What is CAS Letter for UK? Documents, Validity & Processing Time

A CAS letter typically refers to a "Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies" letter. It's a document issued by a university or educational institution in the United Kingdom for international students who have been accepted into a specific course or program of study in that particular institution.

A CAS letter is also often called an offer letter to study in UK. This letter is a crucial part of the UK student visa application process, as it serves as proof of your acceptance and outlines essential details about your course, fees, and other relevant information required for the visa application.

An international student can apply for UK student visa within 6 months after receiving a CAS letter. Generally, a UK CAS letter includes the following information:

• Full name of a student

• Date of Birth

• Student’s passport number

• Detailed information about the course for which the student is enrolled, such as name, duration, start and end dates

• Total tuition fees for the course

• Proof of financial support

• Details of the issuing university, such as names, address, and contact

• A 14-digit CAS reference number

• CAS letter’s validity period

• Terms and conditions for a UK student visa to immigrate to UK

This list highlights certain vital documents required for CAS letter in UK:

• All academic mark sheets and degree certificates

• An Academic Technology Approval Scheme(ATAS) certificate

• Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate

• Financial Documents

• Updated passport

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a CAS letter in UK:

• Receive an Unconditional Offer: To obtain a CAS letter, you must first receive an unconditional offer of a place from a UK educational institution. This offer confirms that you have met all the academic and English language requirements for the course you intend to study.

• Pay any Required Deposits: Some institutions may require you to pay a deposit or partial tuition fee before they issue your CAS letter.

• Provide Required Information: Your institution will request specific information and documents to issue your CAS letter in UK. Typically, they will ask for your passport details, previous academic qualifications and transcripts, proof of English language proficiency, and financial documents.

• Complete the CAS Application Form: Some institutions may require you to fill out a CAS application form online. Hence, follow the instructions provided by your institution to complete this form accurately.

• Wait for CAS Issuance: After you've provided all the required information and documents, your institution will review your application and documentation. They will then issue your CAS letter.

• Receive Your CAS Letter: Once your UK CAS letter is ready, your institution will send it to you electronically, usually by email. Ensure that all the information on the CAS letter is accurate, including your personal details, course details, and the CAS number. 

Once you have received your CAS letter for UK, carefully review your document to ensure no errors or discrepancies. If you find any issues, contact your institution immediately to have them corrected.

With your CAS letter in hand, you can now proceed to apply for a UK student visa. Visit the official UK government website to start the visa application process. You'll need to complete the online visa application form, pay the visa fee, and attend a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Center (VAC) in your home country. Also, prepare Supporting Documents for Visa Application.

After applying for a visa, students have to appear for a Visa Interview. So, be prepared to answer questions about your study plans and provide additional information if requested.

After the interview, students might have to visit the immigration office for biometrics and wait for the visa to be processed and approved.

Once your student visa is approved, you can make travel arrangements to the UK. Make sure to arrive in the UK before your course start date, as indicated on your CAS letter.

A CAS letter typically has a validity period, which is usually six months from the date of issue. This means that you must apply for your student visa within this timeframe. If your UK CAS letter expires, you must request a new one from your institution. 

The CAS letter processing time in UK can vary depending on the institution and the time of year.

After receiving an unconditional offer, you may need to formally accept it by paying a deposit or following specific instructions provided by the institution.

Once you accept the offer and provide all required documents and information, your institution will issue the CAS letter. This can take several weeks, so apply early to avoid delays.

In the UK, you can get CAS letters from many universities. If you do receive CAS letters from several universities, you must choose which one you want to attend and use its CAS letter when requesting a UK student visa.

There can only be one CAS letter for UK, which can be used to apply for a student visa.

The UK universities still need to establish a set period for processing CAS letters. The university issues the letters based on the date when the application form was submitted. As a result, you might receive the CAS letter as soon as you submit your application.

After verifying the information in the statement, most colleges typically require up to 10 days to send the CAS Number. You can contact the admissions committee if you don't get the CAS Number in 20 days.

Q: Do we have to pay for a CAS letter from the university?

A: Yes, we do have to pay a certain set amount to the university in order to get a CAS letter. Every university sets a different amount for the CAS letter. However, the amount of the CAS letter is ultimately included in the tuition fee.

Q: Does CAS Guarantee UK Visa?

A: No, CAS does not guarantee a UK visa. A CAS letter is just an acceptance from the university in which you are planning to enroll, whereas, for a UK student visa, you might be asked for certain other requirements.

Q: Is an interview compulsory for the CAS letter?

A: It is not mandatory that each and every student will undergo an interview for a CAS. Some universities may take a pre-CAS interview to assess the authenticity of a candidate.

Remember that the process of obtaining a CAS letter and a UK student visa can be complex and may vary slightly depending on your institution and circumstances. Therefore, it's crucial to start this process well in advance of your course start date to allow for any potential delays and ensure a smooth transition to studying in the UK.

Contact our efficient counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC) for detailed information on this topic. If you are unable to travel to our offices, we offer online counselling services via our website. Our dedicated counsellors will provide you with the best guidance regarding your application to study in UK.

Apart from this, our expert counsellors will also assist in the visa process for your successful study abroad journey. Don't hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or call us at 1800-1230-00011.