Short answer
A CAS, I-20, CoE and PAL are all enrollment confirmation documents. Each one is issued by your university or institution, confirms your place on a specific course, and must be in hand before you apply for the student visa or study permit. They are not visas and they do not guarantee a visa, but without one the visa application cannot proceed. The document that matters is the one for the country you are going to.
Why four different countries need four different documents
Each country manages international student enrollment through its own government system. The enrollment document is how the university registers its commitment to sponsor or accept a specific student, and how the immigration system verifies that the student has a genuine, confirmed place before the visa is approved.
In each case, the document links three things: the student, the institution, and the specific course. If any of the three changes, a new document is usually needed. The format and the name are different in each country, but the purpose is the same.
The UK Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
A CAS is a 14-character alphanumeric reference number assigned to a specific student by a university or college that holds a Student sponsor licence from the Home Office. The number is generated through the Sponsor Management System. UKVI reads the CAS details directly from that system when it assesses a Student visa application.
What it contains
A CAS record includes your full name as the sponsor has it, your date of birth, the course title, the course start and end dates, the institution’s address, your unconditional offer reference, any conditions attached, and any scholarship or funding the institution is providing. The institution also confirms whether English language evidence is on record and whether your qualifications have been assessed.
When it is issued
A CAS can be assigned up to six months before the course start date. You must use it within six months of the date it was assigned to you. You cannot apply for a UK Student visa without a valid CAS. Universities may have their own internal deadlines for when they will assign a CAS, often after you have met all conditions and paid a deposit, so check the timeline with your admissions office.
What it cannot do
A CAS can only be used for one Student visa application. If that application is granted or refused, the CAS is spent. If you are refused and want to reapply, the university must assign a new CAS. The only exceptions are if the application was rejected as invalid, withdrawn before a decision, or declared void.
Single-name passports and the CAS
If your passport has only one name, the university enters it in the family name field on the CAS and leaves the given name field blank. This is the correct convention, and UKVI is designed to handle it. If the university enters something else, such as "FNU" or a repeated name, ask them to correct it before you apply.
The US Form I-20
A Form I-20 is a paper document, titled "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status", issued by an institution that is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Every school that enrols international students on F-1 or M-1 visas must be SEVP-certified. The SEVIS number on the I-20 is what the US consulate checks.
What it contains
The I-20 shows your name as the institution has it, your SEVIS identification number, the institution’s name and SEVIS school code, your programme of study, the start and end dates, the full estimated cost of attendance for the first year (tuition, fees, housing, books and personal expenses), and the financial resources you have declared to the institution to cover those costs.
Dependants need separate I-20s
Unlike the CAS, which is a single reference for the student, every F-2 dependant (spouse and minor children) who travels with the student needs a separate I-20 issued for them by the institution. The institution issues dependant I-20s once the student’s enrollment is confirmed.
Entry timing
You may not enter the US more than 30 days before the programme start date shown on your I-20. This is a hard rule. Arriving on day 31 before the start date means being turned away at the port of entry. Book flights to arrive within that 30-day window.
The Australian Confirmation of Enrolment
A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is an electronic document generated through the Provider Registration and International Students Management System (PRISMS), Australia’s national register of international students. Every CRICOS-registered course has a CoE. If the course you are enrolled in is not on the CRICOS register, it is not a valid basis for a student visa.
What it confirms
The CoE records the student’s name, the institution’s CRICOS provider code, the course’s CRICOS course code, the course start and end dates, the tuition and other fees, and the OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) details. OSHC is compulsory for the full length of the student visa and must be in place from the day of arrival.
Packaged courses and the two-month gap rule
Many students combine an English language course with a university degree in a package. Each course in the package needs its own CoE. The gap between courses must be less than two calendar months. A three-month or four-month gap, such as a long summer break between courses, still counts as a valid package for visa purposes under CRICOS rules, provided both courses are from the same provider or are part of the same packaged arrangement.
What the student visa actually costs
As of 11 November 2026, the base application charge for an Australian Subclass 500 student visa is AUD 2,500. This is the government fee to process the visa application, payable through ImmiAccount. It does not include OSHC, tuition, the first year’s living costs, or any agent fee. The charge has increased significantly in recent years; students quoting older figures may be using numbers that are out of date.
The Canadian Provincial Attestation Letter
A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is a letter issued by a Canadian province or territory confirming that a specific student has been allocated a spot within that province’s or territory’s international student cap. IRCC introduced the PAL requirement in 2024 to manage international student numbers at the provincial level.
Who needs a PAL
Most post-secondary applicants applying for a study permit for a college or university programme need a PAL from the province where their institution is located. Some important exemptions apply.
As of 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at publicly funded colleges and universities are exempt from the PAL requirement. Other exemptions include preschool and kindergarten through Grade 12 students, exchange students who pay no tuition, Global Affairs Canada scholars, students at Canadian military colleges, and students in the Francophone Minority Communities pilot.
Who issues the PAL
Each province operates its own PAL system. Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and the other provinces each have their own process and timelines for issuing PALs. The institution you have been accepted to handles the PAL request on your behalf in most provinces. The PAL is free to the student.
Quebec is different
Quebec does not issue a PAL. It issues a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ), which must be obtained before applying for the study permit. The CAQ is applied for separately, through the Quebec government’s immigration portal, and has its own fee and processing time. IRCC requires both the CAQ and the study permit.
What you pay before applying for the visa
Each country has fees separate from the enrollment document. These are government charges paid as part of or before the visa application, not university fees.
| Country | Main fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Student visa fee | £558 | Applies outside the UK; IHS additional at £776/year |
| UK | Immigration Health Surcharge | £776 per year | Paid with the visa application, for the full course length |
| USA | I-901 SEVIS fee | USD 350 | F and M applicants; paid at fmjfee.com before the DS-160 |
| USA | Visa appointment (MRV) fee | USD 185 | F, M and J visa applicants |
| Australia | Base application charge | AUD 2,500 | Paid in ImmiAccount; does not include OSHC |
| Canada | Study permit fee | CAD 150 | Biometrics additional at CAD 85 for most applicants |
Proof of funds for the UK
As of 11 November 2026, UK Student visa guidance requires you to show that you have held the required funds continuously for 28 days ending no earlier than 31 days before you apply. For courses in London, the required amount is £1,529 per month of your course, up to nine months. For courses outside London, it is £1,171 per month. The 28-day rule is strict: the funds must be in an account in your name or a parent’s name, and must not have dipped below the required level during the 28-day period.
Proof of funds for Canada
From 1 September 2026, IRCC requires CAD 23,448 as proof of funds for a study permit applicant outside Quebec, in addition to the first year’s tuition and return travel costs. This figure is for the applicant alone and excludes dependants. Quebec has its own proof-of-funds requirement.
What to check when your document arrives
When you receive your enrollment document, compare it line by line against your passport and your offer letter before you do anything else.
- Name. Does it match your passport exactly, including the spelling, the order of names, and any middle name or initial?
- Date of birth. Does it match the passport?
- Course title. Is it the course you accepted? A wrong level (diploma instead of degree) or wrong subject can affect your visa category.
- Start date. Is it the intake you confirmed?
- Institution name. For the CAS and CoE, the institution must be the licensed or CRICOS-registered institution. A trading name is different from the registered name.
- Fees and costs. On the I-20, the estimated cost of attendance must be realistic and consistent with what you told the financial aid office. A drastically understated figure can raise questions at the consulate.
Any discrepancy should be raised with the university before you pay any government fee. Paying the I-901 SEVIS fee or the Australian application charge on the basis of a document that then needs to be reissued creates complications and wastes money.
If your document is late
A delayed enrollment document can push back your visa application, which can push back your arrival date, which can in some countries push back your eligibility for certain work rights or for a post-study work visa. Start the enrollment document process as early as the university allows, and ask in writing when you can expect the document.
If the university asks you to defer and you have already paid a visa application fee, check the refund policy of the destination country’s visa system. The UK Student visa fee is not refunded if the visa is granted and you then do not use it. The Australian base application charge is also non-refundable once paid.
Accept the offer and ask about the enrollment document
Once you have a firm, unconditional offer, accept it formally through the university's system and ask the international admissions office when the enrollment document will be issued and what they need from you first. Some universities require a deposit or a visa self-assessment before they will issue the document. Know what comes before it.
Check every detail on the document against your passport
When the document arrives, compare your full name, date of birth, passport number (if on the document), course title, course start date, and institution name against your passport and your offer letter. A mistake on the enrollment document can delay or complicate your visa application. Report any discrepancy to the university immediately, before you pay any government fee.
Pay the government fees in the right order
Each country has fees that must be paid before you can apply for the visa. For the US, the I-901 SEVIS fee ($350) is paid first at fmjfee.com, before you book the visa appointment or fill the DS-160. For Australia, the base application charge (AUD 2,500 as of November 2026) is paid as part of the ImmiAccount application. For the UK and Canada, the fees are paid as part of the visa or study permit application online.
Apply for the visa with the document and your supporting file
The enrollment document is the anchor of your visa application. Build the supporting file around it: proof of funds, accommodation, language test, and any financial guarantee. The document itself proves you have a confirmed place. Your file proves you can support yourself and that you intend to study, not to settle.
Keep your enrollment active until you have the visa
Universities can withdraw an enrollment document if you do not pay a deposit by a deadline, if you fail to respond to a deferral request, or if you request a withdrawal. Keep your place confirmed in writing. If you receive a visa refusal and need to defer, contact the university before the enrollment document expires.
Know your entry date rules before you book flights
Each country controls when you can enter before your course starts. The US allows entry up to 30 days before the programme start date on the I-20. Australia ties the student visa start date to the course. Canada does not set a strict entry window, but arriving too early or staying in Canada without studying can affect your study permit. Check the official guidance before booking non-refundable flights.
What goes wrong most often
- Paying the I-901 SEVIS fee before checking the I-20. If the I-20 has an error and needs to be reissued, the new SEVIS number on the corrected I-20 must match the payment receipt. Pay only after verifying the I-20.
- Applying for the Australian visa before confirming OSHC. OSHC must cover the full visa period. Some providers let you buy it through the university; others let you buy it independently. Know the arrangement before you submit the ImmiAccount application.
- Assuming a PAL is not needed. The Master’s and doctoral exemption from 1 January 2026 is limited to publicly funded institutions. Private colleges, vocational schools and shorter programmes are unlikely to be exempt. Check the current IRCC guidance for your specific programme level and institution type before assuming no PAL is needed.
- Waiting for the CAS to book the English test. You need the English test before the university will issue a CAS. The sequence is: meet the offer conditions (which include the test), receive the CAS, then apply for the visa. If you wait for the CAS before sitting the test, you have the sequence backwards.
- Booking flights for more than 30 days before the US I-20 start date. This is a hard entry restriction. Even with a valid F-1 visa, US Customs and Border Protection will refuse entry if you arrive more than 30 days before the programme start date.
- Not checking whether the Australian visa fee has changed. The base application charge for a Subclass 500 student visa has increased multiple times. Verify the current fee at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before budgeting.
A realistic example
Shahzaib receives an unconditional offer for a one-year master’s in data analytics at a UK university. His offer letter gives a course start date of 22 September. He pays the deposit and completes the university’s online self-enrolment. The university assigns his CAS on 3 July, eight weeks before the course start, and sends him the 14-character reference.
He checks the CAS: his name matches the passport, the start date is correct, and the tuition figure matches the invoice. He logs into the UKVI application portal, enters the CAS reference, and fills the visa application. He pays £558 for the visa and £776 for the IHS (one year). His bank statement shows £13,761 (nine months at £1,529, the London rate) held for 28 consecutive days.
He receives the visa two weeks later. The CAS is now spent and cannot be reused. He travels to the UK, enrols formally, and begins his course on 22 September.
Key takeaways
- A CAS (UK), I-20 (US), CoE (Australia) and PAL (Canada) are all enrollment confirmation documents. You need the right one for the right country, and you cannot apply for the student visa or study permit without it.
- A CAS can only be used once. If the first Student visa application is granted or refused, the CAS is spent. A refused applicant who reapplies needs the university to assign a new CAS.
- As of 11 November 2026, the base application charge for an Australian Subclass 500 student visa is AUD 2,500. This figure has increased significantly and older sources may quote a much lower number.
- The US I-901 SEVIS fee ($350 for F and M applicants) must be paid at fmjfee.com before filling the DS-160 or booking the visa appointment. It is non-refundable.
- From 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at publicly funded Canadian institutions are exempt from the PAL requirement. All other post-secondary applicants should check whether a PAL is needed.
- Check every detail on the enrollment document against your passport before paying any government fee. A name mismatch or wrong start date on the document can cause a visa refusal that the document, once corrected, would have avoided.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a CAS and a university offer letter?
An offer letter confirms the university wants to give you a place, subject to conditions. A CAS is issued only after you have met those conditions and the university has decided to sponsor you for a Student visa. It is a 14-character reference number that UKVI reads directly from the Sponsor Management System. You cannot apply for a UK Student visa without a CAS. An offer letter alone is not enough.
How early can a UK university issue a CAS?
As of 11 November 2026, UKVI guidance says a CAS can be assigned up to six months before the course start date. Universities may have their own internal timelines, so ask well in advance. You must use the CAS within six months of it being assigned to you, and you must apply for the visa before the CAS expires.
Can a CAS be reused if the first visa application is refused?
No. UKVI guidance says that once a Student visa has been granted or refused on the basis of a CAS, that CAS is used. It cannot be assigned to another application. The only exception is if the application was rejected as invalid, withdrawn before a decision, or declared void. If your visa is refused and you reapply, the university must assign a new CAS.
What is the I-901 SEVIS fee and when do you pay it?
The I-901 is the fee charged by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to maintain your record in the SEVIS database. As of 11 November 2026, it is $350 for F and M visa applicants. It is paid at fmjfee.com before you fill the DS-160 or book your visa appointment. Payment is non-refundable. Keep the payment receipt, because the consulate checks it and some require you to bring it to the interview.
Can you apply for an Australian student visa without a CoE?
No, with one narrow exception. You need a Confirmation of Enrolment for each course in your package before applying for a Subclass 500 student visa. The only exception is for students on certain government scholarships such as a DFAT or Defence scholarship, who receive a letter of support instead. For every other applicant, the CoE must be in hand before the visa application.
Who does not need a PAL to study in Canada?
As of 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral students at publicly funded colleges and universities are exempt from the PAL requirement. Other exemptions include preschool and kindergarten through to Grade 12 students, exchange students who pay no tuition to a Canadian institution, Global Affairs Canada scholars, students at Canadian military colleges, and students in the Francophone Minority Communities pilot. Outside these categories, most college and university applicants need a PAL.
What is the difference between a PAL and a CAQ in Quebec?
A PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter) is issued by all provinces and territories outside Quebec for most post-secondary students. A CAQ (Certificat d'acceptation du Québec) is issued by the Quebec government and is required instead of a PAL for students who will study in Quebec at any level above preschool or kindergarten. The CAQ application process is separate from the PAL, is managed by the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration, and has its own fee.
If my Australian course starts in February, how early can I enter Australia?
The student visa is granted with a "no earlier than" arrival date, usually tied to the course start date. As a general guide, you can apply for the student visa as soon as you have the CoE, which can be months before the course starts. The visa itself typically allows entry a short time before the course, often a week or two, but the exact date appears on the visa grant notice. Check the grant notice before booking flights.
The name on my CAS does not match my passport. What do I do?
Contact the university immediately. The name on the CAS comes from what you entered at application and should match your passport exactly. UKVI compares the CAS name to the passport. If they do not match, the visa application is likely to be refused or rejected as invalid. The university can withdraw the CAS and assign a new one with the correct name, so raise it as soon as you see the error.
My PAL has the wrong course start date. Can I still use it?
The PAL contains the institution name, the level of study, and certain dates. If any of these are wrong, do not use it. Contact the provincial or territorial authority that issued it and explain the error. Using a PAL with incorrect information could result in a study permit being refused. If you have changed courses since the PAL was issued, check whether a new PAL is needed.
If I change universities in Australia, do I need a new CoE?
Yes. A CoE is issued by and is specific to the institution that enrolled you. If you transfer to a different institution, the new institution issues a new CoE. CRICOS registration and the student visa conditions apply to your current institution. Transferring without a new CoE, or studying at an institution that did not issue your CoE, risks a visa breach. Tell your current institution and the new institution before you transfer, and do not transfer before completing any mandatory period of study at the first institution.
Can Ch. Bilal Rasheed help me get a CAS or any of these documents?
The enrollment document is issued by the university, not by an immigration advisor. What he can help with is understanding which document you need, what the university requires before issuing it, and how the document fits into the visa application file. He works with applicants in Lahore and over WhatsApp. Getting the document itself depends on the university.
