CAS Number: frequently asked questions

Yes, providing you meet the UK Government's requirements relating to 'academic progression' and time limits.

The qualification you have applied to study should normally be at a higher level than any qualification you have previously studied on a UK student visa. For example, if you have previously studied a Bachelors degree in the UK, the next qualification of study here should be at Master's level or higher. In some circumstances, it is possible to study at the same academic level as a previous course. We will let you know whether this is possible after you submit your degree course application.

The process of arranging your CAS number will begin after you have accepted your programme and paid your deposit, but not normally more than three months before the programme starts. This is because any request for a visa for a programme that does not start for more than three months will be rejected. 

We strongly advise that you do not book flights or accommodation in the UK until you have received your visa.

If the email address you used in your application is no longer valid, please let us know your new address by emailing [email protected] Please include in your email your name, your applicant number, and the title of the course you have applied to study.

If you have applied for a taught postgraduate programme and we have asked you to pay a fee deposit, we will only apply for your CAS number when you have paid your fee deposit.

You can only apply for your visa a maximum of three months before your programme starts, so we only apply for your CAS number when it is less than three months before the course start date.

No, you can only apply for your visa with the CAS number arranged by the College.

No. Only government-approved education providers can apply for CAS numbers, on behalf of applicants who have applied to study with them. The RCA is an approved education provider.

Your visa application will be refused. It is essential that all the relevant information must be present and the same as on your passport and supporting documents. This is why it is important that you check your visa application very carefully.

No. The Home Office do charge a fee for issuing a CAS number, but the College will pay this.

When the Home Office have assigned you a CAS number, we will email you to confirm this.

The College processes hundreds of student cases, and the processing of these is a very detailed and time-consuming one. We aim to provide you with your CAS as early as possible, but the CAS number cannot be provided more than 3 months before the start of your course. We aim to provide it to you within 20 days of this three-month deadline, or within 10 working days of receipt of the necessary documentation (whichever is the later). If you have not received your CAS Statement within these time frames, please let us know by emailing [email protected]

Applicants often receive their results in late August and still manage to arrange their CAS number and visa in time to start their course in September. If you receive an offer only a few weeks before your course is due to start, we should be able to arrange your CAS number within approximately a week. Visa offices are aware of the deadlines applicants are working to and try to accommodate this where possible.

After you have received your CAS number, you can find details of how to make your visa application on the Home Office website. Please note that you will only be able to apply for your visa a maximum of three months before the date your course is due to start.

You can use your CAS number to apply for a visa up to three months before the date your course is due to start.

No. The CAS number links to an electronic record on the Home Office database, and so you will only need to enter the number on your visa application.

You CAS number will be valid for six months. This means that you should apply for your visa within six months of being issued with a CAS number. Please note that you will only be able to apply for your visa a maximum of three months before the date your course is due to start.

No. CAS numbers are linked to the specific programme you have applied for. This is why we only apply for a CAS number when you have accepted an offer.

No. Your CAS number is unique to you.

No. Applicants must meet all the other requirements of the UK's immigration rules. You can find more information about this on the Home Office website. Please note that you will only be able to apply for your visa a maximum of three months before the date your course is due to start.

No. If your visa application is unsuccessful, you will need a new CAS number to re-apply. Before a new CAS number can be assigned, you will need to notify the College’s Admissions team by emailing [email protected]. An adviser will then let you know whether a new CAS number can be assigned. If a new CAS number is assigned, you should use this new number when you re-apply for a visa.

Once you have been allocated a CAS number, the College is required to report you to the Home Office if you break the terms and conditions of your visa. This requirement applies to all universities, not just the Royal College of Art. You can ensure that you comply with the terms and conditions of your student visa by doing the following:

• Enrol for every year of your studies. If you are unable to enrol, you must inform the College so that we know where you are.
• Keep good attendance at all teaching sessions. If you are in the UK on a student visa you must study full time.
• Do not take a break from your studies unless this is absolutely necessary
• Do not work more hours than permitted during term time. You can work full time during the vacation periods.

The College will notify the Home Office if:

• You do not register
• You are absent, without authorisation, from teaching sessions
• You withdraw from your course
• You take an authorised leave of absence
• You change your course of study
• We know that you have broken the terms and conditions of your visa

Information about other aspects of the visa application process can be found on the Home Office website. Advice is available from the UKCISA website.