UK Student Documents Checklist: Passport, CAS, Visa and Accommodation
A simple filing system for documents that may be needed for travel, university registration, accommodation, banking and family backup.
Short answer
Organise documents into identity and immigration, university, accommodation and travel, and payment and health folders, then keep copies offline, in the cloud and with a trusted contact.
Who this is for
For students preparing for travel, enrolment, move-in or opening a bank account.
- Students travelling independently for the first time
- Students organising CAS and immigration records
- Parents holding a backup set
What to prepare
- Passport and immigration confirmation
- CAS, offer and university emails
- Accommodation agreement or confirmation
- Tuition, accommodation and deposit receipts
- Health and medication documents
Steps
- Create four folders: identity and immigration, university, accommodation and travel, and payment and health.
- Use searchable filenames with the purpose and date.
- Keep clear copies offline on your phone, in cloud storage and with a trusted contact.
- Place documents likely to be needed on arrival in hand luggage.
- Save a separate offline note with the UK address, postcode, accommodation phone number and university emergency contact.
Common pitfalls
- Using camera filenames that are impossible to search.
- Keeping blurred or incomplete photos.
- Storing every copy on one phone.
- Leaving family unable to locate the backup.
Official links
Check these sources before making decisions, especially for visa, healthcare, border, deposit and safety topics.
Final checklist
- Documents grouped clearly
- Filenames and dates understandable
- At least three backup locations used
- Arrival documents in hand luggage
- Address and emergency contacts available offline