We, the undersigned, respectfully call upon the UK Government and the Home Office to urgently address severe delays in UK Student Visa (Standard Route) applications for the January 2026 intake, which have exceeded the officially stated Service Level Agreement (SLA).

Thousands of genuine international students submitted their biometrics in December 2025, paid full visa fees, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), tuition deposits, and met all financial and academic requirements. Despite this, many applicants have received “SLA not met – non-complex” notifications, while no final visa decision has been issued even weeks later.

These unexplained delays have caused:

1. Missed university enrollment deadlines.
2. Risk of losing CAS sponsorship Severe mental stress and uncertainty.
3. Significant financial losses (tuition deposits, accommodation, flights).
4. Damage to the UK’s reputation as a welcoming destination for international students

Universities across the UK depend heavily on international students, and students plan their futures based on timelines officially published by UKVI. When these timelines are not respected or transparently explained, it undermines trust in the immigration system.

Our Concerns:

1. Applications classified as “non-complex” are still facing indefinite delays.

2. No clarity on interview requirements or additional documentation.

3. No prioritisation despite confirmed course start dates.
4. Limited or automated communication from UKVI.

Our Requests:

We respectfully urge the UK Government and Home Office to:

 1. Urgently process all pending January 2026 student visa applications that have exceeded SLA timelines.

 2. Provide transparent communication regarding delays, interviews, or additional checks.

 3. Introduce temporary priority handling for January 2026 intake applicants.

 4. Ensure universities are not forced to withdraw CAS due to UKVI processing delays.

 5. Improve accountability and response times for student visa applications.

Why This Matters

International students contribute billions of pounds annually to the UK economy and enrich its academic and cultural environment. Delays of this nature risk pushing students toward alternative destinations and damaging the UK’s global education standing.

We believe timely, transparent, and fair visa processing is essential for maintaining confidence in the UK immigration system.

Call to Action:

We urge the UK Government and Home Office to take immediate action to protect the futures of genuine students and uphold the credibility of the UK Student Visa process.

Please sign this petition to support timely justice for international students.