Sri Lankan Student Faces Deportation from UK Over One-Day Tuition Fee Delay
Navodya De Silva, a 25-year-old Sri Lankan student at Coventry University, faces potential deportation after her study visa was terminated due to a one-day delay in tuition fee payment. Although De Silva transferred the required £8,000 for her second year on October 3, 2025, processing delays meant the funds arrived on October 7, missing the October 6 deadline. Consequently, the university reported the breach to the UK Home Office, leading to the curtailment of her visa and expulsion from her international hospitality and tourism management course. De Silva, who had successfully completed her first year with high marks, argues the punishment is disproportionate as the delay was beyond her control. Her family invested their life savings in her education, aiming for her to secure senior tourism roles in Sri Lanka upon graduation. While Coventry University stated it must enforce UKVI compliance rules regarding enrollment deadlines, De Silva’s lawyer highlighted the severe, life-altering consequences of the administrative decision. She has applied for further leave to remain in the UK and awaits a decision, fearing that returning home without a degree would ruin her future prospects.
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Sri Lankan Student Faces Deportation from UK Over One-Day Tuition Fee Delay
Navodya De Silva, a 25-year-old Sri Lankan student at Coventry University, faces potential deportation after her study visa was terminated due to a one-day delay in tuition fee payment. Although De Silva transferred the required £8,000 for her second year on October 3, 2025, processing delays meant the funds arrived on October 7, missing the October 6 deadline. Consequently, the university reported the breach to the UK Home Office, leading to the curtailment of her visa and expulsion from her international hospitality and tourism management course. De Silva, who had successfully completed her first year with high marks, argues the punishment is disproportionate as the delay was beyond her control. Her family invested their life savings in her education, aiming for her to secure senior tourism roles in Sri Lanka upon graduation. While Coventry University stated it must enforce UKVI compliance rules regarding enrollment deadlines, De Silva’s lawyer highlighted the severe, life-altering consequences of the administrative decision. She has applied for further leave to remain in the UK and awaits a decision, fearing that returning home without a degree would ruin her future prospects.
The Guardian