<p>The 60 days between receiving your CAS and arriving in the UK are the most administratively intense period of the university application process. Missing a single step can cascade into delays, lost deposits, or an inability to start your course on time. Here is a week-by-week plan.</p> <h2 id="tldr">TL;DR</h2> <ul> <li>Weeks 1–2: Apply for your visa immediately after CAS receipt; book biometric appointment</li> <li>Weeks 2–4: Secure accommodation (university halls or private rental), set up finances</li> <li>Weeks 3–6: Wait for visa decision; book flights (flexible/changeable tickets); arrange travel insurance</li> <li>Weeks 4–8: Receive visa, book final travel, pack, complete university pre-enrolment tasks</li> <li>The most common failure points: not applying for the visa immediately, not checking the CAS for errors, and not having financial evidence ready before the CAS arrives</li> <li>For Clearing students, this timeline is compressed to 4–6 weeks—everything must happen faster</li> </ul> <h2 id="week-12-visa-application-launch">Week 1–2: Visa Application Launch</h2> <h3 id="day-1-check-your-cas-statement">Day 1: Check Your CAS Statement</h3> <p>When you receive your CAS email, open the CAS statement immediately. Do not wait. Check:</p> <ul> <li>Your name (exact match with passport)</li> <li>Date of birth</li> <li>Passport number</li> <li>Course title, start date, end date</li> <li>Tuition fee (first year) and any payments recorded</li> <li>English language qualification details</li> <li>ATAS requirement (if applicable)</li> <li>Any document numbers referenced</li> </ul> <p>If you find an error, contact your university’s admissions or international student office immediately. CAS corrections typically take 2–5 working days. Do not submit your visa application with an incorrect CAS—it will be refused or delayed.</p> <h3 id="day-13-prepare-financial-evidence">Day 1–3: Prepare Financial Evidence</h3> <p>If you haven’t already prepared your financial documentation, start immediately. The 28-day rule means your funds must have been held for 28 consecutive days by the time you apply. If you’re starting from zero, you need to deposit the required amount and wait 28 days before submitting your visa application.</p> <p><strong>Action</strong>: Open or download bank statements showing the required funds held for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of your planned application date. For parent-funded applications: obtain the consent letter and birth certificate.</p> <h3 id="day-35-complete-online-visa-application">Day 3–5: Complete Online Visa Application</h3> <p>Apply through the UKVI website. The form takes 1–2 hours to complete. You’ll need:</p> <ul> <li>CAS number</li> <li>Passport details</li> <li>Travel history (previous UK visits, visa refusals)</li> <li>Financial evidence (ready to upload)</li> <li>IHS payment (calculated automatically based on course duration)</li> </ul> <h3 id="day-57-book-biometric-appointment">Day 5–7: Book Biometric Appointment</h3> <p>After submitting the online application, book the earliest available biometric appointment at your nearest Visa Application Centre. Peak season (July–September) appointments can have 1–2 week waiting times in some locations.</p> <h3 id="week-2-submit-documents-and-attend-biometrics">Week 2: Submit Documents and Attend Biometrics</h3> <p>Upload all supporting documents through the VFS Global or TLScontact portal (whichever your VAC uses). Attend your biometric appointment. After biometrics, your application processing clock starts.</p> <h2 id="week-24-accommodation-and-finances">Week 2–4: Accommodation and Finances</h2> <h3 id="accommodation">Accommodation</h3> <p><strong>University halls</strong>: Most universities guarantee accommodation for international students who apply by the deadline (typically June–July). If you haven’t applied yet, do it now. You’ll typically need to:</p> <ul> <li>Complete the online accommodation application</li> <li>Pay an advance rent payment or deposit (GBP 200–500)</li> <li>Indicate preferences (room type, catering, location)</li> <li>Accept the accommodation offer when it arrives</li> </ul> <p><strong>Private rental</strong>: If you’re renting privately, this is when you should:</p> <ul> <li>Finalise your tenancy agreement</li> <li>Pay the holding deposit (typically 1 week’s rent) and security deposit (typically 5 weeks’ rent)</li> <li>Arrange a guarantor (many landlords require a UK-based guarantor; services like Housing Hand provide guarantor services for international students)</li> <li>Confirm your move-in date</li> </ul> <p><strong>Important</strong>: Do not pay money for accommodation you haven’t verified exists. Rental scams targeting international students are common. Use university-vetted accommodation platforms (AmberStudent, Casita, Student.com) or the university’s own accommodation service. Never transfer money to a private landlord without a signed tenancy agreement and independent verification that the property exists.</p> <h3 id="uk-bank-account">UK Bank Account</h3> <p>You can open a UK bank account before arriving. Several digital banks allow international students to open accounts with only a passport and CAS:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Monzo, Starling, Revolut</strong>: Digital accounts; open online; may require UK address</li> <li><strong>HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds</strong>: Traditional banks; often require in-person verification; some offer international student accounts that can be partially set up before arrival</li> </ul> <p>Opening an account now—even if it’s not fully functional until you arrive—reduces the administrative burden during your first week.</p> <h3 id="tuition-fee-payment">Tuition Fee Payment</h3> <p>Check your university’s tuition fee payment deadline. Most universities offer:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Full payment upfront</strong>: Typically 2–4 weeks before course start; may offer a small discount (1–2%)</li> <li><strong>Instalment plan</strong>: Typically 2–3 instalments across the academic year; no additional fee</li> <li><strong>Direct debit</strong>: Monthly payments from a UK bank account (less common for international students)</li> </ul> <p>Paying before arrival avoids currency fluctuation risk (if your home currency depreciates against GBP, your effective cost increases). However, if you’re paying in instalments, you may benefit if your currency appreciates.</p> <h2 id="week-36-wait-and-prepare">Week 3–6: Wait and Prepare</h2> <h3 id="while-waiting-for-your-visa">While Waiting for Your Visa</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Book flights</strong>: Book flexible or changeable tickets. Do not book non-refundable flights until your visa is approved.</li> <li><strong>Research arrival</strong>: Plan your journey from the arrival airport to your accommodation. Most universities offer airport pickup services for international students on specific dates.</li> <li><strong>Complete pre-enrolment</strong>: Many universities require online pre-enrolment (confirming personal details, uploading a photo for your student ID) before arrival.</li> <li><strong>Register with a GP</strong>: You can register with a local doctor (GP) after arrival, but research which GP practices are near your accommodation and accept new patients.</li> <li><strong>Student discount cards</strong>: Apply for a 16–25 Railcard (GBP 30/year, 1/3 off rail fares), TOTUM card (student discount), and UNiDAYS/Student Beans (online retail discounts).</li> </ul> <h3 id="health-preparations">Health Preparations</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Vaccinations</strong>: Check if your university recommends specific vaccinations (meningitis, MMR). International students living in university accommodation are at higher risk of meningitis and are strongly advised to get the MenACWY vaccine.</li> <li><strong>Medication</strong>: If you take prescription medication, bring a supply for at least the first 3 months, along with a doctor’s letter explaining your prescription. Research how to register with a GP and continue your prescription in the UK.</li> <li><strong>Dental and optical</strong>: Get dental check-ups and eye tests before leaving. NHS dental treatment is subsidised but not free for adults; waiting lists can be long. Optical care is generally private.</li> </ul> <h2 id="week-48-visa-decision-and-final-preparations">Week 4–8: Visa Decision and Final Preparations</h2> <h3 id="when-your-visa-arrives">When Your Visa Arrives</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Check the vignette</strong>: Your passport will contain a 90-day entry vignette. Check: your name, dates, and visa conditions are correct.</li> <li><strong>Check the decision letter</strong>: It will specify where to collect your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)—typically a designated Post Office or your university. You must collect your BRP within 10 days of arrival in the UK or before your vignette expires, whichever is later.</li> <li><strong>Book final travel</strong>: Now that your visa is confirmed, book or confirm your travel dates.</li> </ul> <h3 id="packing">Packing</h3> <p><strong>Essential documents (carry in hand luggage)</strong>:</p> <ul> <li>Passport with visa vignette</li> <li>BRP collection letter</li> <li>CAS statement</li> <li>University offer letter and accommodation confirmation</li> <li>Financial evidence (bank statements, scholarship letters)</li> <li>Original qualification certificates</li> <li>TB test certificate (if applicable)</li> <li>Travel insurance documents</li> <li>Prescriptions and doctor’s letter</li> </ul> <p><strong>What not to bring</strong>:</p> <ul> <li>Large amounts of cash (GBP 200–300 for initial expenses is sufficient; use cards for the rest)</li> <li>Bedding, kitchen equipment, heavy textbooks (buy in the UK or order online for delivery to your accommodation)</li> <li>Electrical appliances with non-UK plugs (transformers are bulky; buy UK appliances after arrival)</li> </ul> <h2 id="week-8-final-week">Week 8: Final Week</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Confirm your arrival</strong>: Many universities require you to confirm your arrival date through an online portal. This triggers accommodation key collection, welcome pack preparation, and orientation scheduling.</li> <li><strong>Download apps</strong>: University app, UK train booking apps (Trainline), maps (Citymapper for London), banking app.</li> <li><strong>Notify your bank</strong>: Tell your home bank you’ll be using your cards in the UK to avoid them being blocked for “suspicious” international transactions.</li> </ul> <h2 id="faq">FAQ</h2> <p><strong>Q: What if my visa doesn’t arrive before my course start date?</strong> A: Contact your university immediately. Most universities allow international students to arrive up to 2–4 weeks after the course start date (this is called the “latest arrival date” and is specified on your CAS). If your visa won’t arrive before this date, the university may defer your place to the next intake or the following academic year. Do not travel to the UK on a visitor visa and try to switch—this is not permitted.</p> <p><strong>Q: Can I enter the UK before my course start date?</strong> A: Yes. You can enter up to 1 month before your course start date if your course lasts 6+ months, or up to 1 week before if your course is less than 6 months. The permitted entry window is printed on your visa vignette.</p> <p><strong>Q: What if my BRP has an error or doesn’t arrive?</strong> A: If your BRP contains an error, report it to UKVI within 10 days of collection. If your BRP doesn’t arrive at the collection location, contact the location first (Post Office or university), then UKVI if it’s confirmed missing. Replacements cost and take time—treat your BRP as carefully as your passport.</p> <p><strong>Q: When should I book my flight?</strong> A: Book a flexible ticket after receiving your CAS, and confirm final travel dates after receiving your visa. If you must book early for cost reasons, ensure the ticket is changeable (not just cancellable—you may need a different date, not a refund).</p>