What is the CAS Letter for Studying in the UK?
CAS letter full form is Confirmation of Acceptance. It is a formal document issued by the university you have applied to.
A CAS letter is needed for visa applications and the immigration process. While applying for a visa, it acts as proof that the university has accepted your application and you’re eligible for a UK study visa.
Universities usually take some time to issue the letter and it may hinder your visa application. Hence, it is advisable to always take care of the deadlines and cas letter processing time while applying for it.
How to Get a CAS Letter from a UK University?
Many universities in the UK issue CAS letters on their own without making any application while some universities may ask you to formally apply for it.
Universities in the UK generally have a separate portal where students can log in and apply for the CAS letter or if there’s no such portal, students need to apply to universities directly. Follow these basic steps to get a CAS letter from your university:
- Step 1: Apply online, fill out the application form and submit it at the portal or submit the form directly to the university along with the applicable fees.
- Step 2: Once you submit the application, the university will acknowledge the submission and may ask for some additional information.
- Step 3: Provide all the required information such as your personal details (name, nationality, etc.), course-related information, and proof of finance (Required for completing your studies)
Once these steps are completed, the university will issue your CAS letter in 10-15 working days if they are satisfied with your application.
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Why Is a CAS Letter Important?
While studying abroad, the CAS letter plays a very important role. You need a CAS letter for the visa application and the immigration process.
It acts as evidence that a student has bonafide reasons to go to a specific country for studies.
It is an electronically generated document issued by the university as a formal acceptance of the admission.
Documents Required for CAS Letter Application
Documents play a major role in applying for the CAS letter. It may lead to non-issuance or rejection of the application if the documents are not as per the requirements.
Usually, universities demand these documents for issuing the CAS letter:
| Academic Documents | 1. Letter of Recommendation (LOR) 2. Previous study record 3. Statement of Purpose (SOP) 4. ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme)- mandatory for science and technology courses. |
| Financial Documents | The university will ask for documents that should reflect your financial capability for completing your education. In the case of education loans, a related authority’s (bank manager, or any other official) statement is required. |
| TB Test Reports | A tuberculosis test report is demanded by many universities. Get your test done and submit the report to your university if they require the same. |
When to Apply for CAS Letter for Studying in the UK?
The application process for a CAS letter may differ among the universities. However, generally, you need to request for a CAS letter at least 90 days before the start of your study course. One important thing to note here is that there’s no option to apply for a CAS letter more than 6 months before the course begins.
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CAS Letter Processing Time
Once you apply to the university for the CAS Letter for Studying in the UK, it may take up to 15 days for the university to issue the letter. If you do not receive the letter within the mentioned time, you may need to drop an email to the university for the delay.
CAS Letter Validity
Once the letter is issued, the CAS number is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance. Once this period is gone, your CAS letter becomes invalid and you’ve to submit a fresh application to the university for issuing a new CAS Letter for Studying in the UK.
What Does the CAS Letter Contain?
Although it may depend on the university what information they include in the CAS letter. However, here’s some information that is common in the CAS letters issued by almost every university:
- CAS reference number
- Your details like name, passport number, and nationality
- University and course details
- Total amount of tuition fees and payments
- Sponsor License number (SLN)
- English language test scores
Any other specific information may also be included in the CAS Letter for Studying in the UK, if the university deems fit and necessary to mention it.
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How to Apply for a UK Student Visa After Receiving a CAS Letter?
Once you successfully receive your CAS Letter for Studying in the UK, the next step in line is to apply for a UK student visa.
Follow these steps to apply for the student visa:
- Step 1: Visit the official website of the UK visa application and create an account.
- Step 2: Fill in the student visa application for UK Student Visa (Tier 4 visa)
- Step 3: Pay visa application fees and Immigration health surcharge (IHS).
- Step 4: Once the fees are paid, book a biometric appointment which you need to attend in person.
- Step 5: Submit the required documents which may include a passport, CAS letter, proof of funds, academic qualifications, English language proficiency test results, and Tuberculosis (TB) test results.
Once all these steps are completed, you will receive a confirmation in your email about the issuance or rejection of your visa. It may take up to 3 weeks from the date of submission of your application.
How to Avoid Delay in Getting the CAS Letter?
It is very important to consider CAS letter processing time since it may delay the whole process of visa application. Keep these below-mentioned points in mind while applying for the CAS Letter for Studying in the UK:
- Always ensure that you arrange the documents in proper sequence and format as required by the university.
- It is advisable to use the latest documents- like photographs, financial documents, etc.
- Submit all the necessary documents on time. Any delay in submission may lead to cancellation or non-issuance of the CAS Letter for Studying in the UK.
What Happens to the CAS number if the Visa Application is Unsuccessful?
One CAS number can be used for one visa application only. If for any reason your visa application is unsuccessful, you have to apply to your university for a new CAS number.
Follow these steps to apply for a new CAS number:
- First things first, inform your university about the visa rejection and connect with the university’s international student support team or admissions committee for the solution.
- Once the concerned department of the university is satisfied about your requirement, they may ask you to apply for a new CAS number.
- Follow the steps mentioned above in the blog to apply for the new CAS number.
- Make sure that you’re adhering to the timelines.
Conclusion
CAS letter full form as mentioned above is a Confirmation of Acceptance– a very important document required to obtain a visa for your studies in the UK. Always ensure that you meet all the requirements as listed by your university so that you can prepare in advance.
Read the instructions carefully, and arrange all the necessary documents to avoid any delay or hassles in applying for the CAS Letter for Studying in the UK.
FAQs of CAS Letter for Studying in the UK –
When do UK universities start issuing the CAS letter for September intake?
The timeline for issuing the CAS letter is different for every university in the UK for the September intake. It generally takes 10-15 working days for the university to issue a CAS letter once the application is submitted.
How can I check my CAS letter status online?
Typically universities have a special portal dedicated to CAS letter issuance. Students are provided with credentials to log into the portal where they can track the CAS letter status. You can also reach out to the university via email if no such portal is available.
Do I need to deposit the full cost of study to get a CAS letter?
No. You generally need to pay some initial deposit to get a CAS letter.
Why is a UK student visa application rejected after getting a CAS letter?
UK student visa applications can get rejected after getting a CAS letter for multiple reasons. These can include a lack of documentation, a dispute in immigration history, insufficient financial support, etc.
What is the CAS letter processing time in the UK?
The CAS letter processing time in the UK is somewhere between 2-4 weeks. However, it may change depending on the university. It is advisable to check with your university.
What are the documents required for a CAS letter in the UK?
The general documentation required for a CAS letter includes a passport, qualification documents, English language proficiency tests as applicable, visa, immigration documents, etc.
Can I apply for a visa before receiving my CAS letter?
No. The UK home office has made it mandatory to have a CAS letter while applying for a visa.
How long does it take to process a CAS letter?
The CAS letter processing time in the UK is somewhere between 2-4 weeks. However, it may change depending on the university. It is advisable to check with your university.
How Much Time Does It Take to Get the CAS Letter?
It generally takes 2-4 weeks after successfully applying for the CAS letter.
How to Apply for a Student Visa After You Get the CAS Letter?
Once you have your CAS letter, apply for the visa on the UK visa and immigration services website. Pay the fees and choose an appointment for the biometric test. You can apply for a UK visa within 6 months of getting the CAS letter.
