Applying for your Student Visa

To be granted a Student Visa you need to score 70 points: 50 points are achieved by having a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS); 10 points are awarded for meeting tuition fee and maintenance requirements and 10 points for demonstrating you have the necessary English language skills to undertake your programme of study.

There is more information about the Student Visa route on both the Home Office website and the UKCISA website.    

What is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and why do I need one?

A CAS is a unique reference number that you must have before making a Student Visa application.  You must write the CAS number in the appropriate field on the Student Visa application form.  The Home Office will check this number to confirm that you are due to commence a new course of study with the University.

How do I apply for my CAS?

After you have received your unconditional offer from the University of Salford you can apply for your CAS. This can be done immediately if your course start date is within the next 6 months.

How long is the CAS valid for?

Your CAS is valid for 6 months from the date it was assigned. After this time your CAS will automatically expire if it has not been used.  You cannot make a Student Visa application more than 6 months before the start of your course. You cannot apply with a CAS number that has already expired or a CAS number that has already been used in an application.

I already have a CAS from another university do I need one for the University of Salford?

You can receive a CAS from more than one University but you must then decide where you intend to study.  Once you have made your decision, you must use the CAS for that institution in your Student Visa application.  Once you have used one CAS, any other CAS that you have been issued will become invalid. You cannot register at the University of Salford with a visa that has been issued for study at another University. 

I currently have a different type of visa, do I need a CAS and do I need to apply for a Student Visa?

In most instances you are able to switch immigration categories from within the UK and apply for a Student Visa. However, please ensure you check the latest immigration categories you are able to switch from in the UK by accessing the Home Office website.

If you still have an outstanding visa application or immigration appeal when you are made an offer to study at the University of Salford or when you arrive to register on to your own programme of study, then in most instances you will not be issued with a CAS until the outcome of the application or appeal is known.  Please contact us quoting your student ID number if you feel this may affect you.

If you are making an application with dependants, you should consult our further information.

Once you have met all of the conditions of your offer, you can apply for your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) if your course start date is within the next 6 months. You should fill out the request form carefully making certain there are no errors otherwise these could appear in your final CAS.

If I have an offer, why do I need to request a CAS?

An offer issued to you does not automatically entitle you to a CAS: as part of the CAS request, we will require more information from you.  
You must ensure you provide all of the necessary information requested and within plenty of time of your course start date.  If there is anything that needs to be addressed before you submit a visa application then it is much easier for us to help you if you submit your CAS request in a timely manner.

What information do I need to supply with my request?

In order to apply for your CAS number, you will need to provide certain information, including:

1. Details of any student visas you have held to study in the United Kingdom.

2. Details of any visa refusals you may have had (for any country in the world).

3. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself whilst studying in the UK: 

• If you are sponsored by an official financial sponsor, you will need an official sponsor letter as evidence.
• If you are supporting yourself, you will need to show that the required maintenance amount and any outstanding tuition fee amounts have been held in your bank account for 28 consecutive days.
• If your financial evidence is not in English or Welsh, you will need to submit an original certified translation.

You can find information on how much money you need to show to meet the Home Office's requirements and how to demonstrate this on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website and in the Home Office’s Student Visa Policy Guidance.

4. Your Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (where applicable).  If you require an ATAS certificate, please read our guide.

Academic Progression

If you have previously applied for permission to enter or permission to stay under a Student Visa, in order to make a visa application from within the UK in most instances you will be required to show that you have ‘academically progressed’.  This means that the course for which you are making a new visa application should be at a higher level than your previous course or should demonstrate some form of deeper specialisation or contribute to your genuine career aspirations.  

How long will it take for my CAS to be issued?

Once you have submitted your CAS request we will write to you within 2 working days to confirm receipt and a date when you will next hear from us regarding your CAS. 

What will my CAS look like?

Your CAS will be emailed to you when your request has been processed and all accompanying documents verified.  When you receive your CAS please check all the information carefully to make sure everything is correct.  If there are any errors or you have paid further tuition fees, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing salford-cas@salford.ac.uk and quoting your student ID number.

What is the University’s policy on issuing CAS following a visa refusal?

The University may be able to issue you with a new CAS following a visa refusal.  As Immigration Rules are subject to change, each refusal will be considered on a case by case basis before deciding if a new CAS can be issued.  

However, please note that you will not be issued with a new CAS if your visa refusal was based on any of the following:

• You have failed a credibility interview.
• You have submitted different documents to those checked by the University before we issued you a CAS.
• You have submitted fraudulent documents, either intentionally or unintentionally. In this case the full study deposit you paid to the University will also be retained by the University.
• You have overstayed either intentionally or unintentionally on a previous visa before submitting your new visa application.

Please note that the University of Salford also adheres to a maximum two CAS per course policy.  This means that if your Student Visa application has been refused and the University is able to issue you with a second CAS number for the course of study you are applying for, this will also be your last CAS for any course of study at the University of Salford. If you receive another Student Visa refusal we will not sponsor you under a Student Visa.

Once you have received your CAS, you can make your Student Visa application to apply for 'permission to stay’.

You must ensure you make your application before you commence your new programme of study and before your current visa expires. However, you cannot submit the application more than 3 months before your course start date and you can only apply in the UK if your current visa expires no more than 28 days before your new course start date. If your visa expires more than 28 days before your new course start date you must return to your home country to make the visa application.  At present, the only exception to this rule is for Afghan and Ukrainian nationals.

Please note: you should always refer to the most recent Home Office rules and guidance before making a Student Visa application.

How to apply to extend your Student Visa

To make a successful application in the UK you must be able to demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the Student Route. This means that you must be able to provide:

• Your CAS number
  You must write your CAS number in the appropriate field on the Student Visa application form.  The Home Office will check this number to confirm that you are undertaking a course of study with the University of Salford.

• ATAS
  If your CAS indicates that you require an ATAS Certificate, please read the ATAS Guide.

• Certificates and Transcripts
  If your CAS indicates that you need to submit academic documents to the Home Office, you must send the original documents.

• Financial Evidence
  You must submit original evidence that you have enough money to support yourself whilst studying in the UK (this should be the financial evidence that we have checked before issuing you a CAS).

• Translations
  If your immigration application includes any documents which are not in English or Welsh, you must also include an original certified translation of each document which meets specific requirements..

Completing your Student Visa application

To apply for a Student Visa you will need to complete an online application. If you would like help with your Student Visa application, you may like to use our Check and Send scheme. If you would like to use our Check and Send scheme, only complete up to stage 3 of the application form.   

Please note: if you have ever overstayed and/or breached any of the conditions of your visa during a previous stay in the UK, you must disclose this on all applications you submit to the Home Office.  If you do not disclose this information, you risk being refused a visa for a long period of time (up to 10 years).  

Submitting the application

Once your application is fully complete and correct, you can submit it to the Home Office. At this point you may need to pay an immigration health surcharge. The Home Office website has a calculator to find out if you need to pay the immigration health surcharge and how much you need to pay.

You will also need to pay for your visa application.

Standard application:  A decision on a Student visa application is normally made within 8 weeks; a new BRP card then will be processed and delivered over the next 14 days; 

Priority application:  A decision on a Student visa application is normally made within 10 working days; a new BRP card will be processed and delivered over the next 14 days; 

Super priority application: A decision on a Student visa application is normally made within 24 hours. The new BRP card then will be processed and delivered over the next 14 days.

Once you have attended your biometric appointment at a visa application centre (the nearest one is at Manchester Central Library), a decision will be made on your application by a Home Office caseworker.

Whilst your visa application is being processed you will be able to keep all your original documents (including your travel document). However, you must NOT travel outside the UK before you have received your new BRP, as doing so will be treated as a withdrawal of your on-going UK visa application and you may be refused entry at the UK border.

The Home Office aims to process your application within the specified processing time of your chosen application method (however this can take longer during busy periods or in exceptional circumstances). We are unable to speed up this process, so please ensure you choose the best application method that suits your circumstances from the outset.

My application is still outstanding and I need to register for my course, what do I do? 

If you are still waiting for a decision on your visa application then you may be able to register for your new course of study if you are able to show that your visa application was made before your previous Student Visa expired. You will need to show the following documents:  

• Your previous visa and current passport or travel document.
• Original documents used to obtain your offer 
• Your visa application cover sheet.
• Your visa application centre confirmation document

My application has been successful

Congratulations! Your permission to stay will be issued as a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).  A BRP is a small plastic card which states your personal information, your biometric information and your immigration status and conditions. You need to check your BRP carefully to ensure it includes all the correct information and that there are no errors.

Typically, your visa will be issued as a BRP. However, there are some instances in which you may not receive a BRP. If you are from the EU, for example, and apply for a Student Visa, this will likely be accessible online by using a share code. You will not receive a BRP.

We need to know your immigration status.  Please contact us (quoting your student ID number) to let us know when you have received your immigration document or confirm this during your International Check-In appointment

My application has been rejected as invalid

If the Home Office reject your application as invalid you should contact salford-cas@salford.ac.uk quoting your student ID number immediately to discuss your options. 

My application has been refused

If the Home Office refuse your application you should contact salford-cas@Salford.ac.uk quoting your student ID number immediately to discuss your options.

If your Student Visa application was submitted before your current Visa expired you should be given the right to an Administrative Review. If your application has been refused on the grounds of an error made by the caseworker based on the evidence available to them when the decision was made then it may be advisable to submit an administrative review.

As soon as you have been issued with a visa showing the University of Salford’s sponsor licence number, both you and the University have a responsibility to comply with Student Visa immigration rules. 

Please familiarise yourself with your key responsibilities. Remember – your visa, your responsibility.

To be granted a Student Visa you need to score 70 points:

• 50 points are achieved by having a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS); 
• 10 points are awarded for meeting tuition fee and maintenance requirements; 
• 10 points are for demonstrating you have the necessary English language skills to undertake your programme of study.

You can find more information about a Student Visa on the Home Office website and the UKCISA website.

What is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and why do I need one?

A CAS is a unique reference number that you must have before making a Student Visa application. You must write the CAS number in the appropriate field on the Student Visa application form. The Home Office will check this number to confirm that you are continuing on your course of study with the University.

How long is the CAS valid for?

Your CAS is valid for 6 months from the date it was assigned by the University and, after this, your CAS will automatically expire if it has not been used.  Once received you should make your visa extension as soon as possible but no more than 3 months before the current expiry date of your Student Visa.

If you are currently registered on a course and you want to extend your visa, you will need to request a CAS number online (see below). The Home Office Compliance Team will assess your request and ascertain whether you are eligible for a new CAS based on the University’s CAS issuance policy. If you are eligible for a new CAS, it is likely that you will be able to extend your visa from inside the UK but there may be circumstances where this is not allowed. Please contact us quoting your student ID number for more information.

How do I apply for my CAS?

You need to apply for your CAS online via Salford Advantage.

What information do I need to provide?

In order to apply for your CAS number, you will need to provide certain information, including:

1. Details of any student visas you have held to study in the United Kingdom.

2. Details of any visa refusals you may have had (for any country in the world).

3. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself whilst studying in the UK:

• If you are sponsored by an official financial sponsor, you will need an official sponsor letter as evidence.
• If you are supporting yourself, you will need to show that the required maintenance amount and any outstanding tuition fee amounts have been held in your bank account for 28 consecutive days.
• If your financial evidence is not in English or Welsh, you will need to submit an original certified translation.  
• If you have been in the UK for over 12-months you will not need to provide financial evidence as part of your CAS request or Student Visa application.

You can find information on how much money you need to show to meet the Home Office’s requirements and how to demonstrate this on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website and in the Home Office’s Student Visa Policy Guidance.

4. Your Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (where applicable).  If you require an ATAS certificate, please read our guide.  

How long will it take for my CAS to be issued?

The Home Office Compliance team will need to complete various checks before your CAS can be issued.  Your CAS can therefore take up to a week to issue once all required information has been provided. During peak periods this time may vary.

What will my CAS look like?

Your CAS will be emailed to you.  When you receive this, please check all the information carefully to make sure everything is correct.  If there are any errors, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing homeofficecompliance@salford.ac.uk and quoting your student ID number.

What is the University’s policy on issuing CAS following a visa refusal?

The University may be able to issue you with a new CAS following a visa refusal.  As Immigration Rules are subject to change, each refusal will be considered on a case by case basis before deciding if a new CAS can be issued.

For example, you will not be issued with a new CAS if your visa refusal was based on any of the following: 

• You have failed a credibility interview.
• You have submitted different documents to those checked by the University before we issued you a CAS.
• You have submitted fraudulent documents, either intentionally or unintentionally. The full study deposit you paid to the University will also be retained by the University.
• You have overstayed either intentionally or unintentionally on a previous visa before submitting your new visa application.

Please note: that the University of Salford  adheres to a maximum of two CAS per course policy.  This means that if your Student Visa application has been refused and the University is able to issue you with a second CAS number for the course of study you are applying for, this will also be your last CAS for any course of study at the University of Salford. If you receive another Student Visa refusal we will not sponsor you under a Student Visa.

Once you have received your CAS, you can make your Student Visa application to apply for 'permission to stay'. You must apply before your current visa expires.

Please note: you should always refer to the most recent Home Office rules and guidance before making a Student Visa application.

How to apply for permission to stay

To make a successful visa application in the UK you must be able to demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the Student Route. This means that you must be able to provide:

• Your CAS number
  You must write your CAS number in the appropriate field on the Student Visa application form.  The Home Office will check this number to confirm that you are continuing on your course of study with the University of Salford.

• ATAS
  If your CAS indicates that you require an ATAS Certificate, please read our ATAS guide.

• Certificates and Transcripts
  If your CAS indicates that you need to submit academic documents to the Home Office, you must send scans or clear photos of the original documents.

• Financial Evidence
  You must submit a clear copy or scan of your financial document that shows you have enough money to support yourself whilst studying in the UK (this should be the financial evidence that we have checked before issuing you a CAS).

Further documentation:

• Translations If your immigration application includes any documents which are not in English or Welsh, you must also include an original certified translation of each document which meets specific requirements.

Completing your Student Visa application

To apply for a Student Visa you will need to complete an online application. If you would like help with your Student Visa application, you may like to use our Check and Send Scheme.  

Please note: If you have ever overstayed and/or breached any of the conditions of your visa during a previous stay in the UK, you must disclose this on all visa applications you submit to the Home Office.  If you do not disclose this information, you risk being refused a visa for a long period of time (usually up to 10 years).

Preparing and completing the application

• Before completing your Student Visa application, please familiarise yourself with the most recent Home Office rules and guidance.

Please note: If you would like to use our Check and Send scheme, only complete up to the declaration page of the application form.

Submitting the application

Once your application is fully complete and correct, you can submit it to the Home Office.  At this point you may need to pay an immigration health surcharge. The Home Office website has a calculator to find out if you need to pay the immigration health surcharge and how much you need to pay.

You will also need to pay for your visa application. 

Standard application:  A decision on the visa application is normally made within 8 weeks; a new BRP card then will be processed and delivered in the next 14 days; 

Priority application:  A decision on the visa application is normally made within 10 working days; a new BRP card will be processed and delivered in the next 14 days; 

Super priority application: A decision on the visa application is normally made within 24 hours. The new BRP card then will be processed and delivered in the next 14 days.

Once you have attended your biometric appointment at a visa application centre (the nearest one is at Manchester Central Library), a decision will be made on your application by a Home Office caseworker. You may also be contacted by UKVCAS to provide further documents and biometrics using their app.

You will be able to keep all your original documents (including your travel document) whilst your Student visa application is being considered. However, you must not travel outside the UK before you have received your new BRP, as doing so will be treated as a withdrawal of your on-going UK visa application and you may be refused entry at the UK border.

Updating the University of Salford

We need to know your immigration status. You must inform us once you have made your application.

You are required to show us the Student Visa application cover sheet and the post office receipt (showing that your documents have been posted). Please email us quoting your student ID number to provide us with this information.

The Home Office aims to process your application within 8 weeks of you submitting your application (however this can take longer during busy periods).  We are unable to speed up this process.

Updating the University of Salford

If you are still waiting for a decision on your Student Visa application then in most instances you will still be able to continue with your course of study if you are able to show that your application was made on time (before your previous visa expired) and supply us with the following documents: 

• Your previous visa and current passport or travel document.
• Your original documents used to obtain your offer 
• Your Student Visa application cover sheet.
• Your visa application centre confirmation document

My application has been successful

Congratulations! Your new permission to stay will be issued as a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).  A BRP is a small plastic card which states your personal information, your biometric information and your immigration status and conditions.  You need to check your BRP carefully to make sure that it includes all the correct information and that there are no errors.

However, there are some instances in which you may not receive a BRP. If you are from the EU and apply for a Student Visa, for example, your permission to stay will likely be accessible online using a share code. You will not receive a BRP.

We need to know your immigration status. Once you have received your visa please let us know and provide a scan or photo copy of all sides of your BRP to us via email quoting your student ID number.

My application has been rejected as invalid

If the Home Office reject your application as invalid you should contact us quoting your student ID number as soon as possible to discuss your options.

My application has been refused

If the Home Office refuse your application you should contact us quoting your student ID number as soon as possible to discuss your options. 

If your Student Visa application was submitted before your current visa expired you should be given the right to an Administrative Review. If your application has been refused on the grounds of an error made by the caseworker based on the evidence available to them when the decision was made then it may be advisable to submit an Administrative Review.

As soon as you have been issued with a visa showing the University of Salford’s sponsor licence number, both you and the University have a responsibility to comply with Student Visa immigration rules.

Please familiarise yourself with your key responsibilities. Remember – your visa, your responsibility.

To be granted a Student Visa you need to score 70 points:

• 50 points are achieved by having a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS);
• 10 points are awarded for meeting tuition fee and maintenance requirements;
• 10 points are for demonstrating you have the necessary English language skills to undertake your programme of study.

There is more information about the Student Visa route on both the Home Office website and the UKCISA website.

What is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and why do I need one?

A CAS is a unique reference number that you must have before making a Student Visa application.  You must write the CAS number in the appropriate field on the Student Visa application form.  The Home Office will check this number to confirm that you are due to commence a new course of study with the University.

How do I apply for my CAS?

After you have received your unconditional offer from the University of Salford you can apply for your CAS. This can be done immediately if your course start date is within the next 6 months.

How long is the CAS valid for?

Your CAS is valid for 6 months from the date it was assigned by the University of Salford. After this time, your CAS will automatically expire if it has not been used.  You cannot make a Student Visa application more than 6 months before the start of your course. You cannot apply for a Student Visa with a CAS number that has already expired or with a CAS number that has already been used in a previous Student Visa application.

I already have a CAS from another university, do I need one for the University of Salford?

You can receive a CAS from more than one University but you must then decide where you intend to study.  Once you have made your decision, you must use the CAS for that institution in your Student Visa application.  Once you have used one CAS, any other CAS that you have been issued will become invalid. You cannot register at the University of Salford with a visa that has been issued for study at another University.

If you are making an application with dependants, you should consult our further information.

Once you have met all of the conditions of your offer, you can apply for your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) if your course start date is within the next 6 months. You should fill out the request form carefully making certain there are no errors otherwise these could appear in your final CAS.

If I have an offer, why do I need to request a CAS?

An offer issued to you does not automatically entitle you to a CAS: as part of the CAS request, we will require more information from you.  
You must ensure you provide all of the necessary information requested and within plenty of time of your course start date.  If there is anything that needs to be addressed before you submit a visa application then it is much easier for us to help you if you submit your CAS request in a timely manner.

What information do I need to provide?

In order to apply for your CAS number, you will need to provide certain information, including:

1. Details of any student visas you have held to study in the United Kingdom.

2. Details of any visa refusals you may have had (for any country in the world).

3. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself whilst studying in the UK: 

• if you are sponsored by an official financial sponsor, you will need an official sponsor letter as evidence
• If you are supporting yourself, you will need to show that the required maintenance amount and any outstanding tuition fee amounts have been held in your bank account for 28 consecutive days.
• If your financial evidence is not in English or Welsh, you will need to submit an original certified translation.  

You can find information on how much money you need to show to meet the Home Office’s requirements and how to demonstrate this on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website and in the Home Office’s Student Visa Policy Guidance.

4. Check whether you need a TB certificate to apply for a CAS

The University of Salford will be asking all students who are resident in any of these listed countries to provide a TB certificate prior to being issued a CAS.

For any student who thinks they are exempt from having to provide a TB certificate as they meet the criteria stipulated below must supply necessary proof of exemption before a CAS can be issued:

Who doesn’t need to be tested

You won’t need a TB test if any of the following apply:

• you’re a diplomat accredited to the UK
• you’re a returning UK resident and haven’t been away for more than 2 years
• you lived for at least 6 months in a country where TB screening is not required by the UK, and you’ve been away from that country for no more than 6 months

5. Your Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (where applicable).  

If you require an ATAS certificate, please read our guide.

How long will it take for my CAS to be issued?

Once you have submitted your CAS request we will write to you within 2 working days to confirm receipt and a date when you will next hear from us regarding your CAS. 

What will my CAS look like?

Your CAS will be emailed to you when your request has been processed and all accompanying documents verified.  When you receive your CAS please check all the information carefully to make sure everything is correct.  If there are any errors or you have paid further tuition fees, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing Salford-CAS@salford.ac.uk quoting your student ID number.

What is the University’s policy on issuing CAS following a visa refusal?

The University may be able to issue you with a new CAS following a visa refusal.  As Immigration Rules are subject to change, each refusal will be considered on a case by case basis before deciding if a new CAS can be issued.  

However, please note that you will not be issued with a new CAS if your visa refusal was based on any of the following:

• you have failed a credibility interview
• you have submitted different documents to those checked by the University before we issued you a CAS
• you have submitted fraudulent documents, either intentionally or unintentionally. In this case the full study deposit you paid to the University will also be retained by the University
• you have overstayed, either intentionally or unintentionally, on a previous visa before submitting your new visa application.

Please note that the University of Salford also adheres to a maximum two CAS per course policy.  This means that if your Student Visa application has been refused and the University is able to issue you with a second CAS number for the course of study you are applying for, this will also be your last CAS for any course of study at the University of Salford. If you receive another Student Visa refusal we will not sponsor you under a Student Visa.

Once you have received you CAS, you can make your Student Visa application to apply for ‘permission to enter’. You must ensure you make your visa application in plenty of time so that you will receive a decision in time to arrive for the start date of your course. Visa processing times can vary across the world but are usually processed within 6-8 weeks.

Please note: you should always refer to the most recent Home Office rules and guidance before making a Student Visa application.  

How to apply for permission to enter

To make a successful permission to enter application you must be able to demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the Student Route. This means that you must be able to provide:

• Your CAS number

You must write your CAS number in the appropriate field on the Student Visa application form.  The Home Office will check this number to confirm that you are starting a course of study with the University of Salford.

• ATAS

If your CAS indicates that you require an ATAS Certificate, please read the ATAS guide.

• Certificates and Transcripts

If your CAS indicates that you need to submit academic documents to the Home Office, you must send the original documents.

• Financial Evidence

You must submit original financial evidence that you have enough money to support yourself whilst studying in the UK (this must be the financial evidence that we have checked before issuing you a CAS).

• Tuberculosis Screening

You will need to have a tuberculosis (TB) test at a UKVI approved clinic if you are coming to the UK for more than 6 months and are a resident of any of these listed countries.  If your test shows you do not have TB you will be given a certificate that is valid for 6 months.  You will need to include this certificate with your UK visa application.  You can read more information on the Home Office website.

You do not need to apply for a TB certificate if:

• you are a diplomat accredited to the UK  
• you are a returning UK resident and have not been away for more than 2 years  
• you lived for at least 6 months in a country where TB screening is not required by the UK, and you have been away from that country for no more than 6 months  

• Translations

If your immigration application includes any documents which are not in English or Welsh, you must also include an original certified translation of each document which meets specific requirements.

Completing your Student Visa application

To apply for a Student Visa you will need to complete an online application.

Please note: If you have ever overstayed and/or breached any of the conditions of your visa during a previous stay in the UK, you must disclose this on all applications you submit to the Home Office. If you do not disclose this information, you risk being refused a visa for a long period of time (up to 10 years).  

Preparing and completing the application

1. Before completing your Student Visa application, please familiarise yourself with the most recent Home Office rules and guidance.  
2. Look at the process for submitting the application in your country. You will be able to find out whether you need to make an appointment or complete an online form and if you need to have a tuberculosis test.  
3. Complete the online application form. At this point you may need to pay an immigration health surcharge. The Home Office website has a calculator to find out if you need to pay the immigration health surcharge and how much you need to pay.
4. Submit the completed visa application as directed for your country.

Submitting the application

You will need to pay a visa application fee, however, some visa application centres also charge an additional ‘User pays fee’.

In some countries, you may be able to pay an additional ‘priority fee’ or a ‘super priority fee’ to have your Student Visa application processed quicker. To find your local visa application centre and check which services are available, select your home country from the list of visa application centres.

Biometrics

Once you have completed your visa application form, you will be instructed to make an appointment to provide your biometric information.

Credibility interview

Student Visa applicants must attend a visa interview (also known as a credibility interview) at a visa application centre. This interview is to ensure you are entering the UK for genuine reasons. Your interview will be with a Home Office staff member and you will be asked a variety of questions. You should make sure that you are fully prepared for your credibility interview.

The report of your credibility interview will be sent to the entry clearance officer who makes the decision on your Student Visa application.

Visa applications made outside of your home country

You must make the visa application from your home country unless you currently hold some form of residency for the country you wish to make your application from. Libyan nationals are currently advised to make their visa applications from Tunis as there is no British Embassy currently operating within Libya. Afghan and Ukrainian nationals should also consult the latest information on the UKCISA website.

Important changes for international students from 2024

On 23 May 2023, the UK Government announced some important changes for international students that are due to come into effect from 1 January 2024. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided a useful summary of these changes and included FAQs on their website.  

We advise individuals who may be impacted by these changes to take a look at the information provided by UKCISA; further updates will be shared on their website when more details are available from the government.

Here at the University of Salford we are also closely monitoring this situation and are represented on various committees that will be able to feed into conversations about these changes.

The time required to get a decision on your visa application will depend on where you are making your application, however you should normally expect a decision within 6-8 weeks.

My application has been successful

Congratulations! Your permission to enter visa will be issued as a vignette (sticker) in your passport.  

If your Student Visa application was for 6 months or less, your vignette will be valid for your whole period of leave. Otherwise, your vignette will only be valid for 90 days. Your vignette will be valid 30 days before the course start date on your CAS or 7 days before the date that you specified on your application as your intended date of travel to the UK; whichever is later. You will receive your 90 day vignette with a ‘decision letter’.  When you enter the UK you should show the border force officer your 90-day vignette and this letter.

You must collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) within 10 days of arriving in the UK.  Your decision letter will indicate where you should collect your BRP from and when it will be available.  Please see our further information for details on how to collect your BRP.  You need to check your BRP carefully to ensure it includes all the correct information and that there are no errors.

We also need to know your immigration status. Please contact us quoting your student ID number when you have received your BRP (if this is after international check-in) and provide a scan of both sides of it. This must be done as soon as you receive the documents.

You should also keep your own records up to date.  We recommend keeping a photocopy of your vignette and your BRP.  You should also put a note in your diary 3 months before your visa will expire to remind you to make the necessary preparations in case you need to extend it or switch to another immigration category.   .   

My application has been refused

If the Home Office refuse your application you should contact the CAS Assessment Department quoting your student ID number immediately to discuss your options.

If the Home Office refuse your application and you think that, based on the evidence you submitted with your application, the refusal was incorrect, you can ask for an administrative review.  The administrative review process is explained in the Home Office's Administrative Review Guidance.  

There is an £80 fee for this but you must request the Administrative Review within 28 days of the date you receive your refusal notice. You cannot submit new or different documents (unless it fits into the criteria listed on page 45 of the Administrative Review Guidance) but we recommend that you include a detailed letter explaining why you believe the decision is incorrect.

Depending on your individual circumstances, you may instead be able to make a new entry clearance application.  You can discuss your options with our CAS Assessment Department (please quote your student ID number in all correspondence).

As soon as you have been issued with a visa showing the University of Salford’s sponsor licence number, you and the University of Salford both have a responsibility to comply with Student Visa immigration rules.

Please familiarise yourself with what is expected on the UKCISA website and your key responsibilities.  Remember – your visa, your responsibility.

To be granted a Student Visa you need to score 70 points:

• 50 points are achieved by having a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS);
• 10 points are awarded for meeting tuition fee and maintenance requirements;
• 10 points are for demonstrating you have the necessary English language skills to undertake your programme of study.

You can find more information about a Student visa on the Home Office website and the UKCISA website.  

What is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and why do I need one?

A CAS is a unique reference number that you must have before making a Student Visa application.  You must write the CAS number in the appropriate field on the Student Visa application form.  The Home Office will check this number to confirm that you are continuing on your course of study with the University of Salford.

How long is the CAS valid for?

Your CAS is valid for 6 months from the date it was assigned by the University of Salford and, after this, your CAS will automatically expire if it has not been used.  You cannot make a Student Visa application more than 6 months before the start of your course, with a CAS number that has already expired or with a CAS number that has already been used in a visa application.

If you are currently registered on a course and you want to extend your visa, you will need to request a CAS number online (see below).

Am I eligible for a CAS extension? 

You can only request a CAS up to 3 months before your current visa is due to expire.  However, you should arrange to gather any documentary evidence you need in advance.

How do I apply for my CAS?

You need to apply for your CAS online via Salford Advantage.

What information do I need to provide?

In order to apply for your CAS number, you will need to provide certain information, including:

1. Details of any student visas you have held to study in the United Kingdom.

2. Details of any visa refusals you may have had (for any country in the world).

3. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself whilst studying in the UK: 

• if you are sponsored by an official financial sponsor, you will need an official sponsor letter as evidence
• If you are supporting yourself, you will need to show that the required maintenance amount and any outstanding tuition fee amounts have been held in your bank account for 28 consecutive days.
• If your financial evidence is not in English or Welsh, you will need to submit an original certified translation.  

You can find information on how much money you need to show to meet the Home Office’s requirements and how to demonstrate this on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website and in the Home Office’s Student Visa Policy Guidance.

4. Your Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (where applicable).  If you require an ATAS certificate, please read our guide.

5. Provide evidence that you have left the country (such as scanned copies of an exit stamp in your passport, boarding pass or air ticket) to HomeOfficeCompliance@salford.ac.uk quoting your student ID number.

How long will it take for my CAS to be issued?

The Home Office Compliance team will need to complete various checks before your CAS can be issued.  Your CAS will normally take up to a week (5 working days) to issue once all required information has been provided.

What will my CAS look like?

Your CAS will be emailed to you.  When you receive this, please check all the information carefully to make sure everything is correct.  If there are any errors, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing us quoting your student ID number.

What is the University’s policy on issuing CAS following a visa refusal?

The University may be able to issue you with a new CAS following a visa refusal.  As Immigration Rules are subject to change, each refusal will be considered on a case by case basis before deciding if a new CAS can be issued.  

For example, you will not be issued with a new CAS if your visa refusal was based on any of the following:

• you have failed a credibility interview
• you have submitted different documents to those checked by the University before we issued you a CAS
• you have submitted fraudulent documents, either intentionally or unintentionally. In this case the full study deposit you paid to the University will also be retained by the University
• you have overstayed, either intentionally or unintentionally, on a previous visa before submitting your new visa application.

Please note that the University of Salford also adheres to a maximum two CAS per course policy.  This means that if your Student Visa application has been refused and the University is able to issue you with a second CAS number for the course of study you are applying for, this will also be your last CAS for any course of study at the University of Salford. If you receive another Student Visa refusal we will not sponsor you under a Student Visa.

Once you have received you CAS, you can make your Student Visa application to apply for ‘permission to enter’.

Please note: you should always refer to the most recent Home Office rules and guidance before making a Student Visa application.

How to apply for permission to enter

To make a successful permission to enter visa application you must be able to demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the Student Route. This means that you must be able to provide:

• Your CAS number

You must write your CAS number in the appropriate field on the Student Visa application form.  The Home Office will check this number to confirm that you are continuing on your course of study with the University of Salford.

• ATAS

If your CAS indicates that you require an ATAS Certificate, please read our ATAS guide.

• Certificates and Transcripts

If your CAS indicates that you need to submit academic documents to the Home Office, you must send the original documents.

• Financial Evidence

You must submit original financial evidence that you have enough money to support yourself whilst studying in the UK (this must be the financial evidence that we have checked before issuing you a CAS).

• Tuberculosis Screening

You do not need to apply for a TB certificate if:

• you are a diplomat accredited to the UK
• you are a returning UK resident and have not been away for more than 2 years
• you lived for at least 6 months in a country where TB screening is not required by the UK, and you have been away from that country for no more than 6 months

Depending on your situation, there may be certain instances where you will need to take another tuberculosis (TB) test.

• Translations

If your immigration application includes any documents which are not in English or Welsh, you must also include an original certified translation of each document which meets specific requirements.

Completing your Student Visa application

To apply for a Student Visa you will need to complete an online application.  

Please note: If you have ever overstayed and/or breached any of the conditions of your immigration permission during a previous stay in the UK, you must disclose this on all applications you submit to the Home Office.  If you do not disclose this information, you risk being refused a visa for a long period of time (up to 10 years).  

Preparing and completing the application

1. Before completing your Student Visa application, please familiarise yourself with the most recent Home Office rules and guidance.
2. Look at the process for submitting the application in your country. You will be able to find out whether you need to make an appointment or complete an online form and if you need to have a tuberculosis test.
3. Complete the online application form.  As part of the application, you will be directed to pay for your immigration health surcharge.  You can use the calculator to see if you need to pay the immigration health surcharge and how much you need to pay.
4. Submit the completed application as directed for your country.

Submitting the application

To find out the cost of your visa application, see the Home Office’s Visa fees pages.  Some visa application centres also charge an additional ‘User pays fee’.

In some countries, you can pay an additional ‘priority fee’ or a ‘super priority fee’ to have your Student Visa application processed quicker.  To find your local visa application centre and check which services are available, select your home country from the list of visa application centres. 

Biometrics

Once you have completed your visa application form, you will be instructed to make a biometric appointment.  At this appointment, you will have to provide your biometric information.

Visa (‘Credibility’) interview

Student Visa applicants must attend a visa (or credibility) interview at a visa application centre.  This interview is to ensure you are entering the UK for genuine reasons.  Your interview will be with a Home Office staff member and you will be asked a variety of questions.  You should make sure that you are fully prepared for your credibility interview.

A report of your credibility interview will be sent to the entry clearance officer who is making a decision on your Student Visa application.

Visa applications made outside of your home country

You must make the visa application from your home country unless you currently hold some form of residency for the country you wish to make your application from. Libyan nationals are currently advised to make their visa applications from Tunis as there is no British Embassy operating within Libya. There are also special arrangements for Afghan and Ukrainian nationals.

Important changes for international students from 2024

On 23 May 2023, the UK Government announced some important changes for international students that are due to come into effect from 1 January 2024. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided a useful summary of these changes and included FAQs on their website.  

We advise individuals who may be impacted by these changes to take a look at the information provided by UKCISA; further updates will be shared on their website when more details are available from the government.

Here at the University of Salford we are also closely monitoring this situation and are represented on various committees that will be able to feed into conversations about these changes.

The time required to get a decision on your visa application will depend on where you are making your application and what service you have chosen. You should normally expect to receive a decision within 6-8 weeks.

My application has been successful

Congratulations! Your permission to enter will be issued as a vignette (sticker) in your passport.  

If your Student Visa application was for 6 months or less, your vignette will be valid for your whole period of leave.  Otherwise, your vignette will only be valid for 90 days.  Your vignette will be valid 30 days before the course start date on your CAS or 7 days before the date that you specified on your application as your intended date of travel to the UK; whichever is later.  You will receive your 90 day vignette with a ‘decision letter’.  When you enter the UK you should show the border force officer your 90-day vignette and this letter.

You must collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) within 10 days of arriving in the UK.  Your decision letter will indicate where you should collect your BRP from and when it will be available.   You need to check your BRP carefully to make sure it includes all the correct information and that there are no errors.

We also need to know your immigration status.  Please contact us quoting your student ID number so we can arrange to see your documents.

You should also keep your own records up to date.  We recommend keeping a photocopy of your vignette and your BRP.  You should also put a note in your diary 3 months before your visa will expire to remind you to make the necessary preparations to leave the UK or extend your visa / switch into another immigration category. 

My application has been refused

If the Home Office refuse your application you should contact the Home Office Compliance team immediately quoting your student ID number to discuss your options.

If the Home Office refuse your application and you think that, based on the evidence you submitted with your application, the refusal was incorrect, you can ask for an Administrative Review.  The administrative review process is explained in the Home Office's Administrative Review Guidance.  

There is an £80 fee for this and you must request the administrative review within 28 days of the date you receive your refusal notice.  You cannot submit new or different documents (unless it fits into the criteria listed on page 45 of the Administrative Review Guidance) but we recommend that you include a detailed letter explaining why you believe the decision is incorrect.

Depending on your individual circumstances, you may instead be able to make a new entry clearance application.  You can discuss your options with the Home Office Compliance team (please quote your student ID number in all correspondence).

As soon as you have been issued with a visa showing the University of Salford’s sponsor licence number, you and the University of Salford both have a responsibility to comply with Student Visa immigration rules.

Please familiarise yourself with what is expected on the UKCISA website and your key responsibilities.  Remember – your visa, your responsibility.