Visa terms, explained plainly
The acronyms and rules on a visa checklist decide whether your file passes — CAS, the 28-day rule, GIC, the Genuine Student requirement, DS-160, section 214(b), Sperrkonto and more. Here is what each one means, in plain English.
Last reviewed: 1 July 2026
General visa terms
Readiness score
A single percentage VisaCheck gives your application, derived from how many required items pass, warn or fail against the published rules for your route. It measures how complete and consistent your file is before you submit — it is not a prediction of the officer's decision.
Genuine intent (bona fide applicant)
Evidence that you will use the visa for its stated purpose and leave at the end of your authorised stay. Most visitor and student refusals turn on this, shown through ties to home, a credible plan and consistent documents.
Ties to home country
The commitments that give you a reason to return home — employment, study, family, property or business. Strong, evidenced ties are the main way to satisfy a decision-maker that you will not overstay.
Maintenance funds (proof of funds)
Money you must show you hold to cover tuition, living costs and travel for your route. Countries differ on the amount, how long it must be held and how it must be sourced; unexplained large deposits are a common weakness.
Cross-document consistency
Whether the same fact — your name, dates, balances or employer — matches across every document in your application. Inconsistencies are a frequent, avoidable refusal ground, so VisaCheck compares fields across your whole file.
Certified translation
An official translation of a non-English document by an approved translator, often required for civil and financial documents. A missing or uncertified translation can cause a document to be disregarded.
Biometrics
Fingerprints and a photograph collected at a visa application centre (such as VFS Global) as part of most applications. Not providing biometrics when required stops the application progressing.
Refusal vs rejection
A refusal is a decision that your application did not meet the rules; a rejection usually means it was returned as incomplete or improperly lodged (for example an unpaid fee). VisaCheck's refusal analyser addresses refusals — a decision against a rule.
United Kingdom visa terms
CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
A unique reference a licensed UK student sponsor issues once they have offered you a place. Your Student visa application must quote a valid CAS whose details match your evidence.
CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship)
The reference a licensed employer issues for UK work routes such as the Skilled Worker visa. It must be valid and consistent with your role and salary.
28-day rule
For many sponsored UK routes your maintenance funds must sit in an eligible account for 28 consecutive days, with the closing balance dated no more than 31 days before you apply. Moving money in just before applying breaks it.
TB test certificate
A tuberculosis screening certificate from a UK-approved clinic, required if you live in a listed country and are applying for more than six months. It must be included when you apply.
IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge)
A charge most UK visa applicants pay to use the NHS during their stay, paid as part of the application. The amount depends on your route and length of stay — confirm the current figure on GOV.UK.
Canada visa terms
GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate)
A Canadian investment product Student Direct Stream applicants buy at a set amount to evidence first-year living funds; it is released to you in instalments after you arrive.
SDS (Student Direct Stream)
A faster study-permit processing stream for eligible applicants that requires specific up-front items — a GIC, first-year tuition paid and a language test — in exchange for quicker decisions.
PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter)
A letter from a Canadian province confirming your study-permit application counts within its allocation. Most study-permit applications now require one.
Dual intent
The Canadian concept that you may intend to study or work temporarily while also hoping to immigrate later — provided you satisfy the officer you will leave if your temporary status ends.
Australia visa terms
Genuine Student (GS) requirement
The test, introduced in 2024 to replace the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement, that your primary purpose in Australia is study — shown through your circumstances, study plan and ties.
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)
Private health insurance a subclass 500 student must hold for the full duration of the course. A policy that does not cover the whole enrolment is a common problem.
CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment)
The document confirming your enrolment at an Australian institution, required to lodge a student visa; its details must match the rest of your application.
Subclass 500 / 600
Australian visa subclasses: 500 is the student visa and 600 the visitor visa. Each has its own genuine-purpose and evidence requirements.
New Zealand visa terms
AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa)
New Zealand's main employer-sponsored work visa, requiring a job offer from an accredited employer that passes a job check before you can apply.
United States visa terms
DS-160
The online nonimmigrant visa application form. Its details must match your supporting documents and your interview answers — inconsistencies are a frequent problem.
I-20
The form a SEVP-approved US school issues to an admitted F-1 student, used to pay the SEVIS fee and apply for the visa; its details must align with your DS-160.
SEVIS
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System that tracks F, M and J students. You pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before your F-1 interview and carry the receipt.
Section 214(b)
The provision of US immigration law that presumes visa applicants intend to immigrate until they prove otherwise. Most B1/B2 and F-1 refusals cite it; you overcome it with strong ties and a clear temporary purpose.
Nonimmigrant intent
Evidence that you intend to enter the US temporarily and return home — the core of overcoming section 214(b).
Europe (Schengen) visa terms
Schengen visa (Type C)
A short-stay visa allowing up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, for tourism, family visits or short business.
National visa (Type D)
A long-stay visa for study, work or residence in a specific Schengen country for more than 90 days, governed by that country's national rules.
Travel medical insurance (Schengen)
Cover a Schengen visa requires — at least €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip. Insufficient cover or dates is a frequent refusal ground.
Sperrkonto (blocked account)
A German blocked account holding the required annual living-cost amount, released to you monthly. It is standard evidence for a German national student visa.
Campus France
The 'Études en France' procedure most long-stay French student applicants must complete before applying, linking your enrolment to your visa.
MVV
Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf: the Dutch long-stay entry visa most non-EU nationals need before collecting a residence permit.
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