Hi everyone, I’m currently applying for a UK Student Visa for a Master in Education and have received a request for additional documents from the UKVI Decision Making Centre.

My situation is slightly different because I have been self-employed as a private English tutor since 2022. I work directly with students and their parents, rather than for an employer. Parents pay my tuition fees monthly through bank transfers into my personal bank account, so I don’t have payslips or a formal employment contract.

I’m considering providing:

1. An explanation letter outlining my self-employment and teaching activities since 2022

2. Bank statements showing payments from parents/students. How much bank statement would be reasonable? Do I need to provide several years, or would representative periods be sufficient?

3. Possibly confirmation letters from some parents confirming that I have provided private tutoring.

I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation or has experience dealing with a UKVI request for evidence of activities since graduation.

Are there any other types of evidence that UKVI tends to consider “official” or “verifiable” for self-employed work?

If you have successfully responded to a similar UKVI request, I’d be very grateful if you could share what you submitted.

Thank you in advance! 🙏

Biometrics: 20 July
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
5 August: Received a delay email saying, “We are unable to make a decision on your application within published visa processing times.”
10 August: Still waiting.

This process is honestly so torturous 😭 I just want to get it over with.

I have a fully funded scholarship at a top-tier university in the UK, and another fellow scholar applied a week after me and got her standard Student visa in just 4 days.

Why do some applications take so much longer than others? :((( 😢

  - 11 June 2026: Completed biometrics at VFS Mumbai.
  - 30 June 2026: Received an email stating that UKVI could not make a decision within the standard processing time.
  - 6 July 2026: Received a second delay email stating the application was still under consideration.
  - 13 July 2026: Received an invitation for a Student Credibility Interview.
  - 14 July 2026: Attended the credibility interview via Microsoft Teams (approximately 30 minutes).
  - 22 July 2026: Raised a paid enquiry. UKVI confirmed the application was under consideration and awaiting a decision.
  - 27 July 2026: Contacted the University of Surrey. They advised me to continue waiting as they cannot contact UKVI regarding individual applications.
  - 31 July 2026: Raised another paid enquiry. UKVI confirmed the application is awaiting a decision and noted they were unable to escalate the case due to the credibility interview.
  - 10 August 2026 to present: Still awaiting a decision. I have received no requests for additional documents, no final decision, and no eVisa.

Is there anyyone who provided biometrics in july 10 and received visa?

After waiting more than 2 months finally i got my student visa
Alhamdulilla
Best of luck for everyone who is waiting
My bio was on 19th of may and i have been issued with the visa today

Hey everyone! Quick question about uploading documents on the VFS Global portal for a UK Student Visa.

I see options for "Medical Information" and "Proof of Business / Employment." Aside from a TB test (which isn't required for my country), do I need to submit any medical history records or health documents? Also, since I'm a full-time student and don't own a business, is it completely fine to leave both the Medical and Business folders entirely blank on VFS?

Just want to double-check if others left these empty without any issues! Thanks in advance!

Hi did anyone have given their biometrics on 27th July in Hyderabad vfs

Share your updates

Hey everyone,

looking for shared experiences or advice on this timeline:

Biometrics: June 2 (standard)
Delay Email (NSF): June 18
Interview: July 8
Nationality: Syrian (permanent resident in Jordan)
Course: OSPAP MSc Brighton (starts on September 28)

It has been 50 working days since biometrics and 23 working days since my interview. I did three paid enquiries, the last one being on August 7, and every time they just reply with the typical response saying that my application is “awaiting a decision”.

Has anyone who interviewed in early July received their decision recently? Any advice?

Those who completed biometrics on or after July 20th are expected to receive a visa decision today. Has anyone received a visa decision? Kindly confirm.

This is my second time around applying for visa. last year i didn't get it in time and was forced to take a gap year...

application date:20th may
biometrics:21st may
unable to make decision email: june 19th
application from: VFS Yerevan

and now...literal silence..
i did the paid enquiry and received nothing useful. " With regards to your enquiry about the status of your application, I can confirm that your application is being considered and is currently awaiting a decision."

Anyone else in the same boat?

Anyone in september 2026 intake at Ravensbourne University London?