From university offer to Student visa

UK CAS Process for Nepali Students 2026 Complete Guide

Understand pre-CAS checks, deposits, financial evidence, the CAS reference and the information to verify before a UK Student visa application.

Direct answer:

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, or CAS, is a virtual record assigned by a licensed UK Student sponsor after the university is satisfied that you have met its admission and compliance requirements. It is not a paper certificate and a consultancy cannot issue it. You use the unique CAS reference number in your Student visa application.

For Nepali students2026 planningOfficial-source checked
CAS basics

What is a UK CAS?

The licensed sponsor assigns a CAS through the Sponsorship Management System. The digital record links your identity, sponsor, course, fees, payments, academic assessment and other required information to a unique reference number. UKVI checks that record when deciding the visa application.

1

Assigned by the sponsor

The university or other licensed education provider controls its CAS process.

2

Virtual record

CAS is not a printed visa document, even if the university sends a CAS statement.

3

Visa reference

The reference number and CAS information support the Student visa application.

GOV.UK confirms that a current passport and CAS are core Student visa documents. Read the official Student visa document guidance.

Before CAS

Conditions usually completed before CAS

  • Accept the correct course offer through the university’s process.
  • Meet academic and English-language conditions.
  • Provide complete identity and qualification documents.
  • Pay the required tuition deposit where applicable.
  • Complete financial, credibility or compliance checks requested by the sponsor.
  • Provide TB, ATAS or sponsor-consent evidence where relevant.
  • Resolve discrepancies in names, dates, study history or funding.
A university offer does not guarantee CAS. Sponsors apply their own compliance checks and may request further evidence before assigning it.
Process

UK CAS process step by step

Meet the offer conditions

Submit final academic, English and course-specific evidence.

Complete university requirements

Accept the offer, pay the required deposit and finish questionnaires or interviews.

Provide funding evidence

Follow the sponsor’s pre-CAS instructions and UKVI financial rules.

Review the draft details

Check passport details, course, campus, dates, tuition and payments.

Receive the CAS reference

Save the CAS statement or email and prepare the visa application with matching information.

Accuracy check

Information to verify on your CAS

CAS fieldWhat to check
Personal detailsName, passport number, nationality and date of birth match the current passport.
Sponsor and courseCorrect institution, course title, level and main study location.
Course datesStart and end dates agree with the offer and planned application.
TuitionTotal first-year or course fee and money already paid are accurate.
Assessment evidenceQualifications, English assessment and ATAS information are correctly recorded.
Accommodation paymentOnly eligible sponsor-provided accommodation payments are recorded correctly.

Ask the university to correct material errors before you submit the visa application. Do not change the CAS statement yourself.

Validity

How long is a CAS valid?

Appendix Student requires the CAS reference to have been issued no more than six months before the visa application date. A CAS can also become invalid if it is withdrawn, cancelled or already used. Your sponsor can explain its status; a consultancy cannot reactivate or replace it.

Review the current Appendix Student rules before applying.

Funding

CAS, tuition payments and financial evidence

The CAS normally records course fees and qualifying tuition payments received by the sponsor. This does not automatically prove every financial requirement. Depending on your circumstances, you may still need compliant evidence for outstanding tuition and living costs.

  • Use only permitted accounts, loans or official sponsorship evidence.
  • Meet the applicable holding-period and document-date rules.
  • Ensure the account holder and relationship evidence are acceptable.
  • Make figures and currency conversions consistent with the application.
  • Keep the evidence available even if it is not uploaded initially.

Use the current GOV.UK financial evidence guidance and plan costs with the UK study cost guide.

Avoid delays

Common CAS problems

Better preparation

  • Meet every offer condition early
  • Use consistent documents
  • Explain genuine funding sources
  • Check the draft CAS carefully
  • Apply within the permitted timeline

Common risks

  • Unexplained study or work gaps
  • Wrong passport details
  • Unverified or recently moved funds
  • Inconsistent tuition payments
  • Submitting a visa before corrections
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is CAS the same as an offer letter?

No. An offer relates to admission; CAS is a sponsor-assigned digital record used for the Student visa route.

Can MKS Education issue my CAS?

No. Only the licensed Student sponsor can assign CAS. MKS Education can help organise documents and timelines.

Can I apply for a UK Student visa without CAS?

A valid CAS reference is required for the Student visa application.

What if the CAS contains an error?

Contact the sponsor and obtain its correction instructions before submitting the visa application.

MKS Education CAS preparation support

Organise your CAS and visa-file preparation with MKS Education

MKS Education, opposite Shankerdev Campus in Putalisadak, Kathmandu, helps Nepali applicants review university conditions, organise academic and financial documents, track application timelines and prepare for the next Student visa stage using official sources. MKS Education does not issue CAS and does not decide visas; those decisions remain with the licensed sponsor and UKVI.

Request guidance from MKS EducationApplication process guide
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MKS Education support

Plan your application with MKS Education

MKS Education is a study abroad consultancy opposite Shankerdev Campus in Putalisadak, Kathmandu. We help Nepali students review profiles, shortlist universities and courses, prepare applications, organise documents, research scholarships, and plan CAS and visa-file stages using current official sources. Universities and immigration authorities make all admission and visa decisions.

Request guidance from MKS Education
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