Visa process guide
If you are an international, EU, EEA or Swiss student studying in the UK for more than six months you will likely need a visa to study in the UK.
You can only begin your visa application when you have:
- accepted an unconditional offer
- received your entrant email and provided the requested information
- received your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number
What is a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. It is a unique reference number and electronic document that you need in order to apply for a student visa to study in the UK.
What needs to happen before the CAS process can begin?
Once you have been issued and have accepted an unconditional offer from the University and have completed all the steps below, there is an administrative process that will be completed to move you from ‘applicant’ to ‘entrant’. This will happen no earlier than mid-March.
- You have made your pre-payment.
- You have submitted all required documentation, including, but not limited to, proof of qualifications if applicable, the Young Student Authorisation form if applicable, and a criminal records check.
Once these steps are completed in full, you will be issued your ‘entrant email’ to your new University email account and the University will then start the CAS process. The University will contact you by email to request the relevant documentation and information.
Read our guide to the full CAS process for more information.
Where can I find additional guidance about how to apply for a visa to study in the UK?
Visit our Student Immigration Service webpage for additional guidance about how to apply for a visa to study in the UK.
Do I need a student visa before I travel to Scotland?
Yes. Please do not travel to the UK until you have received confirmation your visa is granted and until your visa start date. You cannot commence your studies until you have a valid and active student visa. You must also set up your eVisa account before you travel to avoid facing delays or issues at the airport or border.
Summer is the peak period for visa applications, when processing times can be significantly longer. We strongly advise you to apply for your visa immediately after receiving your CAS number to avoid delays that could impact your start date.
If you cannot apply until later in the summer you might be best paying for a priority decision. Payments start at an additional £500 for a decision within five working days. The standard decision timescale, from the date you submit your biometrics, is 15 working days. From submitting biometrics to receiving your visa may take three to four weeks in total.
What happens if my visa is delayed?
Unfortunately, delays happen. Waiting is the only course of action in this scenario, so please ensure you apply in plenty of time. Contact the University's Visa Compliance team at visas@st-andrews.ac.uk if there is a risk you will not arrive for the latest start date of your course. Please refer to the failure to matriculate policy for more information on missing your start date.
If the UKVI cannot meet their advertised timescale they will email you to advise. Delays happen for all sorts of reasons and, unfortunately, the UKVI will not give any details about why there is a delay, and they will not provide a resolution timescale. While we sympathise that this may be a stressful time, the University cannot contact UKVI on your behalf.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
Please email our international advisers at advint@st-andrews.ac.uk if you have questions about the student visa application process.