The Post-Study Work (PSW) visa – officially known as the Graduate visa – allows international students in the UK to stay and work for up to two years after completing an eligible course. For many graduates, it’s a crucial first step towards building a long-term career or settlement in the UK.
However, not all PSW visa applications are successful. Rejections can be stressful, costly and disruptive, especially if you were planning to stay and work after your studies.
In this article, we outline the most common reasons why PSW visa applications are refused – and how you can avoid them. You’ll also have the opportunity to arrange a free consultation with our experienced immigration solicitors to discuss the next steps for your case.
Note: For the purposes of this article, we will refer to the Graduate visa as the PSW visa, in line with how many students still commonly describe it.
1. Ineligibility of the course or institution
To qualify for a PSW visa, you must have completed a UK degree or other eligible course with a licensed student sponsor. If your course or institution does not meet the Home Office’s criteria, your application will likely be refused.
This includes:
- Courses completed at institutions that have lost their sponsor licence
- Courses not officially recognised as eligible (such as short-term study or English language courses)
- Cases where the qualification was not successfully completed
Before applying, confirm that your course is eligible and that your university or college still holds a valid student sponsor licence.
2. Application submitted too early or too late
Timing is crucial when applying for a PSW visa. You must apply after your education provider has informed the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed your course – but before your Tier 4 or Student visa expires.
If you apply:
- Before your university has confirmed your course completion
- After your current visa has expired
- From outside the UK
Your application will be automatically refused. Always double-check your course completion date, ensure your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) has been updated and apply within the correct window.
3. Incorrect or missing documents
Like all UK visa applications, the Graduate visa requires supporting documents. If you fail to provide the required information – or if what you submit is unclear or inaccurate – your application may be rejected.
Common document errors include:
- Missing passport or biometric residence permit (BRP)
- Inconsistent or misspelt names
- Incorrect CAS number
- Incomplete university confirmation
Ensure that you double-check all your documents and if in doubt, ask your university’s international support team or a legal advisor for guidance.
4. Course not completed due to academic failure or withdrawal
To be eligible for the PSW visa, you must have completed your course. If you fail a module, withdraw from your course or leave your studies early for any reason, your application will be refused.
This can include:
- Failing final exams or assessments
- Withdrawing due to illness or personal circumstances
- Leaving the course without formally completing it
If you are at risk of not completing your course, speak to your education provider as early as possible. You may be able to defer, repeat a module or extend your visa to complete your qualification properly.
5. Breaching visa conditions
The Home Office will review your immigration history when assessing your application. If you have previously breached the terms of your visa – for example, by working too many hours, failing to attend your course or overstaying – this could result in your PSW visa being refused.
Other serious breaches include:
- Using false documents
- Giving misleading information
- Having a criminal record in the UK
Always comply fully with the conditions of your student visa and keep records of your attendance, work hours and travel. A visa refusal solicitor can help you identify any breaches, if required, by assessing your case.
6. Delays in university reporting to the Home Office
Your university must report to the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed your course before you can apply for the PSW visa. If there is a delay in reporting – for example, your final results are pending or the university’s internal processes are slow – this could put your application at risk.
In some cases, students apply before the university’s report has been received by the Home Office, resulting in rejection.
Stay in close contact with your university to confirm when your course completion is officially reported. Do not submit your application until you’ve had confirmation.
7. Application submitted from outside the UK
One of the key conditions of the PSW visa is that you must apply from inside the UK while still holding a valid Tier 4 or Student visa. If you leave the country and try to apply from abroad, your application will be automatically refused.
If you travel before applying – or your visa expires while you are outside the UK – you will lose eligibility for the Graduate visa.
Always check the terms of your current visa and avoid international travel until your PSW application has been submitted and a decision made.
8. Incorrect or unpaid visa fee and health surcharge
The PSW visa application fee and immigration health surcharge (IHS) must be paid in full at the time of submission. If there’s a problem with the payment – for example, insufficient funds or incorrect details – the application will not be processed.
The current fees are:
- Visa application: £822
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year (usually £2,070 for a two-year visa)
Make sure your payment card works and your bank authorises the transaction.
Get expert help with your PSW visa application
A rejection can be a major setback – but with the right advice, it’s often avoidable. At Osbourne Pinner Solicitors, we help international graduates navigate the UK immigration system and avoid common mistakes that lead to PSW visa refusals.
Our experienced UK immigration solicitors can assist you with:
- Checking eligibility and application timing
- Reviewing your documents
- Resolving previous visa issues
- Submitting appeals or reconsideration requests if you’ve already been refused
If you’d like to arrange a free 30-minute consultation, please call us on 0203 983 5080, email [email protected] or use the enquiry form below. You can come to our offices in Harrow, Canary Wharf, Piccadilly Circus or Manchester City Centre – or speak to us on a video call if you’re based further afield.
