• study in the UK

CAS letter in the UK

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  • By:CANAM Group
  • Updated On:Apr 11,2023 01:49 PM IST

The importance of a CAS letter can not be ignored as it is essential to apply for a Visa to study in the UK. It is a letter issued by the institution that you have applied to, and it is counted as one of the crucial documents for a UK visa application.

CAS letter in the UK


Applying for study abroad is a tedious task as it involves filling out the application form, proving language proficiency in English, framing a personal essay, and several other formalities. Many essential documents are required at this time, among which acquiring the CAS letter is an important one. It is a letter issued by the institute that a student applies to and is counted as one of the crucial documents for visa application in the UK.
Read further to know everything about CAS: 

What is CAS letter UK Visa?

CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is a document issued by the academic institute that accepts your application. The letter carries a unique number presenting details of the institute that agrees to be the sponsor of the applicant's Tier 4 visa.

Who needs a CAS?
Any candidate who needs a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK requires this letter. It is comprehensive in nature and provides UKVI (UK Visa and Immigration), a thorough detail about your candidature, the selected program, and the institute you have enrolled in.

General CAS letter issuing procedure:
The CAS statement is sent to you by the institute by email. It is not needed for your Tier 4 visa application. Still, it gives information about your course, sponsor, and money required to complete the Tier 4 visa application form.

The CAS statement provides the following information:
  • 14-digit reference number for the CAS
  • Sponsor License Number (SLN) of the university where you wish to study
  • Title of the course
  • Tuition fees for the first year or the entire course
  • Start and end dates of the course
  • Any tuition fee that has already been paid to the university by you
  • Any accommodation fees that the candidate has already paid
  • English language ability, i.e. IELTS or TOEFL scores
How to apply for a student visa after receiving a CAS number?
International students are issued a CAS letter and reference number from the university after they accept the university offer and pay the deposit amount for the program. Once students get the CAS letter, they can apply for a student visa application.

Every university follows a different procedure. Once the offer is accepted, the university, on behalf of the student, contact the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) for the CAS number and verifies that the student is accepted by the institute.

UKVI issues the CAS number to the respective university which then issues the same to the student. Many universities automatically issue the CAS letter after the offer is accepted and the fee is deposited whereas, some universities ask students to register on the official website and then obtain the letter.

Documents Required for CAS
To receive the CAS letter without any obstacles, make sure to submit some documents during the application process. You will have to submit mark sheets or transcripts of the previous UG or PG course along with an updated passport. Your CAS number will be issued only after verification of all such documents.

CAS letter processing time in the UK
The CAS letter is generally issued on a first-come-first-served basis. Because of this, the students who have submitted their applications at an early date will be given priority. The university will check the documents provided by the students, and once confirmed, you will secure the letter in 2-3 business days (it can take a few days more). Though CAS is an important document, there is no fixed time duration that a university takes to release it.

How to check my CAS status?
Applicants can track the progress of their CAS status by logging into the Applicant Portal.

CAS letter delay
There are various reasons which can lead to CAS letter delay. It is essential to carefully complete all the formalities to receive the letter on time. Some reasons which can cause a delay in the issue of a CAS letter are:
  • Not enough time left to apply for the Tier 4 visa.
  • The student is unable to arrive at the university before the commencement of the course.
  • The applicant is enrolled in a part-time course.
  • Lack of required funds.
  • Submission of false documents.
  • The request for a CAS is filed after the deadline.

What to do in the case of delay in the CAS letter?
A CAS number is issued four months prior to the onset of the program. If there is a delay, the respective students can reach out to the university and know the reason for the same.

CAS rejection reasons
The most common reason for refusal is submitting false financial documents. In case of such an event applicant needs to submit new financial documents before a new CAS number can be issued.

The application process of taking admission to universities abroad can be an ambiguous task. Hopefully, this blog on the CAS letter was helpful to you.

To seek expert guidance on scholarship information, financial information or visa guidance related to studying abroad, get in touch with our experts at Canam, who will help you with the entire process.

FAQ

Yes, a CAS letter can be rejected in case any inconsistencies are found in the information submitted by the student.

Generally, the university sends the CAS letter in 2-3 business days after thoroughly verifying the documents provided by the student. However, there is no fixed time duration taken by a university to release it.

Although CAS is an important document in applying for a student visa in the UK, it does not guarantee a student visa.

After receiving the CAS letter, the student should begin the student visa application in their country, which often requires them to clear a pre-CAS interview.

Yes, candidates applying for a student visa in the UK need to pass the pre-CAS credibility interview before being issued a CAS. They'll be given two chances to clear the interview for each intake, and if they fail the interview for a particular intake, they are asked to join the next available intake.

Quite a few applications get refused if the applicants enter incorrect information, fail to clear the pre-CAS interview, or present insufficient funds.

For the application for a student visa in the UK, CAS is an essential document in the process.

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