Pakistani nationals seeking student visas for the United Kingdom are experiencing substantial financial losses and missing out on classes due to prolonged delays in visa processing times, as reported by VisaGuide.
According to Syed Shujaat Ali Shah, Managing Director of Karachi-based FES Consultants, Pakistani students perceive deliberate delays in visa processing, possibly reflecting the UK’s intentions to reduce immigration numbers. He noted instances where interviewers concluded interviews without informing candidates, exacerbating uncertainties.
Pakistani students constitute the fourth-largest international student community in the UK. However, despite paying higher fees for priority processing, their visa applications are facing delays of up to a month, as reported by THE PIE, an organization in the international education sector.
This delay affects thousands of Pakistani students, with some UK universities even retracting confirmations for January intake. Approximately 10,000 to 12,000 Pakistani students applied for the January 2024 intake.
Moreover, Pakistani students are incurring non-refundable visa application fees and additional costs for priority processing, compounding their financial burdens. They also face expenses related to tuition fee transfers, including conversion and currency fluctuation costs.
Consequently, Pakistani students feel they are not receiving the services they pay for, with visa processing times exceeding the standard 30-day limit, in some cases up to 45 days.
