A Pre-Study Abroad Guide for Prospective College Students | eVisa? BRP? Clear Your Confusion!

Key Points

What are the visa application documents?

How do I submit my application?

How do I use an eVisa?

How do I obtain my CAS (Acceptance Letter)?

See how to obtain a G5.

Visa Application Documents

As an undergraduate student from China studying in the UK, starting at the end of 2024, when applying for a UK student visa, you will receive an electronic visa (eVisa) directly, eliminating the need to obtain a physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

The BRP has now been fully converted to an eVisa!

The following documents are required for a UK visa application:

Valid Chinese passport
CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance) issued by a UK university
Proof of sufficient funds
Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS)
Tuberculosis medical certificate (required for Chinese students)
Proof of payment of the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

*How to obtain the CAS is explained at the end of this article.

Applying for a student visa online

Visit the UK government website to submit your student visa application:

https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/apply (copy and paste this into your browser).

You must complete your visa application in China before arriving in the UK.

Open the website and click on the mark in the image below.
Follow the instructions on the website to apply for your visa.

As shown in the second image, the visa application fee is £524.
UK visas can be expedited for a fee!

If you are pressed for time, click on the mark in the image on the website to view expedited processing options.

Using a mobile app

If you hold a newer Chinese passport with a biometric chip, you may be asked to use the “UK Immigration: ID Check” mobile app for identity verification.

Using this app, you can:

• Complete identity verification online
• Upload a photo and passport chip information
• Skip the visa application center appointment and fingerprint collection process
• Obtain an eVisa directly without obtaining a BRP

On a mobile app, such as the iOS App Store, search for the app name above, as shown below.

How to View Your eVisa
After your visa is approved, you will receive an eVisa. You can view and prove your immigration status through the following website:

https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status

You can show your visa status to landlords, employers, or universities without a BRP.

Click the green box 👇 below on the website.

How to Obtain a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance)

① Obtain an Unconditional Offer

In the UK university admissions process:

You will first receive a conditional offer.If you meet all the conditions (pass the conditional offer),recent graduates will need to wait for standardized test scores (such as language scores and academic scores) to be released before receiving an unconditional offer. Offer)

*The school will only issue a CAS after receiving an unconditional offer.

② Pay a deposit (usually a tuition fee deposit)
Most universities require a tuition fee deposit of a certain amount before issuing a CAS, ranging from £1,000 to £4,000.
Some schools may also require proof of funds.

③ Submit a CAS application form/questionnaire (some schools)
The school may ask you to complete a “CAS Questionnaire” including:
Passport information
Visa history
Financial information
Visa refusals
*If you have a previous UK visa history, be sure to fill it out truthfully.

④ The school will review and issue the CAS
After reviewing the application, the school will email:

An email titled “CAS Statement” or “Your CAS is ready”
Contains: CAS number, course information, tuition fee information, etc.

Carefully check all information on the CAS to ensure there are no spelling errors, incorrect course dates, or incorrect payment amounts. If there are any issues, contact the school immediately to make corrections.
Once you receive your CAS, start your visa application immediately!

G5 Universities:
☑️Oxford, Cambridge, and UCL will automatically send you a CAS (Cases of Accounts) to your email address once you meet all admission requirements.
*Oxford and Cambridge will contact you through their colleges, not the entire university system.
❌Imperial College London:
Once you receive an unconditional offer, you will need to log in to your student portal, MyImperial, complete the CAS Questionnaire, and upload your passport and other documents. Your CAS will be issued only after the university has reviewed your application.
CAS team contact information:
Email: international@imperial.ac.uk
Official guidance: Imperial CAS guidance

❌London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE):
Once you meet the admission requirements, LSE will invite you to complete an online questionnaire and submit your financial and passport information. Your CAS will be issued after review.
CAS team contact information:
Email: admissions.visas@lse.ac.uk
Official information: LSE CAS page