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After receiving an offer: deposit, visa document and visa file
An offer is not the finish line. Read the conditions, pay safely and build a visa file that answers every question before it is asked.
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Figures are checked against the sources listed at the bottom of the page.
Talk to a counsellorWhat kind of offer do you hold?
| Offer | Meaning | What you need next |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional offer | Accepted if you meet set conditions, such as final grades or an English score | Meet the conditions and send proof by the deadline |
| Unconditional offer | Academic and English conditions are met | Pay any deposit and request the visa document |
| Offer with scholarship | Fee reduction tied to conditions like full-time study or grades | Read renewal conditions in writing |
| Destination | Visa document issued after acceptance |
|---|---|
| UK | Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) |
| Australia | Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) |
| Canada | Letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, plus any provincial attestation letter |
| USA | Form I-20, then the SEVIS I-901 fee |
| Ireland | Letter of acceptance on an eligible programme |
| Dubai and UAE | University offer, then student entry permit filed by the university |
| Italy | Universitaly pre-enrolment and admission letter |
| France | Campus France acceptance (Études en France) and university admission |
| South Korea | Certificate of admission issued by the university for the D-2 visa |
| Cyprus | Acceptance letter and entry pre-approval filed by the university |
| Lithuania | Acceptance letter and invitation from the university |
| New Zealand | Offer of place, then the visa application |
| Malaysia | eVAL issued through EMGS after the university applies |
Pay deposits safely
- Read the refund policy before you pay, especially if your visa is refused.
- Pay only to the university account in the official offer documents. Phone the admissions office to confirm the bank details if anything looks different.
- Keep every receipt. See money transfer for the State Bank rules and the US$70,000 yearly limit per student.
- Do not pay an agent in cash for tuition.
Build the visa file
Each country asks for slightly different items, but officers check the same story: who you are, why this course, how you will pay and what you will do after.
- Passport, valid and with the same name everywhere
- Offer and visa document (CAS, CoE, I-20, acceptance letter)
- Proof of funds that meets the country’s rules, with a clear source of funds
- English test result or university-assessed English
- Academic documents matching your application
- Answers to the country’s genuine-student or intent questions, written in your own words
- Health cover where required
- Medical or TB test where required. The UK requires a TB test for applicants from Pakistan for courses longer than six months
- Biometrics and photo at the visa application centre
- Interview preparation for the US F-1, and any credibility interview
Common reasons for refusal
- Funds not held long enough, not in an accepted account, or with no clear source
- Generic or inconsistent answers about why this course and country
- Gaps in study or work history that were not explained
- English requirement not met or test not approved for the visa
- Incomplete, unsigned or low-quality documents
- Doubts about return plans or ties to Pakistan
If you are refused, read the refusal reasons carefully before you reapply. A quick second application with the same file usually fails again.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I take to accept an offer?
Offers have deadlines, often two to four weeks. Use a few days to compare fees, scholarships and conditions in writing, then decide.
Is the deposit refundable if my visa is refused?
Policies differ. Some universities refund most of the deposit on a visa refusal if you provide the decision letter. Read the terms before you pay.
What is a CAS and when do I get it?
The CAS is the reference number for UK visa applications. Universities issue it after you accept and meet all conditions and, often, pay a deposit.
Do I need a TB test for the UK?
Applicants from Pakistan who plan to stay in the UK for more than six months need a tuberculosis test from an approved clinic before applying for the visa.
Can I change my course after the visa?
Changing course or university often needs a new visa document or visa application. Ask the international office before you change.
Sources and how we verify
Checked on 30 September 2026. This page is general information, not legal, immigration, medical or financial advice. Rules, fees and deadlines change, so confirm with the official body before you pay or apply.
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