Passport photo page
Use a clear, current passport photo page. Names, nationality, date of birth and expiry must match the application and CAS.
Check official guidance ↗
PREPARE BEFORE YOU APPLY
Your course.
Your documents.
Your next step.
Gather your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), passport, questionnaire and supporting evidence in one folder. Check the details against your own university’s instructions.
01 / DOCUMENT PREPARATIONSTUDENT · OUTSIDE THE UK
UK STUDENT VISA · APPLYING FROM OUTSIDE THE UK
Student preparation checklist
This checklist highlights evidence to review. Document detection confirms content type, not authenticity, and does not itself establish a financial exemption.
Application form or VSA questionnaire
Include the completed application answers so the review can check identity, route, study purpose, funding, residence, family and immigration history against the evidence.
Check official guidance ↗Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Your CAS is the reference and course record issued by your education provider. Compare it with your passport and application: spelling, personal details, course dates, fees paid and sponsorship. Ask your provider to correct errors before applying.
Check official guidance ↗Funding evidence
The required evidence depends on the selected funding route.
Check official guidance ↗ATAS clearance
ATAS depends on your course and nationality. Check your CAS, course provider and the official guidance. If required, obtain the correct certificate before applying; a missing upload does not establish whether ATAS is required.
Check official guidance ↗TB certificate
Check the official residence and stay-length rules to see whether a TB test applies. If required, use an approved clinic and check the certificate details and validity.
Check official guidance ↗English and qualification evidence
Add the English-language or qualification evidence relied on where it is not fully recorded and assessed on the CAS.
Check official guidance ↗Other supporting evidence
Add certified translations, previous sponsor consent, relationship evidence and any refusal, cancellation or other document needed for the applicant’s circumstances.
Check official guidance ↗Preparation sequence informed by the University of Nottingham guide, with official GOV.UK requirements linked above. Reviewed 18 September 2026. Use your own course provider’s CAS instructions. VSA is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University.
The automated review helps identify document issues. It does not replace your university’s immigration team or decide whether you qualify for a visa.