CAS Letter Assistance UK Private Schools

Practical guidance for international families preparing school admission, CAS requirements and the wider relocation process for children studying at UK private schools

For international families sending a child to a UK private or boarding school, receiving a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, commonly known as a CAS, is an important stage of the visa process. The CAS confirms that an eligible independent school has offered the child a place and is sponsoring their study under the relevant immigration route.

However, families should understand that a CAS is not simply another admission document. It is connected to the school's sponsorship responsibilities and the child's visa application. For children studying at an independent school, the Child Student route may apply, depending on the child's age and circumstances.

Understanding how the CAS process works can help families avoid delays and coordinate school admission, accommodation, finances and relocation more effectively.

What is a CAS for a UK private school?

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is a reference issued by a licensed student sponsor after a student has been offered an appropriate place.

For children studying at independent schools, the school must hold the appropriate sponsor licence. The CAS is required for a Child Student visa application, and the school must still hold a valid sponsor licence when the visa application is decided.

The CAS normally contains information that connects the student, school and proposed course of study. Families should therefore check the details carefully before relying on the CAS for a visa application.

When does a private school issue a CAS?

A school generally reaches the CAS stage after the child has successfully completed the relevant admissions process and received an unconditional offer.

Depending on the school, the admissions process may involve:

• Application forms and supporting records

• Previous school reports

• Entrance examinations

• Interviews

• References

• Confirmation of the child's intended year of entry

• Acceptance of the school place

• Payment of required deposits or fees

• Confirmation of boarding or other approved living arrangements

The precise process differs between UK independent schools. Families should follow the school's own admissions and sponsorship instructions rather than assuming every private school operates in exactly the same way.

CAS assistance for families applying from overseas

Families applying from overseas often have several processes running at the same time.

A child may need to secure a school place, complete admissions requirements, confirm boarding arrangements, organise finances and prepare for a visa application. Property and relocation planning may also need to happen alongside these steps.

Good preparation means keeping the different stages organised.

Families should establish:

• Which school will sponsor the child

• Which visa route is appropriate

• Whether the school has confirmed the place as unconditional

• When the CAS is expected

• What information must be checked on the CAS

• Where the child will live during term and school holidays

• What financial evidence may be required

• Whether the family needs accommodation in the UK

• Who will coordinate the family's relocation arrangements

CAS and the Child Student visa

Children aged 4 to 17 who want to study at an independent school in the UK may qualify for the Child Student visa. The applicant must have an unconditional offer from an appropriate independent school, suitable UK living arrangements, sufficient funds and parental or legal guardian consent.

A CAS from the school forms part of the visa requirements.

Families applying from outside the UK can generally apply for the Child Student visa up to six months before the course begins. Current UK government guidance states that applications made from outside the UK are usually decided within three weeks, although families should allow additional time for preparation and any issues that may arise.

The CAS should therefore be treated as one stage of a wider relocation and visa timetable rather than the entire process.

Check the CAS details carefully

Once a school provides a CAS reference, families should check that the information corresponds with the child's actual arrangements.

Important details can include:

• Child's personal information

• School and sponsor information

• Course or programme details

• Course start date

• Course duration

• Fees

• Boarding arrangements where applicable

• Other information relevant to the visa application

If something appears incorrect or circumstances change, the family should contact the school promptly. The school is responsible for its sponsorship and CAS records.

Boarding arrangements and CAS preparation

For overseas children attending UK boarding schools, accommodation planning is particularly important.

A Child Student visa application requires suitable living arrangements. Full-time or part-time boarding at the school may satisfy the accommodation aspect where the arrangement meets the relevant requirements.

Families should also understand what happens outside normal boarding periods, including school holidays and exeats. The child's arrangements need to be properly organised rather than left until after the visa has been granted.

For families purchasing or renting UK property, location can also become an important consideration. Proximity to the child's school, transport connections, airport access and access to essential services can all influence the choice of property.

Financial preparation for a Child Student visa

Visa applicants need to demonstrate that appropriate funds are available for the child's circumstances.

For children boarding at an independent school, the financial requirement can involve having sufficient funds for outstanding course and boarding fees for the relevant academic period.

The school fees shown on the CAS should therefore be checked against the family's financial planning before the visa application is submitted.

Families should avoid treating school fees as the only relocation cost. Depending on circumstances, there may also be costs for accommodation, transportation, guardianship arrangements, insurance, flights and everyday expenses.

Do parents need a UK property?

Not necessarily.

A child attending a UK private or boarding school does not automatically require their parents to purchase a UK property. Boarding arrangements, guardianship arrangements and the family's wider circumstances can determine what accommodation is appropriate.

However, some international families prefer to establish a UK property base for holidays, family visits, school events or longer-term relocation.

In those situations, choosing the right property can require consideration of location, commuting distance, property condition, rental or purchase costs, maintenance requirements and future use.

How Fraser Bond can support the property side

Fraser Bond does not issue CAS letters or act as a private school's immigration sponsor. The CAS must come from the relevant licensed school, and immigration requirements should be confirmed with the school and official UK government guidance.

Where a family needs practical property support alongside a child's UK education plans, Fraser Bond can assist with the property and relocation side of the process.

Depending on the family's requirements, this can include:

• Finding suitable UK accommodation

• Supporting property purchases

• Arranging lettings

• Property management

• Coordinating maintenance and repairs

• Supporting refurbishment projects

• Managing contractor requirements

• Helping overseas property owners manage UK homes remotely

This can be particularly useful for families who live overseas but want a reliable UK property arrangement while their child attends a private or boarding school.

Plan the CAS and relocation process together

CAS preparation should not be treated as an isolated administrative task. For overseas families, school admission, visa preparation, accommodation and relocation often need to move forward together.

Start by confirming the school's sponsorship status and admissions requirements. Once the place is secured, keep the CAS information, financial evidence and living arrangements organised. At the same time, consider whether the family requires a UK property and begin making practical arrangements early.

A well-organised approach can reduce last-minute pressure and make the transition to a UK private school considerably smoother.

Fraser Bond's role

Fraser Bond focuses on property and relocation support rather than school admissions, CAS issuance or immigration advice. Families should obtain immigration guidance and CAS information directly from the relevant school and official UK authorities.

For families who need professional assistance with the property side of relocating to Britain, Fraser Bond can provide practical support with property search, acquisition, lettings, management, refurbishment and ongoing maintenance.