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How to get your visa

If you have an unconditional offer for your degree

The University's Admissions office will issue you with a Confirmation for Acceptance to Study (CAS) number. This is the unique reference number that you need to apply for your visa.

This CAS will cover the duration of both your pre-sessional course and your degree because you already have an unconditional offer for your degree.

If you have a conditional offer for your degree

ELT will help you to apply for your visa. The CAS we issue will only cover the duration of the pre-sessional course. If you complete the course successfully, the University's Student Support Service will assist you with your visa extention.

We cannot issue conditional offer-holders with a visa to cover the duration of both the pre-sessional course and your degree. This is because you have not yet met all of the conditions attached to your degree offer. 

Please note that you will not be allowed to begin a pre-sessional course if the visa you present to us during Orientation does not show the unique University of St Andrews sponsor license number. This unique number - V63Q719H2 - is only displayed on visas issued by the University of St Andrews:

What happens next

In order to get a visa, we need to issue you with a CAS number. The process is as follows:

  • We will send you a 'pre-CAS email' as soon as possible after we have received your deposit
  • Check the information in the email very carefully and confirm that the information is correct as soon as possible

When we receive your confirmation, it will take around 5 working days before we are able to issue your CAS:

  • We will notify you of the CAS number by email
  • You can then use the CAS number to apply for your visa

Do not pay any further fees during this stage of the process as this could delay the issue of your CAS.

Support

If you do not have an educational agent or representative to help you with the visa application process, please see the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) website. If you have any difficulties, please contact us.

Payment of fees

Due to changes in immigration rules introduced by the UKBA in April 2012, we strongly recommend that you do not pay more than your deposit until you have received your CAS and have been successful in your visa application.

After you have received your visa, you should pay the balance of your fees.