UK Student Visa CAS: Your Complete Guide to Confirmation of Acceptance

What is a CAS and Why It’s Critical for Your UK Student Visa

Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is not just another piece of paperwork—it’s the foundation of your entire UK student visa application. Think of it as your university’s official guarantee to the UK government that you’re a legitimate student with a genuine place on their course.

What this means for you: Without a valid CAS, your student visa application cannot proceed. It’s legally required under UK immigration law, and the Home Office uses it to verify every detail of your academic plans.

The CAS is a unique electronic document (not a physical certificate) that contains a 14-character reference number. This number links directly to your university’s Student Sponsor Management System, allowing visa officers to access your complete academic and financial profile instantly.

Real insight from AVID experts: Many applicants think the CAS is just a formality once they have their university offer. In reality, it’s where most visa applications succeed or fail. The information on your CAS must be absolutely perfect—any discrepancy between your CAS and supporting documents can lead to immediate refusal.

Your university acts as your sponsor, taking legal responsibility for your presence in the UK as a student. This isn’t just administrative—it means they’ve verified your academic credentials, English language ability, and financial capacity according to Home Office standards.

How to Obtain Your CAS: The Step-by-Step Process

University Application and Offer Acceptance

Your CAS journey begins with securing an unconditional offer from a UK university. Here’s what really happens behind the scenes:

Step 1: Complete University Application Most universities require your application through UCAS (undergraduate) or directly (postgraduate). But here’s what most guides won’t tell you: your university’s international office starts building your CAS profile from the moment you apply.

Step 2: Meet All Offer Conditions Your offer must be unconditional before CAS issuance. This means:

• Academic qualifications verified and accepted
• English language requirements met (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
• Any specific course prerequisites satisfied

What this means for you: Don’t request your CAS until every single condition is met. Universities cannot issue a CAS for conditional offers, and requesting one prematurely flags you as unfamiliar with the process.

Financial Evidence and Documentation

Step 3: Provide Financial Documentation Your university needs to verify you can afford both tuition and living costs. Required documents typically include:

• Bank statements (usually 28 days of consecutive statements)
• Official financial sponsorship letters
• Scholarship confirmation letters
• Loan approval documents

Real mistake we’ve seen—and how to avoid it: Students often provide financial documents that don’t meet the strict 28-day rule. Your bank statements must show the required funds for at least 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before your CAS request.

Step 4: Submit CAS Request Once all conditions are met, formally request your CAS through your university’s student portal or international office. Include:

• Passport biographical page
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• English language test results
• Financial evidence
• Completed CAS request form

If you’re applying from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, or Bangladesh: Your university may require additional verification steps due to higher document fraud rates in these regions. Allow extra time for this process.

Timeline Considerations

Step 5: CAS Processing Time Most universities issue CAS within 5-10 working days, but this varies significantly:

• Russell Group universities: 3-7 days
• Other universities: 5-15 days
• Peak seasons (June-September): Add 5-10 extra days

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Submit your CAS request at least 3 weeks before you plan to apply for your visa. This buffer allows time to correct any issues without delaying your visa application.

Understanding Your CAS Information Breakdown

Your CAS contains critical information that must align perfectly with your visa application and supporting documents. Here’s what each section means:

Personal Details Verification

• Full name (exactly as on passport)
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Passport number
• Previous UK immigration history

Real mistake we’ve seen—and how to avoid it: Even small discrepancies like “Mohammed” vs “Muhammad” or missing middle names can cause visa refusals. Double-check everything matches your passport exactly.

Course Information Details

• Course title and level
• Start and end dates
• Study location
• Course fees
• Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requirements (if applicable)

What this means for you: The course dates on your CAS determine your visa validity period. If these dates change after CAS issuance, you’ll need a new CAS—the old one becomes invalid.

Financial Assessment Data

• Total course fees
• Fees already paid
• Living cost assessment
• Accommodation arrangements
• Dependents (if applicable)

If you’re applying from outside London: Your living cost assessment will be £1,023 per month. For London-based studies, it’s £1,334 per month. This isn’t negotiable—it’s set by UK immigration law.

Sponsor Details and Responsibilities

• University’s license number
• Authorized signatory information
• Sponsor contact details
• Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) reference (if required)

CAS Validity and Critical Restrictions

Validity Period Limitations

Your CAS is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance. This might seem like plenty of time, but here’s what most applicants don’t realize:

What this means for you: You must submit your visa application within 6 months of your CAS date. If it expires, you’ll need to request a new CAS, which can delay your entire application timeline.

Real insight from AVID experts: Don’t request your CAS too early. If you get it in January for a September course start, but don’t apply for your visa until July, your CAS will have expired.

Single-Use Nature

Each CAS can only be used for one visa application. If your visa is refused, your CAS becomes invalid, and you’ll need a new one for any reapplication.

If you’re applying from countries with high refusal rates: This single-use rule makes getting your application right the first time even more critical. Countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bangladesh often see refusal rates above 30%.

Transfer and Amendment Restrictions

You cannot transfer your CAS to:

• A different university
• A different course (even at the same university)
• A different course start date
• A different study location

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Before requesting your CAS, be absolutely certain about your course choice, start date, and study location. Changes after CAS issuance require starting the entire process over.

Common CAS Issues and How to Resolve Them

Information Discrepancies

Issue: Details on your CAS don’t match your supporting documents. Real example: Your passport shows “John Michael Smith” but your CAS shows “John Smith.” Solution: Contact your university’s CAS team immediately. They can issue an amended CAS if the error is on their end.

Delayed Issuance Problems

Issue: Your CAS is taking longer than expected. Common causes:

• Incomplete financial documentation
• Unverified academic credentials
• Missing English language results
• University system backlogs during peak periods

What this means for you: Follow up proactively with your university. Don’t wait for them to contact you about missing documents.

University Communication Breakdown

Issue: Your university stops responding to CAS requests or queries. Resolution strategy:

1. Contact the international office directly
2. Escalate to the admissions team
3. Use official university complaint procedures
4. Contact the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) if necessary

Real mistake we’ve seen—and how to avoid it: Students often email generic addresses like info@university.ac.uk. Always use the specific CAS or international student contact provided by your university.

Financial Documentation Rejection

Issue: Your bank statements or financial evidence don’t meet Home Office requirements. Common problems:

• Statements not covering 28 consecutive days
• Insufficient funds shown
• Documents not in English
• Unclear source of funds

If you’re applying from India: Ensure your bank statements are on official letterhead with bank stamps. Plain online statements are often rejected.

CAS and Your Visa Application: Perfect Alignment

Application Timing Strategy

Submit your student visa application no earlier than 3 months before your course start date. But here’s the critical timing insight most miss:

What this means for you: Your CAS must be valid when you submit your visa application AND when it’s processed. Given current processing times of 3-6 weeks, ensure your CAS won’t expire during this period.

Supporting Documentation Consistency

Every document you submit must align with your CAS information:

• Passport details must match exactly
• Financial evidence must show the amounts referenced in your CAS
• Academic documents must correspond to your course entry requirements
• English language certificates must match the test scores on your CAS

Real insight from AVID experts: Visa officers cross-reference your CAS with every supporting document. Inconsistencies, even minor ones, can trigger additional scrutiny or refusal.

Course Start Date Flexibility

Your visa will typically be valid from 1 month before your course start date (as shown on your CAS) until the end of your course plus 2-4 months (depending on course length).

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: If you’re unsure about your exact arrival date, don’t ask your university to adjust your CAS start date. The 1-month buffer before course start gives you flexibility.

CAS Information Checker

Before submitting your visa application, verify these critical CAS details:

✅ Personal Information

• Full name matches passport exactly
• Date of birth is correct
• Nationality is accurate
• Passport number is current

✅ Course Details

• Course title is exactly as you applied
• Start and end dates are realistic
• Study location is correct
• Course level matches your qualifications

✅ Financial Information

• Total fees are accurate
• Payments already made are reflected
• Living cost assessment is correct for your location
• Dependent costs included if applicable

✅ Validity Check

• CAS is less than 6 months old
• Course start date is within 3 months
• All supporting documents align with CAS information

University Contact Directory for CAS Support

Russell Group Universities

Most Russell Group universities have dedicated CAS teams:

• Contact method: Student portal messaging system
• Response time: 2-5 working days
• Escalation: International office direct phone lines

Other UK Universities

• Contact method: Email to international office
• Response time: 5-10 working days
• Escalation: Admissions team or student services

Emergency CAS Support

If your course starts within 4 weeks and you’re experiencing CAS delays:

1. Contact your university’s student services directly
2. Explain the urgency of your situation
3. Request expedited processing
4. Get written confirmation of new timelines