CAS & Visa Deadline Calculator – Plan Your UK Student Visa Timeline

Use this free CAS & Visa Deadline Calculator to map out your UK student visa application timeline. Enter your course start date, university, and study location to instantly generate a personalised schedule of deadlines — including your CAS request, deposit payment, earliest visa application date, and financial requirements. No sign-up required, and nothing you enter is saved.

How to Use This Visa Deadline Calculator

The calculator generates a dynamic timeline based on your specific circumstances. Here is what each field does:

1. Course Start Date: The official start date of your programme. This is the anchor for your entire timeline — all other deadlines are calculated backward from this date.
2. University: Select your institution. Different universities have different internal deadlines for CAS requests and deposit payments, and the calculator uses the specific dates for the university you choose.
3. Study Location: Choose “Outside London” or “Inside London.” This determines your monthly maintenance rate requirement (London rates are significantly higher).
4. Nationality (optional): Enter your nationality if you want to check for country-specific earlier deadlines. Some universities have earlier visa deadlines for certain nationalities due to higher application volumes or enhanced security checks.
5. Visa Processing Speed: Select your intended processing speed (Standard, Priority, or Super Priority). This calculates your latest recommended application date to ensure your visa is ready before your course starts.
6. Accommodation Checkbox: Tick this if you have already paid for university accommodation. You may be able to deduct up to one month’s maintenance from your required funds, lowering the amount you need to show in your bank account.
7. Available Funds & Funds Held Since: Enter your available funds and the date you first reached the required amount. The calculator checks whether you have met the 28-day funds holding rule — a critical requirement that catches many applicants off guard.

Click Calculate My Timeline, and the tool instantly generates your personalised deadlines, financial breakdown, and a document checklist.

Understanding Your Results: Timeline, Risk Score, and Deadlines

The output is designed to give you a clear, prioritised view of what needs to happen and when. Here is how to read the key sections.

The Risk Score (0–100)

At the top of your results, you will see a status badge: “On Track” (green), “At Risk” (amber), or “Urgent” (red), alongside a numerical risk score. The risk score is calculated based on how tight your timeline is. If you have already passed a critical deadline — such as the earliest visa application date or the funds holding period — your risk score will increase. A score of 0/100 means you are fully on track. A high score indicates you need to take immediate action or may need to defer your intake.

Your Timeline (Key Milestones)

The timeline lists every critical milestone in your visa journey. Here is what each one means:

• CAS Request Deadline: The last date to request your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from your university. Missing this can delay your entire application.
• Deposit Payment Deadline: The last date to pay your tuition deposit to secure your place. Your university will not issue your CAS until this is paid. Deposits typically range from £2,000 to £5,000 depending on the institution.
• Pre-CAS Interview Deadline: Some universities require a short interview before issuing the CAS. This is the last date to complete it.
• CAS Issuance Deadline: The latest date your university will issue your CAS. This is typically several weeks before your course starts.
• Earliest Visa Application Date: You can apply for your visa up to 6 months before your course starts if applying from outside the UK. If this date has already passed, the tool marks it as “PASSED” — this is expected if you are applying later in the cycle, not a cause for panic.
• Latest Recommended Visa Application: The date by which you should submit your visa application to allow enough time for processing before your course starts. Applying after this date risks not receiving your visa in time.

Decoding Your Financial Requirements

The financial requirements section is the most critical part of the calculator. Getting this wrong is one of the most common reasons for visa refusal. Here is what each figure means:

The 28-Day Rule Explained: UKVI requires that the required maintenance funds have been held in your bank account (or your parent’s/guardian’s account) for a continuous 28-day period. The end of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you submit your visa application. If your funds dropped below the required amount at any point during those 28 days, the requirement is not met. Always check the official UKVI financial evidence guidance for the most up-to-date rules.

Accommodation Deduction: If you have already paid for university accommodation, you may be able to deduct up to one month’s maintenance from your required funds. The calculator automatically applies this deduction when you tick the accommodation checkbox.

Your UK Student Visa Document Checklist

The calculator generates a personalised document checklist based on your inputs. Here is what each item is and why it matters:

• Valid Passport: Must be valid for the duration of your course. Ensure it has blank pages for the visa vignette.
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS): Your university issues this unique reference number after you have met all conditions and paid your deposit. It is the most important document in your application. The CAS is an electronic document, not a physical certificate.
• Financial Evidence (Bank Statements): Must clearly show the required funds held for 28 consecutive days. Statements must be original or certified electronic copies.
• Academic Qualifications: Your degree certificates, transcripts, and any other qualifications listed on your CAS.
• English Language Test Results: Your IELTS, TOEFL, or other approved English test scores (unless you are exempt or the university has confirmed your MOI).
• ATAS Certificate (if required): Required for certain sensitive subjects at postgraduate level. Your university will tell you if you need one.
• Tuberculosis Test Results (if required): Required for applicants from certain countries. Check the UKVI list of countries requiring a TB test to see if this applies to you.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Payment: A mandatory fee paid as part of your visa application. It covers your access to the NHS during your stay. The current rate for students is £776 per year of the visa granted.
• Visa Application Fee Payment: The standard visa application fee is £558 for applications submitted from outside or inside the UK.
• Biometrics Appointment: You must attend a visa application centre to provide your fingerprints and photograph.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Tool