News and updates

24 June 2026: Foreign secretary statement on support for students in Gaza

On 24 June 2026, the UK foreign secretary released a written statement outlining support in 2026 for students in Gaza studying courses at UK universities. Similar to support the UK government provided in 2025, it is stated that these arrangements will apply to students with 'fully funded scholarships' covering both tuition fees and living costs.

For more information on the statement, refer to the GOV.UK press release.

We will continue to check for updates to the guidance and monitor any further updates published by the UK government so we can any advise students who will be eligible for these arrangements on next steps.

Update on refunds for Student visa applications

We are aware of recent reports that those who submitted Student visa applications from Autumn 2023 to May 2026 may be due a partial refund of their visa application fee. 

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have contacted education institutions on 5 June 2026 to confirm that they will reject any refund request made in relation to these fees.

18 March 2026:  Increases to visa application fees from 8 April 2026

The Home Office has announced increases to visa application fees for applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026. These include:

• Student visa (both main applicant and dependants) increasing from £524 to £558
• Graduate route (both main applicant and dependants) increasing from £880 to £937
• Visit visa (up-to six months) increasing from £127 to £135
• Short-term Student increasing from £214 to £228
• Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) increasing from £16 to £20

You can find a full list at the following page:

Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 April 2026

If you're planning on submitting an application soon and, you're eligible under the immigration rules to submit the application before 8 April, you may wish to consider this.

Contact ISSAC if you need further advice.

4 March 2026: UK government to stop Student visas for four nationalities (Updated 06/03/2026)

On 4 March 2026, the UK government announced it will stop student visas for students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, as well as Skilled Worker visas for Afghan nationals.

A statement of changes to the immigration rules was released on 5 March 2026.

• The changes will affect all Student visa applications submitted outside the UK by Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan nationals from 12:01 on 26 March 2026. We expect UKVI to refuse any such applications made after this point.
• Nationals of these countries can expect their applications to be refused even if they live and/or submit their application in another country outside of the UK.
• The changes will not affect Student visa applications submitted inside the UK, or the ability for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan national students who are already here switching to the Graduate visa after completing their course.

If you have submitted a request to change your studies or if you are expecting to have a change to your studies in the future, contact ISSAC.

This is because some changes to study may require you to leave the UK and/or submit your next visa application from outside the UK, which would then be affected by these changes to the rules.