Visa Letters No Longer Accepted
From 22nd February 2010, all student visa applications will require an electronic Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) reference number instead of the Visa Letter. Visa Letters will no longer be accepted.
Visa applications will be invalid without the CAS reference number. This is a UK Border Agency requirement, part of the Tier 4 student regulations.
How to obtain a CAS
- Request this from the Student Centre on your campus, at least one month before you send your Tier 4 visa application. Please bring with you:
- your passport so that we can ensure we have your correct passport number
- your qualifications used to join the course, if you have not yet received any official results letters for your course OR if your current visa was issued for a different course
- The cost of a CAS is £10 which you will need to pay when you make the request.
- The university submits an application for the CAS, to the UKBA sponsor management system, once your attendance and progress has been confirmed by your School*
- The university pays £10, to UKBA, for the CAS
- When the university receives the CAS they will email this to you with relevant information about your programme of study
- You will need to record this information on your Tier 4 visa application form and send this to the UKBA with the required documents, as detailed on the visa application form
* Under the new Tier 4 regulations the university is required to report, to the UK Border Agency, students who do not attend regularly.If you are ill for one week or more or have a personal reason for not being able to attend it is important you notify your Programme leader, personal tutor or School Office so that they can authorise your absence. This will prevent you being reported for non-attendance.
Completing your Tier 4 Visa Application
The International Student Advice Service runs visa application workshops on all campuses. Book in for one of these if you are uncertain how to complete the visa application form. You need to book one month before you send your application. Do not wait until your visa is about to expire.
Book in to an application workshop by visiting or contacting your campus Student Centre.
If you have a visa letter from your Student Centre and you will be making a visa application after 21st February ask your Student Centre for a CAS to replace the visa letter.