About the CAS letter for the UK

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a pre-requisite electronic document that is issued by your education provider to support your student visa application for the UK. 

If you are an international student, you are required to attain a CAS letter from a UK-based academic institution before you can submit your application for a student visa. This is because the student visa is only granted once a student has accepted an offer and made the mentioned deposit.

The CAS letter generally comprises of all your basic details such as the name of your university, your course of study, study duration, and a CAS number that is unique to you. This is what it looks like:

As seen in the sample CAS letter above, you will find the following details covered in your CAS letter:

• 14-digit CAS reference number

• Course title and duration

• English language proficiency tests scores (like IELTS scores)

• Sponsor License Number (SLN) of your desired university

• First-year tuition fees or the entire course fee including scholarships if any

• Partial tuition fees paid to the university

• Partial accommodation fees paid

Do you still have questions regarding the CAS letter? Get in touch with your certified IDP counsellor now and get the help you need.

The CAS number, which is 14 digits long, is unique to each student. It serves as a reference for the UKVI (UK Visas & Immigration) to confirm that the applicant is a genuine international student enrolled in a UK academic institution.

This number stores all your details on secure databases which are mutually accessible to the university you enrol in and the UKVI. These details are accessed during your visa application process to cross-reference your personal information.

In order to apply for your CAS letter, there are certain requirements that you need to meet. These requirements must be met by submitting the following documents:

• Academic transcripts and marksheets

• Valid documents and credentials

• Updated passport

The CAS letter is valid for six months, but it is possible to utilise it three months before your course of study begins.

These are the requirements you must fulfill in order to apply for a CAS:

• You must meet all the mandatory requirements that are mentioned in your conditional offer letter

• Lodge all your academic and other relevant documents on the university website

• Confirm your admission after paying the initial deposit

In general, CAS letter applications are entertained within 90 working days of the official starting date of the study program. However, if you have been granted an extension request by your university for your case to be treated specially, it can be delayed.

The UK CAS letter is usually issued on a first come first served basis. It is considered a safe practice to apply for your CAS letter as early as possible. It’s important to note that there is no fixed period; it mostly depends on the university.

It is possible for you to receive CAS letters from multiple UK universities, but you will have to choose one of them for your visa application process.

Here’s a word of advice: Any errors or inconsistencies in the information provided by the university for your CAS letter may result in your student visa request being denied. This is because the CAS letter plays an integral part in the approval phase of your visa application.

So, make sure to double-check all the details so that you can file a thoroughly sound visa application.

If you’re seeking expert advice to avoid making any mistakes, you can do just that by booking a free consultation appointment with one of IDP’s certified education counsellors to answer all your questions.