SQE1 (January 2026) Payment Emails: When Will They Arrive? Can I Still Register? A Complete Guide
Introduction: The two most pressing questions right now are: ① Have payment emails been sent and when will I receive mine? ② If I didn't submit the seat reservation form or want to register again, is there still an opportunity?
Below, we provide a clear and actionable guide based on the official January 2026 SQE1 timeline and process.
Timeline at a Glance (UK Time)
15/09 18:00 → 18/09 17:00
Seat Reservation Form sent and submission deadline. Those who submitted the form should await seat allocation and payment notification.
13/10 10:00 → 04/11 17:00
Payment request emails sent in batches to your registered SQE email address (only after seat allocation). You must complete payment within 48 hours of receiving the email, or your seat will be cancelled. Candidates who applied for Reasonable Adjustments (RA) may receive payment emails after 04/11 (must accept adjustments offer first; current RA candidates need to contact SRA directly to complete payment).
05/11 10:00 → 12/11 17:00
Candidates who have completed payment can reschedule/change test centres during this window (subject to availability; RA candidates should contact the equality team).
Didn't submit a seat reservation form? How to register:
05/11 10:00 → 12/11 17:00 online direct booking will open (limited spaces, first-come-first-served; RA candidates cannot use this route).
Exam Week Reminder: This sitting's exam weeks are FLK1: 12/01/2026–16/01/2026; FLK2: 19/01/2026–23/01/2026; official "Booking closing" deadline is 12/11/2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: I submitted the seat reservation form but haven't received a payment email. Is this normal?
Yes, completely normal. The SRA has confirmed that payment request emails are being sent in batches between 13/10 and 04/11; you'll only receive an email once the system has allocated you a seat. RA applicants may receive their email after accepting their adjustments offer, potentially after 04/11. You must complete payment within 48 hours of receiving the email, or your seat will be cancelled.
Q2: I missed the seat reservation form deadline. Can I still register for January 2026?
Yes, there's still a chance. An online direct booking window will open from 05/11 10:00 to 12/11 17:00 (limited spaces available); RA candidates cannot use this route and must follow the RA process.
Q3: Can I reschedule or change test centres after payment?
Yes. You can make changes during the 05/11–12/11 rescheduling window, subject to what's shown on your "Bookings" page; RA candidates should email the equality team to arrange changes.
Q4: Why haven't I received an email? What account preparation steps do I need to complete?
The SRA requires completion of pre-booking steps: account registration, identity verification, submission of the Monitoring & Maximising Diversity Survey, and selection of whether you require RA. The diversity survey was recently updated—you must return to your account to reconfirm it, or it may affect your booking/payment.
Q5: Key points about Reasonable Adjustments (RA)?
If you haven't received or accepted your adjustments offer, your payment email will be sent after you accept, potentially after 04/11. Current RA candidates need to contact the SRA to complete payment; for rescheduling, please contact [email protected].
Q6: What are the official contact details?
SQE Candidate Services: [email protected]
Telephone (UK): 0203 486 3080 (Monday–Friday 8:00–18:00, UK time)
If you encounter delivery/allocation issues or payment timeouts, we recommend contacting them as soon as possible.
CELE internal course students should contact customer services directly (email: [email protected], WeChat: SQE100), and we'll liaise on your behalf.
CELE internal course students should contact customer services directly (email: [email protected], WeChat: SQE100), and we'll liaise on your behalf.
Action Checklist
A. Self-check if you haven't received a payment email
Confirm you're checking your registered SQE email address; search for keywords: SQE payment / request for payment / SQE Candidate Services; check spam/promotions folders.
Log into your account and verify all pre-booking steps are marked as "complete" (especially that the diversity survey has been reconfirmed to the latest version and RA questions have been answered).
Are you an RA applicant? If you haven't accepted your adjustments offer, complete this step first; then watch for the payment email or contact the SRA as instructed to complete payment.
B. What to do if you still haven't received an email or notice an error
Email or call SQE Candidate Services, explaining that you submitted the seat reservation form but haven't received a payment request, and ask them to check your allocation and delivery records.
If you failed to pay within 48 hours of receiving the email and your seat was cancelled, contact the SRA immediately to ask if any seats have been released; also monitor the 05/11–12/11 online booking window (limited spaces).
C. Want to register without having submitted a seat reservation form
Mark your calendar for the 05/11 10:00–12/11 17:00 online direct booking window; spaces are limited, so we recommend logging in promptly; RA candidates should not use this route.
Official Key Information
Important Dates & Process
● Payment request email window: 13/10/2025 10:00 – 04/11/2025 17:00 (UK time); complete payment within 48 hours of receipt; RA candidates may receive emails after 04/11.
● Rescheduling window: 05/11/2025 10:00 – 12/11/2025 17:00.
● Online booking window for those who didn't submit reservation form: 05/11/2025 10:00 – 12/11/2025 17:00 (limited spaces; not applicable to RA candidates).
● Exam weeks: FLK1: 12/01/2026–16/01/2026; FLK2: 19/01/2026–23/01/2026; Booking closing: 12/11/2025.
● Process reminder: Complete pre-booking steps → (reservation form) → await system allocation → receive payment email and pay within 48 hours → (if needed) adjust during rescheduling window; official "How to Book" step-by-step guidance is available separately.
Email Template – Ready to Use
Subject: SQE1 January 2026 – Payment Email Not Received (Seat Reservation Submitted)
Dear SQE Candidate Services,
I submitted the seat reservation form for SQE1 January 2026 within the deadline. I understand payment emails are being sent between 13 Oct and 4 Nov 2025 (UK time), but I have not received one yet.
Could you please check my seat allocation and confirm when I should expect the payment request?
My registered SQE email: [your email address]
Candidate number: [your candidate number]
Many thanks,
[your name]
Summary
● Submitted reservation form but haven't received payment email: Currently in the batch sending phase—not everyone has received theirs yet; note the 48-hour payment rule and special RA timing.
● Didn't submit reservation form/want to register again: Don't miss the 05/11–12/11 online booking window (limited spaces).
● For any issues, contact official customer services immediately.
● Didn't submit reservation form/want to register again: Don't miss the 05/11–12/11 online booking window (limited spaces).
● For any issues, contact official customer services immediately.
