CAS Process
What is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)?
To apply for a Student Visa (formally Tier 4), you must have a CAS from Northumbria University. A CAS is a unique reference number that you will need to put on your visa application. Once you have satisfied the conditions for a CAS, we will issue you a CAS Statement which details your CAS number. It also includes all the information that we have based the decision on, which may help you in your visa application.
How you will receive your CAS will depend on whether you are an applicant or a current student extending your visa for your current course.
Once you have received your CAS, the first thing that you should do is check all the information on your CAS statement is correct. If there are any discrepancies in your CAS, you should inform Northumbria as soon as possible. You should not use the CAS if any of the information is incorrect. Your visa application may be refused if there are any discrepancies between the information used by Northumbria and the information on your application form. When you have received your CAS, and meet all other visa requirements, you can apply for your visa. You can find information on applying for your visa here.
Please note that each unique CAS number can only be used once. If your visa application is refused, or you have already used your CAS number for a previous application you will need to request a new CAS number for any new applications.
Applicants should request a CAS via the Applicant Portal. You should do this when you have met the following:
Direct Applicants
You hold an unconditional offer.
UCAS Applicants
You hold an unconditional offer that you have firmly accepted.
To request your CAS, you should click on the Visa/Immigration box on your portal. You will then receive an email inviting you to register on CAS Shield, the system you will use to finalise your CAS request.
Once you have registered on CAS Shield please:
- Complete all information sections you are prompted to fill in.
- Upload all documents requested
- Complete your Pre-CAS interview (if required) *
- Pay your deposit (if you have not already done so) or provide a valid financial sponsor letter.
Please note as part of your CAS request you may be asked to provide evidence on how you meet UKVI maintenance requirements.
We will not be able to issue your CAS until these steps have been completed so we encourage you to act on the CAS Shield Registration email as soon as you receive it.
*Some applicants may need to complete a Pre-CAS Interview as part of their admissions process to Northumbria University. This interview, conducted through CAS Shield, aims to verify that you are a genuine student. If you are unable to answer the questions satisfactorily during this interview, you will not be issued a CAS.
This Pre-CAS Interview serves as a mock credibility interview, where you will likely be asked questions similar to those in the UKVI credibility interview, making it a useful tool to prepare for the real interview. If you are invited to a Pre-CAS Interview, please treat it with the same seriousness as the real UKVI interview - it is not a formality. It is your opportunity to identify any gaps in your preparation before your visa application is affected. You must pass the Pre-CAS Interview to receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from Northumbria University.
Further information about preparing for a Credibility Information can be found on our immigration hub here.
How will I receive my CAS?
Applicants will receive their CAS via the applicant portal. You will receive an email when it is available to download.
Applicants applying for a visa inside of the UK may be contacted by an immigration adviser when your CAS is ready to discuss your next steps and assist you with your visa application. You can find information on applying for your visa in the UK, via Northumbria on the Student Portal.
Students who require a CAS to continue on their course must request a CAS here. You must submit your CAS request more than 4 weeks before your application is required, or if you are requesting a CAS towards the end of your course at least 8 weeks. Applications submitted outside of these deadlines will be processed where possible but a CAS would not be guaranteed. Applicants and continuing students are required to submit any requested documents before the University will issue a CAS.
How will I receive my CAS?
You will be contacted by an immigration adviser within the University when your CAS is ready to discuss your next steps and assist you with your visa application. Applicants applying for leave within the UK are required to apply via the Welfare, Immigration and Funding Team to whom the CAS will be issued.
Northumbria University CAS issuance conditions
For current students seeking CAS to continue their studies in the UK, please refer to the University’s CAS Policy for further information. If students have any further questions after reviewing this policy, please refer to the student portal for further support in relation to their request
