How to Get a CAS for UK Study Visa from Nigeria

Last updated on March 15th, 2023

If you want to study in the UK, you will need to obtain a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance for Studies). This guide will show you how to get a CAS for UK Study Visa from Nigeria. It includes detailed instructions.

One of the prerequisites for obtaining a UK visa is the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS, as it is popularly called). As a Nigerian student planning to study in the UK, you must obtain a general student visa (Tier 4). However, you must get a CAS for a UK study visa from Nigeria before you obtain the Tier 4 visa. You may wonder what the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is and how to get it. This is why we are here for you. Keep reading as we unfold the meaning of CAS, its importance, processing time, and other relevant information.

What is a CAS?

The CAS number is an exclusive reference number assigned to each international student by the college or university they enrolled in. In this framework, the college or university you obtained an admission from can act as your ‘immigration sponsor’ that issued the CAS number to you. This does not, in any way, mean that the university or college is your admission financial sponsor. They only sponsored your visa application.

Besides, the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is electronically generated; hence, your institution will send it to you via the official email you use for this purpose. It also includes your unique CAS number, which you will enter on your visa application as proof of your admission by the college or university.

Why does the Visa Official Require your CAS number for a UK study visa?

Technically, a CAS number proves that a UK university has offered you unconditional admission. However, the essence is that the visa official uses the number to confirm your true status in the UK university – whether it has accepted you. Once confirmed, the visa official begins issuing you the general student visa to quicken your immigration to the UK as a student. Another critical point is that you must ensure the CAS number you provided is authentic and reflects what the university issued you. If there is an inconsistency between the number you provided and the one possessing the university, the visa office will reject your application.

How do you Obtain a CAS Number?

Obtaining a CAS number is simple, but the process is lengthy and involves various stages. The stages are outlined below:

Sending the CAS number

Over the years, prospective UK students have kept asking whether it is their duty to request or apply for the CAS number or whether the university would send it after issuing the admission. The university you applied to will determine how to go about this stage. However, some universities like Kingston require students to request their CAS number. Others, like Nottingham University, send the number on their own. You do not need to apply for any CAS number in the second instance. For that reason, you need to check the university website for the latest update frequently and whether you should send a request or wait for them to send the number. There are conditions for qualifying for a CAS number, and they include the following:

• You have accepted the unconditional offer to study at the university.
• You have deposited a certain minimum sum to secure your seat in the university.
• Your visa application is less than three months before the commencement of your study at the university.

Getting a CAS for a UK study visa

The next stage is understanding how the university sends the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. Usually, the university will first send you a link through your unique email and request you log in to the link. Once you log in, you will need to check the CAS statement on the dashboard. Before then, you may also be asked to send documents, including your academic credentials, proof of funds, Tuberculosis certificate, etc. The availability of these will enable them to send the CAS number to you.

You will receive the link to your CS statement when you submit the documents. Clicking on the link will bring out the CAS statement, explaining the vital information regarding your admission, including your CAS number. In the end, you will be asked if the information is true about you. If it is authentic, you will proceed to the next stage. If not, you will need to write to the school authorities to point out the errors and make the necessary adjustments. You can access your CAS number when everything is in its right form. However, you will need to enter your CAS number during the visa application. But printing out the statement slip would not be a wrong step.

How long does it take to get a CAS for a UK study visa?

Typically, it takes about ten days for the university to send your CAS number after the confirmation of your details. This number contains 14 digits. If, after 20 days, you have yet to receive your CAS number, you will have to write the university’s admission committee, drawing their attention to the situation.

What can be found in the CAS Statement?

Your CAS statement contains the following details:

• 14-digit CAS number
• Your sponsor information, such as name, license number, address, etc.
• Your information, including name, gender, nationality, birthplace, birth country, date of birth, passport, etc.
• Your course details like name, ID, degree level, duration, and type (full-time or part-time),
• The requirement of SELT, ATAS, English language level attained, test provider, etc.
• Work placement information
• Accommodation details like provision of accommodation, rent proof, etc.

What is the Validity Period of a CAS Number?

Your CAS number is only valid for the visa application. Hence, the validity of the letter is for six months.

How do You Apply for a Visa after Receiving your CAS Number?

After receiving the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies number, you must follow specific steps to obtain your general student visa. The steps include:

• Visit the UK visa immigration service website and fill out the general student visa application process. Ensure to enter the essential information correctly. Your CAS number contains 14-digits; you can crosscheck for errors.
• Pay the application and immigration health insurance fees.
• Book an appointment to capture your biometrics to get your residence permit.
• Attend the biometrics appointment with your supporting documents as proof of your eligibility. You can also include your CS statement, even though it is not compulsory.
• Attend the credibility interview if need be.

After you have fulfilled the above, the UK embassy or consulate in Nigeria will contact you for their final decision. In this case, your visa may be accepted or rejected; the time involved is about three weeks.

You may also like:

• 50 things to travel with for study in the UK from Nigeria
• Top UK universities with January intakes for Nigerian students

What are the Top UK Universities to Apply to for Studies from Nigeria?

• The University of Oxford
• Imperial College, London
• University College, London
• University of Greenwich
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• Coventry University
• University of East London
• University of Manchester
• University of Edinburgh
• Kingston University
• Nottingham University
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Leeds
• Teesside University
• University of Glasgow
• Lambton College

Read also: Find out the minimum gap to get into UK universities from Nigeria

Can You use the CAS Number if the Visa Application is Rejected?

If the visa immigration officer rejects your visa application for any reason, the decision also renders your CAS number invalid. In that case, you will need to reapply for a CAS number, and you will contact the university’s admission committee or international student support team. In addition, you will be contacted by an advisor, who will let you know if it is possible to issue another number to you or not. Finally, if you are fortunate with another number, you will start the above process again.

What to consider when you want to get a CAS for UK study visa from Nigeria

• Getting a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies number is not a guarantee for issuing a visa to you.
• The university reserves the right to issue or not issue a CAS to you if the time left for processing the letter is limited.
• You must furnish proof of sufficient funds for your studies to be issued a CAS letter.
• The university withholds the CAS number if your documents are fraudulent or incorrect.
• You must send your CAS number request within the stipulated timeframe. If not, the request will be denied. This timeframe is within 90 days before the commencement of your course.

Check out the best courses to study in the UK!

Conclusion

Getting a CAS for a UK study from Nigeria is not tedious if you can follow instructions. Moreover, different UK universities have diverse procedures for issuing CAS. Hence, it would be best to find out what is obtainable with the university you applied to avoid mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about obtaining a CAS for a UK study visa from Nigeria. It answers frequently asked questions:

How do I get a CAS number for my UK visa?

If you want to apply for a UK visa, you must first receive a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance for Studies) number from a UK educational institution. Your education provider will send you a reference number known as a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies once they have offered you a place in the program. This reference number must be included in your visa application.

Can I apply for a UK student visa without a CAS letter?

No, you cannot apply for a UK student visa without a CAS letter. Your CAS will be valid for six months from the date of issuing

Can I start a visa application without CAS?

No, you can not start a visa application without a CAS. You will need to obtain a CAS before your visa can be approved. If you apply for a Student visa without a CAS, it will be rejected as invalid.

How soon can CAS be issued?

Your CAS will be delivered to you no later than six months before the commencement of your study after you have accepted your offer and met all of the conditions.