Do Backlogs Affect the Chances of a Visa Approval?
clickHere

Do Backlogs Affect the Chances of a Visa Approval?

8 mins read19.8K Views 1 Comment
Talk to Expert Icon BlueTalk to Expert
clickHere
Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Aug 30, 2024 20:52 IST

Backlogs often seem to be troublesome for the students who apply for overseas education. They constantly worry ‘is visa rejected if more number of backlogs are there?’. To address this concern, we want you to know that backlogs do not have a direct impact on attaining a Student Visa.

Do Backlogs Affect the Chances of a Visa Approval?

What are Backlogs?

It typically occurs when a student fails to meet the minimum passing grade for a particular course or fails to submit required assignments on time. Backlogs can have significant implications for a student's academic progress, as they may prevent them from moving forward to higher-level courses or graduating on time. Read: Do Backlogs Matter for Studying Abroad?

Often, backlogs affect the chances of receiving admission from the university. A visa is granted after you have:

  1. Received admission from a university in your chosen country
  2. Prove that you are financially strong to study in a foreign destination

Therefore, it is important to understand the chronology of visa applications. A visa approval depends upon the factors that influence the chances of receiving admission from a foreign university. You certainly cannot apply for a student visa without getting admission from a university of a particular country.

Score Predictor

Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!

Share 12th Board, Percentage, english score
Get estimated scores or IELTS, TOEFL & PTE


Check out the complete series of the international university application process.

Do Backlogs Affect the Chances of a Visa Approval?

Let us begin with understanding the factors that may affect your admission in your preferred university and then discuss the segments that directly affect your student visa. Below is a systematic process explaining the factors that matter:








Standardised Tests

The standardised examinations required to study abroad are the first and foremost step towards your overseas education. After finalising the course and country, you should check the eligibility criteria. Accordingly, you need to decide which tests you need to appear for, like a GRE or GMAT for a Master’s education or SAT for a Bachelor’s education. You are also required to clear one of the English language tests such as IELTS, TOFEL, or PTE. Do remember:







  • Every country may require you to clear different examinations as per their eligibility criterion. You need to crack those to prove your suitability to study in that country.
  • Examination requirements may change if you change your course. Check which exam to give for which course to study abroad.
  • Some international universities offer courses without any standardised English examination as well. If you have received admission from such a university, a visa rejection based on language requirements will not be a concern.

University Admission

The next step to get to the process of visa application is receiving an admit from an international university. This comes in the form of an offer letter, admission letter, acceptance letter or appointment letter from the school to which you have applied. In order to receive this letter, you need to meet all the university’s requirements. Please note:

RecommendationView All

Explore MS colleges in UK

University of Oxford

Oxford, UKPublic

48 courses
₹ 27.36 L - 56.34 L
University of Manchester

Manchester, UKPublic

127 courses
₹ 20.07 L - 40.67 L
Imperial College London

London, UKPublic

115 courses
₹ 24.29 L - 46.9 L
250 courses
₹ 16.95 L - 65.28 L
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh, UKPublic

62 courses
₹ 21.65 L - 43.2 L
King's College London

London, UKPublic

72 courses
₹ 23.61 L - 47 L
University of Birmingham

Birmingham, UKPublic

100 courses
₹ 8.62 L - 34.34 L
University of Glasgow

Glasgow, UKPublic

111 courses
₹ 20.44 L - 41.2 L
University of Leeds

Leeds, UKPublic

77 courses
₹ 19.54 L - 40.67 L
University of Cambridge

Cambridge, UKPublic

8 courses
₹ 26.18 L - 39.57 L
Is this recommendation relevant?

Impact of Active Backlogs

Let us understand how does backlogs affect visa? Imagine a scenario where you have an active backlog and you have convinced the university that you would certainly clear it in the coming attempt. In this case, a lenient university may grant you an admission letter. However, you would not get the exact form, which you need to apply for a student visa.

In the USA, it is famously called an I-20 Form. In a similar manner, every country has its own form that is required to be submitted to apply for a student visa. Additionally, if you fail to clear that backlog, the university would cancel the admission altogether.

Note: You are eligible to receive an offer letter from a foreign university only if you have a clear academic record with zero Active Backlogs. Therefore, with any active backlogs, you have zero chance of getting a visa approval.

The status of a backlog as active or inactive can be figured out with the help of your academic transcripts and backlog certificates.

Visa Application

As mentioned above, a visa application follows university admission. You need to be very careful about its documentation and providing your information. Here are some important points:

1) Documentation and Interview

Be confident about your goals. They should be very clear and precise. Also discuss your specific reasons for applying to a particular country only because of the exposure you would get there and explain how that university would fulfil your educational requirements. Discuss with experts on how to justify backlogs in visa interview, if any. Check out the tips to crack a student visa interview.

2) Intention for Visit and Stay-back

It is imperative to prove that you do not intend to stay in a foreign country longer than your stay-back period. In case you fail to establish that, you are likely to face a visa rejection.

Remember that you should not show your desire of settling elsewhere other than your home country. The reason being you should not sound like a potential immigrant. There is a different kind of visa application for a work permit abroad; it is not a student visa.

You might be interested in the following reads:

3) Financial Ability

Another very important aspect is to confirm that you have financial resources. You need to confirm that you have sufficient funds to complete your education and stay in a foreign land. For this, you need to provide your financial details, such as, your total family income, savings and assets, education loan documents, assets in India against which you have taken the loan, inheritance etc.

Point to remember: Every country abroad follows its own process of checking the financial ability of the Indian aspirants. For instance, Germany applicants need a Blocked Account while Canada needs a GIC Account. You can always check the requirements for every country from the international educational consultant who is guiding you.

4) Proof of Information

The visa officers will require the exact and true information in your visa application. If you provide them with false or misleading information, your visa application is bound to reject. You should be able to provide a proof of everything that you have mentioned in your application.

Check out the details on the financial documents required for international education. These are some factors that result in university admission, which further leads to procuring a student visa. Check out how to go about a University Application and Visa Application. Overall, the thumb rule is that active backlogs may result in a visa rejection, while the cleared backlogs would not have any impact on your visa application. All the best!

Do Backlogs Affect the Chances of a Visa Approval? FAQs

Q. Will backlogs affect my chances of getting a student visa?

A. Backlogs refer to the incomplete or failed courses that a student needs to clear in order to graduate. To study abroad, students frequently worry - is visa rejected if more number of backlogs are there in their profile? It is crucial to note that backlogs may not come in the way of your visa. If you have received an acceptance letter from a university, you can justify your reasons for getting the backlogs during your visa application process. It is important to focus on getting an admission letter from a university and clearing your backlogs as soon as possible.

Q. Which countries accept backlogs?

A. Almost all the top countries have universities that accept backlogs like Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the US, and others. In fact, students with backlogs can take up a variety of study-abroad possibilities and programmes. Some programmes may be more accepting in terms of a student’s academic background than others. Hence, it becomes crucial to check the exact admission criteria of different universities. In addition, they may also get in touch with the admissions department of the university for further clarification.

Q. How to minimize the chances of rejection if I have backlogs?

A. With backlogs in your academic profile, you can still be selected by a foreign university. The key is to justify these backlogs logically, with genuine reasons, while applying for the university. Here are some tips to justify your backlogs during your university application:

  • Show your competence in your standardized tests (GMAT, GRE, IELTS). Score well in these examinations, and you will definitely strengthen your profile.
  • Work and show plenty of extracurricular activities.
  • Draft a compelling SOP that should convince the admissions committee to consider your application. Give reasonable justification of your backlogs. Be honest in your SOP and showcase your genuine desire to pursue a particular course.

Q. Do foreign universities accept students with backlogs?

A. Yes, foreign universities do accept students who have backlogs. However, you should not have any active backlogs. While selection students, the majority of foreign universities consider the entire profile of a student. Hence, they take into account personal accomplishments and extracurricular activities other than the academic record. Prior to admission, certain colleges may demand that a specific number of backlogs be cleared, while others may not. Hence, conduct a thorough research on the particular requirements of the institutions abroad.

Q. Will the standardized tests cover up my backlogs?

A. Yes, an excellent score in standardized tests like GMAT, GRE, IELTS or TOEFL, will significantly improve your profile. They will help you justify your backlogs. However, remember that these tests are only a part of their admissions application and there are other factors that may impact your application. Important documents like statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, admission essays and resume highlight your overall profile, and can be used to enhance your chances. Hence, you should work to prepare an impressive application overall.

Q:   Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?

A:

The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.

Q:   What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?

A:

The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:

Ranking Body Ranking
The Guardian University Guide 2024 #101
The Complete University Guide 2024#117

Q:   Does the University of Essex require IELTS?

A:

International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:

English Language Test

 Score

IELTS

Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section

The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:

English Language Test

 Score

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 72 to 114

PTE

Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section

Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities

Q:   How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?

A:

The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses: 

The Undergraduate Application Process:  

Step 1:  You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.

Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.

Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.

Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements. 

Check out:  tips to improve your SOP

Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS. 

Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.

Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.

The Postgraduate application process: 

Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\

Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.

Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.

Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course. 

To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application. 

Step 5:  If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester. 

Q:   Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?

A:

With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.

Q:   How much IELTS score is required for Hertfordshire University?

A:

International students coming from diverse backgrounds must prove their English language proficiency by submitting the scores of IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo at Hertfordshire University. The university demands an IELTS score of 6 from the students. Along with the IELTS scores, students can refer to the table below for all the required English proficiency score:

English language test

Minimum Score required UG

Minimum Score required PG

IELTS

6 or above

6 or above

PTE

59 or above

58 or above

Duolingo

105 or above

120 or above

Q:   What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?

A:

University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.

  • Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
  1. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
  2. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
  3. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
  4. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
  5. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
  6. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
  7. #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
  • Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
  • Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD    is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
  • High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.

Q:   What is the ranking of NTU UK in terms of employability?

A:

According to Uni Compare rankings 2024, NTU has been placed at #1 in the UK for employability. In addition to this, as per the details available on the web, some of the top companies where NTU UK alumni work are Deloitte, Microsoft, Tesco, Turner & Townsend, The Access Group, etc. Some of the industries where the alumni work are Operations, Business Development, Arts and Design, Sales, Marketing, IT, Engineering, Finance, Media & Communication, etc.

About the Author
author-image
Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

Explore popular study destinations
Resources for you
Understand the process step by step by referring to these guides curated just for you
qna

Comments

(1)

s

swarnaraj ram

4 years ago

Hi mam I have 16 backlogs in my bachelor's degree and no backlogs in masters degrees. Does it affect my admission. Or any other options to full fill my Canadian dream?

Reply to swarnaraj ram

A

Aprant Agarwal

a year ago

Hi Sarnaraj. Please note that as long as you can justify your backlogs in your admission application, they will not have an impact. However, it is suggested that you visit the official webpage of the university and get in touch with the admission department for exact details. Different universities

...Read more