One-line direct answer
A CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is a 14-digit reference number issued by a UK university confirming your enrolment; it’s required for your student visa application, valid for 6 months, and must match your passport details exactly.
What is a CAS and why do you need it
The CAS is not a document; it’s a reference number. When you’re offered a place at a UK university and confirm acceptance (usually by paying a deposit), the university’s international admissions office issues a CAS. This number is proof that:
- The university has accepted you as a student.
- You’ve met the course requirements (e.g. IELTS, A-Levels).
- You’ve paid a deposit or agreed to a payment plan.
- You’re bona fide (legitimate) and not applying fraudulently.
The CAS is unique to you and that university. You cannot use someone else’s CAS; it’s tied to your passport number and personal details.
Why it’s mandatory: The UK Home Office uses the CAS to verify that you have a legitimate place at a registered UK institution. Without a CAS, your student visa application will be refused. You cannot apply for a UK student visa without one.
When and how you receive your CAS
Timeline:
- You apply to a UK university via UCAS or directly to the university.
- The university makes an offer (conditional or unconditional).
- You accept the offer and pay a deposit (typically GBP 2,000–3,000 or equivalent to fees, depending on the university).
- The international office issues your CAS, usually within 5–10 working days of receiving your deposit.
How it’s issued: Most universities send the CAS via email. The email includes:
- A 14-digit CAS reference number (e.g., AB12CD34EF5678).
- A CAS letter or document confirming key details (your name, passport number, course name, course dates).
- Instructions on how to use it in your visa application.
Some universities use a portal: Instead of email, they may ask you to log into an online portal to view and download your CAS. Check your university’s email for instructions.
Paper copy: You do NOT need a printed CAS; the reference number alone is sufficient for your visa application. However, keep the CAS letter (email) for your records.
Critical details: accuracy and matching
Your CAS must match your passport exactly. Any discrepancies will cause visa refusal or delays. Check the following carefully:
Your full name: Must be exactly as it appears on your passport (including middle names, hyphens, spaces). If your university has your name wrong, ask them to correct it immediately.
Passport number: Must match your passport exactly. If your passport is new and you provided the old number to the university, update the CAS. Do NOT proceed with a mismatched passport number.
Date of birth: Must match your passport. If there’s a discrepancy, notify the university.
Passport expiry date: The CAS will often state your passport expiry date. Ensure it’s correct. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in the UK (typically valid until at least the end of your course).
Course start and end dates: These should align with your actual course (e.g. September 2026 – June 2029 for a 3-year bachelor’s). If dates are wrong, ask the university to issue a corrected CAS.
University name and code: The CAS will reference the university’s UKPRN (UK Provider Reference Number), a 8-digit identifier. The university name should match the official name (e.g. “University of Melbourne” NOT “University of Melbourne, Australia”; Melbourne is in Australia, not the UK, so ensure it’s a UK institution).
How to use your CAS in your visa application
When you apply for a UK student visa online via the UK Home Office portal (apply.visahumanrights.homeoffice.gov.uk), you’ll be asked to enter your CAS reference number. Here’s the process:
Step-by-step:
- Log into the online visa application portal (create an account if you don’t have one).
- Select “Student visa” as your visa type.
- Progress through the application answering questions about your identity, contact details, employment history, and education.
- When prompted, enter your 14-digit CAS reference number in the field labelled “CAS reference number” or “Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies reference.”
- The system will search the Home Office database and retrieve your CAS details automatically.
- Review the CAS information on screen to confirm it’s correct (name, passport number, course, dates).
- If the CAS pulls up correctly, proceed with the rest of your application.
- If the CAS is not found, double-check the reference number and ensure it’s typed correctly (no spaces, exactly as issued).
If the CAS doesn’t appear in the system: Contact your university’s international office immediately. The CAS may not have been registered with the Home Office yet (usually takes 24–48 hours), or the reference number may be incorrect.
Validity and expiry
A CAS is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. You must submit your visa application while the CAS is still valid.
Example: Your CAS is issued on 1 March 2026. You must lodge your visa application by 31 August 2026. If you apply on 1 September 2026, the CAS has expired, and your application will be refused.
In practice: Universities typically issue CAS early (March–May for September intake), giving you a 6-month window to apply. Most students apply within 1–3 months of receiving the CAS.
If your CAS expires before you apply: Contact your university and ask for a new CAS to be issued. This usually happens if you’ve delayed applying for some reason. The university can issue a revised CAS, but the process takes 5–10 working days.
Common mistakes with CAS applications
Mistake 1: Using an expired CAS You receive your CAS on 1 January, but don’t apply for your visa until 1 August (7+ months later). Your CAS has expired. You must request a new CAS from the university before applying.
Mistake 2: CAS reference number typos You enter “AB12CD34EF5678” but meant “AB12CD34EF5670” (swapped the last two digits). The system cannot find your CAS. Double-check the number before submitting.
Mistake 3: Name mismatch Your passport is under “Muhammad Ali Bin Rahman,” but the university has your name as “Ali Muhammad.” When you apply for a visa and the Home Office compares your application to the CAS, the names don’t match, and your application is refused. Correct this before applying; ask the university to issue a revised CAS with the correct name.
Mistake 4: Passport number mismatch You renewed your passport after receiving your CAS, but the CAS shows your old passport number. When you apply for the visa, you enter your new passport number. The visa officer will check the CAS and find the numbers don’t match, causing a refusal or delay. Before applying for the visa, notify the university of your new passport and ask for a CAS update.
Mistake 5: Applying before receiving the CAS Some students panic and try to apply for the visa before the university has issued a CAS. This is impossible; the system requires a valid CAS reference number. Wait until you receive your CAS before starting your visa application.
Mistake 6: Using someone else’s CAS A student tries to use a friend’s CAS because they haven’t received their own yet, or to rush the process. This is fraud. The CAS is tied to the person’s identity; using another person’s CAS will be detected and will result in visa refusal, cancellation, and a ban from future applications.
CAS updates and amendments
If any information on your CAS is incorrect after you’ve received it, contact your university’s international office immediately and request an amended CAS. Common reasons for amendments:
- Your name was misspelled.
- Your passport number was entered incorrectly.
- Your course dates are wrong.
- Your course name is not accurate.
- You’ve changed your passport since the CAS was issued.
The university can issue a corrected CAS (sometimes called a “revised CAS” or “amended CAS”) within 5–10 working days. When you apply for your visa, use the latest CAS reference number.
Note: Do NOT manually change any information on a CAS letter or email. The CAS reference number is what matters in the online system; the details are verified against the Home Office database. Any alterations to CAS documents are fraudulent and will be detected.
Malaysian pathway
STPM or A-Level students entering UK bachelor’s degree will receive their CAS from the university after paying a deposit. Typically, this is issued in May–July for a September intake. Once you have your CAS, begin your visa application immediately. Processing takes 8–12 weeks; applying by mid-July ensures a decision by September.
Master’s students often apply for a master’s programme and may be issued a CAS within 4–6 weeks of accepting their offer (after paying a deposit of GBP 2,000–3,000). For programmes starting in September, CAS is typically issued by late June. Apply for your visa immediately after receiving it.
Fast-track and pre-arrival enrolment: Some universities allow you to enrol and obtain a CAS before your visa is approved, which is helpful if your visa application is still being processed. Confirm with your university whether this is available.
Deposit and CAS timing: In Malaysia, students often experience delays in transferring deposits (due to banking processes). Allow 2–3 weeks for your deposit to reach the university’s bank account, then a further 1–2 weeks for the international office to process it and issue your CAS. Budget time accordingly if you’re applying close to the visa application deadline.
Common questions
Can I apply for a UK student visa without a CAS? No. A CAS is mandatory. Without it, your application will be rejected before being assessed. You cannot proceed without a valid CAS from a registered UK institution.
If I have two offers from two universities, can I use either CAS for my visa application? No. You can only use the CAS from the university you’ve actually accepted. If you’ve accepted University A and paid a deposit, use University A’s CAS. If you’ve also received an offer from University B but haven’t accepted it, you cannot use University B’s CAS.
What if my university issues me a CAS but then I decide to defer my place to the following year? Contact the university’s international office and explain your deferral. The university will typically cancel the CAS and issue a new CAS for your deferred start date. You’ll use the new CAS for your visa application the following year.
Do I need to bring my CAS letter or email to the UK when I arrive? No. You do NOT need to bring a physical CAS document to the UK. Your visa approval is proof that your CAS was valid. However, it’s good practice to keep the CAS email in your records in case there are questions at the border.
Can the university issue a CAS without me paying a full deposit? Usually no. Universities typically require a deposit (often GBP 2,000–3,000 or a percentage of fees) before issuing a CAS. This is proof you’re serious about attending. Some universities may accept a payment plan, but a commitment is needed before CAS is issued.
If I lose my CAS reference number, can the university reissue it? Yes. Contact your university’s international office and ask them to resend your CAS information or provide your CAS reference number again. They can retrieve it from their records. Ensure you save a copy in a safe place.
What if the CAS shows my course starts in October, but I want to start in January (spring intake)? This would indicate an error. Contact the university immediately and ask for a corrected CAS reflecting a January start date. Course start dates are crucial; visa officers will verify your actual course dates against the CAS.
Sources
- UK Home Office — gov.uk/student-visa (UK student visa requirements and CAS information)
- UK Visas and Immigration — apply.visahumanrights.homeoffice.gov.uk (online visa application portal)
- British Council — britishcouncil.org.my (CAS and UK student visa guidance for Malaysian students)
- UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) — ukcisa.org.uk (student visa support and CAS explained)
Visa and CAS requirements change occasionally. Verify current CAS procedures and student visa criteria at gov.uk before applying.