Visas

In order for you to study at the University of Lincoln you will need to obtain a Tier 4 (general) student visa from the UK Border Agency (UKBA). For your visa application to be successful it needs to be officially sponsored by the University of Lincoln. Official sponsorship is represented by a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Study).

What is the CAS?

The CAS is an electronic document that will contain personal and course specific details. This document will be emailed to you within 3-5 working days after you have successfully requested a CAS. This document does not need to be submitted when you apply for your visa, you just need to copy the “CAS Number” into your visa application form.

You must read through the CAS and make sure it is correct. If any of the information is incorrect you must contact the University immediately. If you do not, the University will not be held responsible for any subsequent problems with your visa application.

How and when to Request a CAS

New Students

New students can request a CAS up to 4 months before the start of the course. Your CAS will not be sent to you until 3 months before the start of the course.

To request a CAS from the University you will need to:

  • Hold an unconditional offer from the University
  • Have paid, at least, your fee deposit if you are a postgraduate student (your offer letter will inform you what deposit is required) - If you are an undergraduate student you do not need to pay a deposit
  • Provide the University’s Admissions Office with a copy of your ATAS certificate, if one is required. You will have been notified in advance if you require an ATAS certificate.
  • Complete the CAS request form (please see the link below)

Continuing Students

Existing students can request a CAS up to 6 months before their current visa expires.

To request a CAS from the University you will need to:

  • Be currently enrolled on a full time programme
  • To currently hold a valid student visa
  • Have paid all outstanding fees from previous academic years
  • Have paid all outstanding fees for the current academic year or have a payment plan in place
  • Have been given an extension on your last hand in date which falls after your current visa expires
  • Complete the CAS request form (please see the link below).

CAS Request Form

Making your Visa application

The Immigration rules are frequently amended and you need to ensure that you meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules which are in force on the date that you submit your application.

If you want to make a successful Tier 4 (general) application you need to:

  • Make sure you read and understand the UKBA’S Tier 4 Policy Guidance. You can find this along with links to the relevant application forms and guidance notes by following this link - http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/
  • Make sure you meet all the requirements before you apply
  • Make sure you provide all the required evidence in the exact format required by the UKBA, this is explained in the policy guidance and the application form
  • Make sure you complete all the sections in the form accurately
  • Make sure your application does not come under the general grounds for refusal.

You can also find further information and guidance to help you by visiting the UKCISA website http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/

Arrival and Enrolment at the University

Once you have gained your student visa, you need to arrive in Lincoln by the ‘start date’ given in your CAS. You must enrol as soon as possible after you arrive at the University.

You must bring the following to enrolment:

  • Passport
  • Biometric ID card if you have one
  • The original documents listed in the ‘evidence’ section of your CAS.

    You will not be able to enrol without these documents

If you currently hold a visa with a different sponsor and are transferring to the University of Lincoln, you must make a new visa application before you can enrol. We will require proof that you have posted the application, although you can enrol before the application is processed.