UK CAS Number Guide (Student Visa Requirements)

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an electronic record from a UK-licensed student sponsor. You need its reference number to apply for a Student visa, but a CAS is not a visa or a promise of approval. Check your course and sponsor, meet the visa rules, and compare every CAS detail with your documents before applying.

A CAS application can feel like one more hurdle after securing an offer. Yet careful checks now may help you avoid a refusal, a missed start date, or costs tied to making a new application. I encourage students to treat the CAS as a document to verify, not just a number to copy.

The rules can change, so use current GOV.UK guidance when you apply. Your university’s international admissions or compliance team can confirm details about your CAS, but you remain responsible for meeting the visa requirements.

What a CAS is and who can issue one

A CAS is an electronic sponsorship record created by an education provider that is licensed to sponsor students under the UK Student route. It confirms details of your proposed study and gives you a reference for your visa application. It does not show that UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has approved your visa.

Before relying on an offer, check the Home Office register of licensed Student sponsors. Then ask the institution whether your particular course can be sponsored. A provider’s presence on the register does not, by itself, confirm that every course it offers qualifies.

Student visa eligibility depends on the course and your circumstances. The route commonly covers full-time courses at RQF level 3 or above, but different rules apply to some course types. Your sponsor should confirm that your course is eligible and explain any conditions you need to meet before it can assign a CAS.

A CAS is normally assigned after an eligible offer is made and the sponsor completes its checks. These may include confirming your identity, academic history, English-language evidence, finances, and any required deposit. The sponsor decides what it needs to see as part of its process.

A CAS is not a general offer letter. It links your visa application to one sponsor and one course. If your course, start date, or sponsor changes, contact the institution before applying rather than assuming that your existing CAS will still work.

How to get a CAS: the steps to follow

Getting a CAS means completing the sponsor’s requirements so it can create your electronic record. The exact process differs by institution, but the same basic order helps: check eligibility, meet offer conditions, provide accurate documents, and review the CAS information before you submit a visa application.

1. Check the sponsor and course. Confirm the provider is on the licensed Student sponsor register. Ask the provider whether your course and study mode are eligible for sponsorship.

2. Meet your offer conditions. This may mean providing final qualifications, English evidence, or other documents. Do not assume that an offer is unconditional unless your institution confirms it.

3. Follow the sponsor’s CAS process. Accept the offer and complete any requested form. Pay a deposit only through the institution’s official process, and confirm how the payment will be recorded.

4. Provide information that matches your passport and records. Check the spelling of your name, date of birth, passport number, course details, and study dates. Tell the sponsor promptly if something has changed.

5. Review the CAS statement. Your sponsor should provide information about the CAS for you to check. Ask for corrections before using it if a key detail is wrong.

6. Apply within the permitted window. You can apply no earlier than six months before the course start date from outside the UK, or three months before it from inside the UK. In-country switching rules and other eligibility conditions still apply.

A CAS must be used within six months of its assignment, and it is normally for one visa application. Do not leave the application until the CAS is close to expiring. If it expires or your plans change, ask your sponsor whether it can assign a new one.

What to check on your CAS and visa application

The CAS and your supporting evidence should tell a consistent story about who you are, what you will study, and how the costs will be covered. Review the details before applying. If a mistake appears on the CAS, ask the sponsor to correct it rather than trying to explain a mismatch in your application.

Your CAS does not replace the documents UKVI may require. Depending on your circumstances, you may need evidence of funds, qualifications, English ability, or other information. Follow the current document checklist and application form. Do not assume that information on a CAS automatically proves every part of your eligibility.

Funds for tuition and living costs

Financial evidence can be a common source of avoidable problems. Unless an exemption applies, you generally need to show unpaid course fees for the relevant period and living costs for up to nine months. The published monthly figures are £1,483 in London and £1,136 outside London; check current GOV.UK rates before applying, as figures can change.

Funds usually need to be held for 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period no more than 31 days before your application date. The required amount must remain available throughout that 28-day period. Check the rules for the type of account and evidence you plan to use.

The amount due for tuition may depend on the course and what you have already paid. Compare your payment records with the fee information shown on the CAS. If a payment is missing or listed incorrectly, contact the sponsor before you apply. Some applicants may qualify for an exemption or different evidence arrangements, so check the current rules for your case.

Academic and English-language evidence

You must meet the sponsor’s entry requirements and any English-language requirement that applies to your course and visa application. There is no single test score or academic grade that applies to every applicant. Ask your sponsor which evidence it accepts and whether it has assessed your English.

For degree-level study, an eligible higher education provider may assess whether your English meets the required standard. That does not mean every applicant is exempt from showing evidence. Your course, sponsor, previous study, and personal circumstances can affect what is needed. Use your sponsor’s instructions and current UKVI guidance rather than relying on another student’s experience.

Common CAS problems and how to prevent them

A CAS problem is often a mismatch or a timing issue that can be found before the visa application is sent. A short review of your passport, CAS, fee record, and financial evidence can help you spot errors early. If you are unsure, ask the sponsor or check official guidance before submitting.

A representative scenario, not a named applicant: imagine a student whose passport has been renewed after the university began preparing the CAS. If the CAS contains old passport details, the student should tell the sponsor and ask what correction is needed before applying. Copying the old details into the visa form would not resolve the mismatch.

Another common risk is using financial evidence that seems sufficient on the application date but does not meet the full holding-period or evidence-date rules. Check both: the balance must meet the requirement throughout the required period, and that period must end within the permitted time before you apply.

Use this final check before submitting:

• The sponsor and course are eligible for Student-route sponsorship.
• Your CAS is within its six-month use period.
• Your application date falls within the permitted window.
• Your identity and course details match your documents.
• Fees paid and still due are recorded correctly.
• Your financial evidence meets the amount, holding-period, and date rules, if required.
• You have followed the current document checklist and application instructions.

A CAS does not guarantee a visa, and a visa decision is separate from the sponsor’s admission decision. Make travel plans only after checking your application outcome and the conditions attached to your permission. Follow your sponsor’s instructions for enrolment and attendance after arrival, and keep track of your visa expiry date.

After the CAS: visa application and study responsibilities

After you receive your CAS, use its reference in your online Student visa application and provide the evidence required for your situation. You may also need to complete identity checks, biometrics, or other steps requested during the process. Follow the instructions given after submission and keep copies of your application and documents.

A Student visa is permission to study under specific conditions. Read the decision carefully, including the dates and any work conditions. Keep your contact details up to date with your institution, attend as required, and tell your sponsor about changes that may affect your course or study status.

If you need to extend your stay or change your course, do not assume that your current permission covers the change. Check the rules and speak with your sponsor before taking action. A future Graduate route application is a separate process with its own eligibility requirements; a CAS or Student visa does not guarantee eligibility for it.

Frequently asked questions about CAS numbers

These answers cover common points, but your course and circumstances may affect the steps you need to take. For a decision about a particular CAS, check the sponsor’s guidance. For current visa rules, use GOV.UK rather than an older checklist or an informal estimate.

Is a CAS the same as a UK Student visa?
No. A CAS is a sponsor’s electronic record and reference for your application. UKVI makes the visa decision.

Can I apply for a Student visa without a CAS?
You generally need a valid CAS for a Student visa application. Contact your sponsor if you do not have one or cannot use it.

How long is a CAS valid?
Use it within six months of its assignment. Check the assignment date and ask your sponsor if it has expired or your plans have changed.

Can I use one CAS more than once?
A CAS is normally used for one visa application. Ask your sponsor what to do if an application is refused or you need to apply again.

When can I apply for my Student visa?
From outside the UK, you can apply no earlier than six months before your course starts. From inside the UK, the limit is three months before the start date, subject to in-country rules.

How much money do I need to show?
Unless an exemption applies, you generally need unpaid course fees for the relevant period plus living costs for up to nine months. Check current GOV.UK rates and how they apply to your course location.

How long must the money be in my account?
Usually, funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, and the end of that period must be within 31 days before your application. Check the current evidence rules for your account and circumstances.

What should I do if my CAS has an error?
Contact your sponsor and request a correction before applying. Check that the corrected details match your passport and other evidence.

Does having a CAS mean my visa will be approved?
No. You must still meet the Student visa requirements and provide the required information. UKVI makes the final decision.

What if my course or start date changes?
Tell your sponsor before applying. It can confirm whether your CAS needs to be corrected or replaced, and whether your application timing is still valid.

Before you submit, check the licensed sponsor register, current Student visa and financial-evidence guidance on GOV.UK, and the CAS details with your institution. That final review can help you avoid preventable errors and keep your plans on track.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)