UK Student Visa CAS: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies Guide

Q: How long is my CAS valid for, and what happens if I miss the deadline?

Your **CAS** is valid for **six months** from the date of issuance. If you fail to submit your visa application within that window, you must request a new CAS from your university. The university may reissue a CAS if your offer is still valid, but you may need to provide updated documents such as new financial evidence.

Q: Exactly how much money must I show in my bank account for a 1-year master’s at a non-London university?

For a **non-London** university, you need first-year tuition (after any deposit) plus living costs of **£1,136 per month** for up to **9 months** – a minimum of **£10,224** in living costs. If your tuition is **£20,000** and you paid a **£3,000 deposit**, you must show **£27,224** in total (£17,000 tuition + £10,224 living). The funds must have been held for a **continuous 28-day period** immediately before your application.

Q: What is the typical visa processing time, and can I get a faster decision?

Standard processing from biometric appointment takes **3–5 weeks**. A **Priority Visa** service reduces this to **5 working days** (additional fee of approximately **£500**), and **Super Priority** gives a decision by the next working day (fee around **£1,000**). Availability varies by country and season.

Q: I am studying a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence – do I need ATAS clearance?

Yes, if your **AI** course is classified as a **sensitive subject** under the **Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)** . Your CAS will explicitly state whether ATAS is required. The application is free but can take **4–6 weeks** to process. You cannot apply for a visa until ATAS is approved.

Q: How much does the IHS cost for a 2-year Master’s, and what does it cover?

For a **2-year course**, the IHS is calculated as **24 months + 4 months** = **28 months**. At **£776 per year**, this equals **£28/12 × £776 ≈ £1,811**. The surcharge gives you access to the **National Health Service (NHS)** in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland with the same entitlements as a permanent resident – covering GP visits, hospital treatment, and emergency care.

CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is an electronic registration document issued by your UK university confirming your admission. It contains:

A 30-character reference number (letters and digits)
Your full name, date of birth, and passport number
Course title, start and end dates, and total tuition cost
The university’s UKVI Sponsor Number
Confirmation that your English language qualifications are recognised
Any deposits you’ve already paid (offset against the total fee)

Validity: Your CAS remains valid for six months from issuance. You must use it to lodge your visa application within this window.

Financial Evidence Requirements (2026)

You must demonstrate funds for:

Tuition: First year of your course (minus any deposit already paid)
Living costs:
- London-based universities: £1,483 per month, capped at 9 months = £13,347 total
- All other universities: £1,136 per month, capped at 9 months = £10,224 total

Savings rule: Your funds must remain in the account for a continuous 28 days before you apply. They can sit in a student’s own account, a parent’s account (with a notarised sponsorship letter), or a spousal account. Fixed-deposit accounts count, provided they mature within 28 days of your application date.

Additional Visa Requirements

ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme)

Sensitive fields—nuclear physics, aerospace, biochemistry, advanced artificial intelligence—require ATAS clearance, particularly at master’s and doctoral level. Your CAS will note if ATAS is required. The application is free and typically processes within 4–6 weeks; budget for this lead time.

IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge)

Cost: £776 per year (2025 rate)
Duration for students: Calculated as course length plus four months (to allow time for departure)
Example: A 1-year master’s = 12 + 4 = 16 months, costing approximately £1,035
Payment: Paid once upfront when you submit your visa application; it covers NHS access during your stay

Tuberculosis Screening

All applicants in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau must undergo TB screening at a UKVI-designated clinic. Designated centres exist in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuhan, and Nanjing. The screening includes a chest X-ray and an interview.

UNILINK assists with appointments.

Visa Fees Summary (Approximate, 2026)

Item	Cost
Visa application fee (overseas applicant)	£524
IHS (1-year master’s)	£1,035
TB screening	~RMB 550
Visa centre biometric enrolment	~RMB 55
Total	~RMB 18,000 (approximately £1,700)

Application Process (Overseas Applicants)

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Receive CAS → Fill the UKVI online form at the official UK Visas and Immigration portal
Book biometric appointment → Reserve a slot at VFS Global (the official visa application centre) for fingerprinting and photograph
Upload documents to the UKVI portal: CAS, passport, transcripts, IELTS/PTE/TOEFL, proof of funds, TB report, and ATAS (if required)
Pay visa fees and IHS through the portal
Attend appointment at the visa centre (approximately 15 minutes for fingerprints and photo)
Wait for decision (typically 3–5 weeks from biometric appointment)
Receive decision as either a vignette (sticker in your passport) or an eVisa (digital approval)

First Ten Days in the UK

At border: Present your CAS printout and passport to UK Border Force
Activate visa: Within 10 days, visit a designated Post Office or your university to activate your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa
University enrolment: Register with your university on or before the official start date on your CAS
NHS registration: Visit a local GP surgery with your BRP to register for NHS services
Bank account: Open a UK bank account (your university will provide an address letter confirming enrolment)

FAQ

Q1: How long is my CAS valid for, and what happens if I miss the deadline?

Your CAS is valid for six months from the date of issuance. If you fail to submit your visa application within that window, you must request a new CAS from your university. The university may reissue a CAS if your offer is still valid, but you may need to provide updated documents such as new financial evidence.

Q2: Exactly how much money must I show in my bank account for a 1-year master’s at a non-London university?

For a non-London university, you need first-year tuition (after any deposit) plus living costs of £1,136 per month for up to 9 months – a minimum of £10,224 in living costs. If your tuition is £20,000 and you paid a £3,000 deposit, you must show £27,224 in total (£17,000 tuition + £10,224 living). The funds must have been held for a continuous 28-day period immediately before your application.

Q3: What is the typical visa processing time, and can I get a faster decision?

Standard processing from biometric appointment takes 3–5 weeks. A Priority Visa service reduces this to 5 working days (additional fee of approximately £500), and Super Priority gives a decision by the next working day (fee around £1,000). Availability varies by country and season.

Q4: I am studying a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence – do I need ATAS clearance?

Yes, if your AI course is classified as a sensitive subject under the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) . Your CAS will explicitly state whether ATAS is required. The application is free but can take 4–6 weeks to process. You cannot apply for a visa until ATAS is approved.

Q5: How much does the IHS cost for a 2-year Master’s, and what does it cover?

For a 2-year course, the IHS is calculated as 24 months + 4 months = 28 months. At £776 per year, this equals £28/12 × £776 ≈ £1,811. The surcharge gives you access to the National Health Service (NHS) in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland with the same entitlements as a permanent resident – covering GP visits, hospital treatment, and emergency care.

UNILINK’s UK Visa Service

100% free: CAS through final visa approval—zero service charges
Document coordination: TB screening, ATAS applications, IHS payment, and visa form completion handled at no cost
VFS priority scheduling: UNILINK partners with VFS Global to book your biometric appointment at preferred times
Post-arrival support: Airport pickup coordination, NHS registration assistance, and bank account opening guidance included

References

UK Visas and Immigration, 2026, Guidance on Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and Sponsor Duties
Home Office, 2026, Immigration Rules Appendix Finance (Student Route)
Department of Health and Social Care, 2025, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – Rates and Regulations
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, 2026, Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) – Applicant Guidance
UK Visas and Immigration, 2026, Tuberculosis Screening Requirements for Visa Applicants

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