Russell Group college consultant who described the extent of delays in visa choices as a “new” and “regarding” state of affairs for the establishment.
Katie Layt, director of partnerships and development at Enroly, has been exploring CAS issuance information on the platform, revealing that whereas particular person establishments and college students have been experiencing issues, the general pattern has been quicker CAS processing than the identical earlier 12 months.
“The latest uptick in India and Nigeria processing occasions displays seasonal patterns quite than systemic delays,” defined Layt.
“Each nations are nonetheless processing considerably quicker than final January (down 17% and 25% respectively). Whereas we’re seeing a short lived spike from their December lows, these stay inside regular ranges. We’re monitoring all key markets carefully to establish any rising tendencies.”
When requested for additional data on the necessary checks inflicting delays, a House Workplace spokesperson informed The PIE: “All visa functions are assessed on particular person benefit according to immigration guidelines.”
“The place additional data or checks are required, choices might take longer. This helps forestall abuse of the immigration system and non-genuine college students, together with people who try to make use of the scholar route to say asylum in the UK.”
The place additional data or checks are required, choices might take longer. This helps forestall abuse of the immigration system and non-genuine college students, together with people who try to make use of the scholar route to say asylum within the UK
UK House Workplace
Many UK universities have been performing pre-emptive compliance controls by pausing recruitment from nations which can be perceived to be larger compliance danger, in accordance with House Workplace motion plans.
They’re trying to fulfill new Primary Compliance Evaluation (BCA) metrics that had been outlined within the authorities’s white paper on immigration, the place breach of a tighter five-percentage-point benchmark for visa refusals might end result within the revocation of a college’s sponsor licence or harm to repute by way of a public red-amber-green ranking system.
If a scholar exceeds the newest date of acceptance listed on their CAS quantity, they’re prone to to be refused a visa. Consequently, many candidates have now been deferred or withdrawn already as universities can not danger potential visa rejections.
It isn’t clear what number of choices stay excellent for college students who’re nonetheless able to journey and begin their programs within the UK.
The scenario comes at a time when college stakeholders are reacting to a brand new worldwide schooling technique that prioritises diplomatic assist for exercise delivered abroad. The technique has been criticised for failing to deal with the continuing disconnect between immigration coverage and worldwide schooling coverage at house.
There may be hope that the House Workplace will be a part of a brand new Training Sector Motion Group (ESAG) to assist enhance visa issuance and repair requirements for future intakes, together with enhance information infrastructure.
The PIE understands that some universities are looking for authorized recommendation on the potential impression of visa rejections and delays linked to UKVI operational requirements, the accuracy of immigration information and the timing of when BCA metrics will likely be measured and made public.
Be a part of us at The PIE Stay Europe 2026 as we focus on navigating success and setbacks in excessive danger markets, the impression of the brand new BCA necessities in admissions, and the UK’s new worldwide schooling technique. See the agenda right here.
