Your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) Number
Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Your CAS contains a number you need for your student visa application along with details about you and your course that will be matched to the information you supply when you apply for your visa. If you are an undergraduate or visiting student, your college will draft and submit your CAS; if you are a postgraduate student your department will draft and submit the CAS.
The Student Visa Compliance team will then process any submitted CAS requests each day and send you the finalised CAS by email. Your CAS number will be valid for 6 months to use for your visa application.
Please read the frequently asked questions below.
When will I receive my CAS?
You will need to meet all your academic and financial conditions before you can receive the CAS. Your college or department will contact you when they are ready to begin drafting your CAS. This will be three to six months before your course start date as long as you have met all your conditions.
How to check your draft CAS
You will receive an email from your college or department asking you to check the information in your draft CAS. It is difficult to amend your CAS after it is issued and any mistakes may delay your visa application so check it carefully. Check that the names in the CAS match your passport – see the FAQ below. You should also check the details about your previous qualifications, and that the course start and end date and fees information are correct.
After your CAS is issued- if you notice any errors or need to make changes
We can correct some minor errors by adding a 'sponsor note' live on the Home Office database, for example any middle names you did not tell us about or if your passport number has changed since the CAS was issued. You will not need a new CAS number.
We can also update course fees or university/college accommodation fees paid in advance, after your CAS is issued and before you have submitted your visa application (see FAQs below). This can be helpful for your application if you are required to provide evidence of your finances, see our application guide for students applying for a visa or our guide for those extending a visa in the UK to start another course in the UK.
If substantial changes need to be made, we may need to issue a new CAS so please check your draft CAS carefully.
Your CAS is valid to use for a visa application for six months, so if your CAS was issued more than six months ago and you have not applied for your visa you will need a new CAS number.
You will also need a new CAS number if your visa application is refused. But you do not need a new CAS number if your application is rejected as invalid (meaning it does not go through to consideration because the Home Office can see that there is something missing) or if you withdraw your application and reapply.