Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of current waiting times in processing Student visa applications on students who have already incurred tuition and accommodation costs and whose courses have begun; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that applicants, including those who have paid for the priority service, receive decisions within published processing times.

UKVI continued to meet published service standards for straightforward Student visa applications during the 2026 summer peak, despite sustained high demand.

Some applications require additional checks and may take longer where this is necessary to verify the information provided, assess individual circumstances or protect the integrity of the UK immigration system. Applicants will be notified if their application cannot be concluded within the published service standard.

Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Sponsors can use established escalation routes where applications have exceeded published service standards and enrolment deadlines are at risk. Information on visa processing times and service standards is available at Visa processing times - GOV.UK.