Seven countries made up 86% of UK sponsored study visa refusals for main applicants in the year to June 2026, according to Home Office data.
Our analysis of the Home Office's detailed visa outcomes dataset shows 17,381 refusals across all nationalities. Of those, 14,921 came from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Ghana and Sri Lanka.
The seven countries side by side
| Nationality | Visas granted | Visas refused | Refusal rate, year to June 2026 | Refusal rate, Q4 2025 to Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 19,640 | 4,581 | 18.9% | 40.2% |
| Ghana | 3,430 | 676 | 16.5% | 28.4% |
| Bangladesh | 8,805 | 1,490 | 14.5% | 25.3% |
| Nigeria | 26,060 | 3,427 | 11.6% | 20.6% |
| Sri Lanka | 3,421 | 422 | 11.0% | 21.7% |
| India | 82,523 | 3,634 | 4.2% | 7.8% |
| Nepal | 16,300 | 691 | 4.1% | 5.4% |
Figures are for main applicants. The refusal rate is refusals as a share of decisions, meaning visas granted plus refused. Figures for 2026 are provisional.
Across the seven countries, 8.5% of decisions in the year were refusals. For all nationalities combined, the rate was 4.5%.
How they compare with lower-refusal countries
| Group | Refusal rate, year to June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Seven countries combined | 8.5% |
| All nationalities | 4.5% |
| China | 0.1% |
| United States | 0.3% |
| Canada | 0.4% |
Refusal rates were far lower in the July to September 2025 peak application period, at 1.6% for all nationalities. They rose in the following quarters.
Why the 5% line matters for universities
Since 1 June 2026, universities that sponsor students must keep their visa refusal rate under 5% to pass the Home Office's annual Basic Compliance Assessment. Under the Student sponsor compliance guidance, a rate of 5% or more is rated red.
The rule applies to each university's own refusal rate, not to each country. But when most refusals come from a small group of countries, a university that recruits heavily from them carries more risk.
What refused students can do
A refusal is not always the end of the application. If the caseworker made a mistake, you may be able to ask for an administrative review.
You must apply within 28 days if you applied from outside the UK, or within 14 days if you applied from inside the UK. Read our guide to UK student visa refusals and administrative review to check whether your refusal may qualify.
If you have a refusal letter and want to know your options, book a consultation with NARA Solicitors. Based in Canary Wharf, London, our team has helped many students and individuals with visa refusals.
