CAS Explained: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is the single most important document in a UK Student visa application. It is worth 50 of the 70 points you need, and every other part of your application is checked against it. Getting a detail wrong on the CAS can cost you a refusal and the full application fee.
What a CAS actually is
A CAS is not a paper certificate. It is an electronic record your sponsor creates on the Home Office system, and what you receive is a CAS reference number — a unique alphanumeric code — usually alongside a statement listing the details held against it. You enter that number in your visa application, and the Home Office retrieves the record directly from your institution.
What information the CAS holds
- Your personal details: full name, date of birth, nationality and passport number
- Your sponsor's name and sponsor licence number
- Your course title, qualification level (RQF) and study mode
- Course start and end dates
- Total tuition fees for the first year, and any fees or accommodation payments you have already made
- Details of the qualifications the sponsor used to assess your offer
- How your English language ability was assessed
- Whether an ATAS certificate is required for your course
Two rules that catch people out
- A CAS is valid for six months from the date it is assigned. Apply within that window or it lapses.
- A CAS can be used once only. If your application is refused or withdrawn, that CAS is spent. You must ask your sponsor for a new one before reapplying — they are not obliged to issue it, and many will review your case first.
You also cannot apply more than six months before your course start date (three months if you are applying from inside the UK).
When you will receive it
Sponsors issue a CAS only after you hold an unconditional offer — every academic and English condition met — and usually after you have paid a tuition deposit. Most universities issue CAS numbers around three to four months before the course starts. Because the CAS both expires after six months and cannot be used before the six-month application window, there is little benefit in chasing it very early.
Check these details the moment you receive it
Corrections are quick and free before you apply, and impossible afterwards. Verify that:
- Your name matches your passport exactly, including the order of given and family names
- Your passport number is correct and the passport is the one you will apply with
- Your date of birth and nationality are right
- The course dates and title match your offer letter
- The fees already paid are recorded — this directly reduces the money you must show for the financial requirement
- Any accommodation payment to the institution is shown (up to £1,865 can be deducted)
- The ATAS field is correct for your course
If anything is wrong, contact your international office before submitting. A mismatch between your CAS and your documents is a routine refusal reason.
Can a sponsor withdraw a CAS?
Yes. A sponsor can withdraw a CAS if your circumstances change — for example if you fail to meet an offer condition, decline the place, or do not pay the deposit. If your institution loses its sponsor licence, any CAS it issued becomes invalid; this is why it is worth confirming your institution's status on its university profile or in the sponsor list shortly before you apply, not just when you accept the offer.
After you use it
Once your visa is granted, the CAS has done its job. Keep the reference number and the CAS statement: your institution will ask for them at enrolment, and you may need them if you later extend your visa or apply for the Graduate visa.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a CAS valid for?
Six months from the date your sponsor assigns it. You must submit your visa application within that period, and no earlier than six months before your course start date.
Can I use the same CAS number twice?
No. Each CAS can be used for one visa application only. If your application is refused or withdrawn, you must ask your institution to issue a new CAS before you can reapply.
When will my university give me a CAS?
After you hold an unconditional offer and have normally paid a tuition deposit. Most universities issue a CAS around three to four months before the course start date.
What should I do if there is a mistake on my CAS?
Contact your institution's international office immediately and ask them to correct it before you submit your visa application. Mismatches between the CAS and your passport or documents are a common refusal reason, and the CAS cannot be corrected after you apply.
Does a CAS guarantee my visa will be approved?
No. A CAS provides 50 of the 70 points, but you must still meet the financial, English language and general suitability requirements, and provide any additional documents such as an ATAS or TB certificate.
Related guides
Check your institution first
Only a licensed sponsor can issue the CAS your visa depends on.
Figures on this page are taken from official GOV.UK guidance and were last reviewed on 31 July 2026. This is general information, not immigration advice — always confirm details on GOV.UK or with a regulated immigration adviser before applying.