Hertfordshire Placed on UKVI Student Visa Action Plan Ahead

(HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM) The University of Hertfordshire has become the latest British university to be placed on a student visa action plan by UKVI, after government auditors raised concerns about how it monitors international students’ immigration status and keeps key records. The plan, which started on 14 November 2025, follows a routine UK Visas and Immigration audit carried out in June and puts the university under closer Home Office supervision for several months while it fixes the problems that were identified.

What the action plan means for Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire is the eighth higher education institution in the past year to be moved onto this kind of UKVI action plan, joining a growing list that includes the University of Essex, Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Central Lancashire. All of these institutions hold highly sought-after sponsor licences that allow them to enrol international students under the UK’s Student route.

Officials stress that Hertfordshire keeps its full licence and can still sponsor new and existing students, but must now show swift and concrete improvements in its visa compliance systems.

Sponsor responsibilities under the Student route

Under the student sponsorship system, universities are expected to act as frontline partners for the Home Office. They must:

• track whether sponsored students arrive on time, enrol, attend classes, and complete their courses
• hold up‑to‑date contact details and maintain accurate records
• report certain changes within strict time limits

According to UKVI sponsor guidance published on the UK government website, sponsors must also keep accurate records and meet reporting deadlines. The Home Office states that “sponsorship is a privilege, not a right,” and can be withdrawn if an institution consistently fails to meet its duties. Official guidance is available on the government site under Sponsorship: guidance for employers and educators.

Findings from the June audit

In Hertfordshire’s case, the June audit reportedly highlighted weaknesses in two core areas:

• Immigration status monitoring
• Record keeping

These problems are usually administrative rather than criminal. Examples include:

• missing documents in student files
• delays in reporting non‑enrolment or course withdrawals
• gaps in evidence that key checks were completed on time

While UKVI has not publicly detailed every concern, it judged the issues serious enough to require an action plan but not so serious as to justify suspending or revoking the sponsor licence outright.

Duration and typical requirements of an action plan

The standard student visa action plan usually lasts three to six months, though officials can extend it if deeper, systemic problems are suspected.

During the action-plan period the university must:

1. submit a detailed timetable showing how it will fix each weakness identified by the audit
2. set internal Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and deadlines for updating systems
3. implement plans for staff training
4. provide regular progress reports back to UKVI caseworkers

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, universities on similar plans have been asked to:

• overhaul their data systems
• create new attendance tracking methods
• assign senior managers to oversee compliance daily

Informal performance thresholds used by UKVI

The Home Office uses measurable thresholds to judge a sponsor’s performance. Sector sources say UKVI expects most compliant universities to aim for:

Falling below these benchmarks does not automatically mean a licence will be revoked, but it can trigger closer scrutiny, site visits, and action plans. Post‑Covid, audits have become more forensic, with officials comparing university data against Home Office visa and border records to spot gaps or inconsistencies.

What the action plan means for current students

For students currently at the University of Hertfordshire, the immediate message is that their visa status does not change because of the action plan. Their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) remains valid, and there is no requirement to make a fresh application or move institution.

However, the long-term risk is that if a university fails an action plan and loses its licence, UKVI could curtail student visas and give affected individuals a short period to find a new sponsor or leave the United Kingdom. In recent years, the Home Office has tried to avoid sudden mass disruption by giving “teach out” periods, but the possibility of visa curtailment still causes real anxiety among international students.

“We’re all asking the same question: does this affect our visa?” — a postgraduate student from India (speaking anonymously).

She added: “The university told us they still have the licence and that classes continue as normal, but people are worried because of the stories we’ve seen at other universities.”

For many international students, the sponsor licence is the legal bridge that ties together their degree, housing contracts, and future plans in the UK.

Institutional response and likely actions

University managers face pressure from both government and students to demonstrate this is a temporary setback. Typical institutional responses include:

• stressing close collaboration with the Home Office and a serious approach to compliance
• hiring extra compliance staff
• investing in new software and data systems
• tightening attendance and engagement rules for teaching staff

Behind the scenes, institutions often implement short-term measures (staffing and systems) and longer-term cultural changes to meet UKVI expectations.

Sector debate and broader implications

The growing number of universities on action plans has sparked sector debate over whether UKVI’s expectations are realistic, especially as institutions compete for fee‑paying students globally.

• Some officials argue the compliance bar has been raised while immigration rules have tightened, creating a fragile environment for sponsors.
• Others say strong compliance is essential to maintain public trust in the student visa route and to protect universities that invest in robust systems from being undercut by those that cut corners.

Next steps and outlook

For now, the University of Hertfordshire remains a fully licensed sponsor, working through its UKVI action plan and trying to reassure current and future students that its status is secure. The next few months will be closely watched by those on campus and by other institutions, which may see Hertfordshire’s experience as a warning of how quickly a routine audit can become a high‑stakes test of a university’s international strategy.

Key dates and deadlines to note:

• Action plan start date: 14 November 2025
• Typical action-plan length: 3–6 months (may be extended)

If you are a student at Hertfordshire and have immediate concerns, contact the university’s international student support or the designated compliance officer for up-to-date guidance.