Question 1

Who is affected by this overcharge?

Accepted Answer

Applicants who paid the Student or Child Student visa entry-clearance fee from outside the UK between Autumn 2023 and April 2026, when the charge was £490 or £524 against a statutory fee of £363 (line 1.3.11A, Schedule 1, SI 2018/330). In-country extensions are not affected.

Question 2

How much can I be refunded?

Accepted Answer

Either £127 (if you paid £490 between Autumn 2023 and March 2025) or £161 (if you paid £524 between March 2025 and April 2026). UKVI refunds to the original payment method. Eligibility is determined solely by UKVI.

Question 3

Is there a deadline?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Claims must be made within five years of the date of payment. After that, the right to claim a refund typically lapses.

Question 4

Do you guarantee a refund?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not guarantee any refund or outcome. We provide administrative document preparation only. Any decision rests entirely with UKVI.

Question 5

Do you provide legal or immigration advice?

Accepted Answer

No. Our process has been reviewed with input from legal professionals, but we are not solicitors, and this is not legal or immigration advice. We help structure and prepare documents. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified professional.

Question 6

Do you submit my request to UKVI for me?

Accepted Answer

No. You remain responsible for submission. We prepare a complete package; you review it and submit it yourself, addressed to the UKVI Refunds Team, using the address on your visa correspondence (or the contact route on GOV.UK).

Question 7

What happens to my uploaded documents?

Accepted Answer

Uploads are temporary and are automatically deleted within 24 hours after your package is prepared. We keep only what is needed to generate your documents.

Question 8

What is the difference between DIY and DFY?

Accepted Answer

DIY gives you a free educational guide to prepare everything on your own, with the same fee figures and citations we use internally. DFY prepares the request package for you, grounded in our knowledge base, with a two-person verification step before release.

Question 9

Should I do a chargeback on my card instead?

Accepted Answer

No. A chargeback can block your refund from UKVI. The correct route is to submit a written refund request to the UKVI Refunds Team, and let UKVI refund to the original payment method.