What is a CAS for a UK Student visa?
A CAS is the electronic sponsorship record issued by a licensed education provider after it offers an eligible course place.
Reviewed 11 August 2026 by the KR Services editorial team · Verify current requirements on GOV.UK
What the CAS does
- It provides the reference number entered in the Student visa application.
- It records information about the course, sponsor, fees, payments and how requirements such as English were assessed.
- It is not a paper visa and does not guarantee that UKVI will grant the application.
Before applying
- Compare the name, passport details, course title, start and end dates and study location with the applicant's records.
- Check the tuition fee and any qualifying payment shown on the CAS.
- Ask the sponsor to correct an error before submitting rather than guessing or entering conflicting information.
Timing
- The visa application must normally be made within 6 months of the CAS being issued.
- Separate rules determine how early an applicant may apply before the course starts.
- A CAS can normally support only one application and may become unusable after a refusal, withdrawal or grant; confirm status with the sponsor.
CAS and other evidence
- A CAS does not automatically remove every document requirement.
- Financial evidence, ATAS, TB testing, parental consent or financial-sponsor consent may still apply depending on the case.
- For degree-level study, a qualifying higher education provider may assess English itself and record this on the CAS.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Check the current GOV.UK rules
GOV.UK and the official application determine the final evidence and charges.