---
title: "Expenses: Create pre-approval requests"
slug: "create-pre-approval-requests"
updated: 2026-08-17T13:40:00Z
published: 2026-08-17T13:40:00Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/create-pre-approval-requests"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Expenses: Create pre-approval requests

Pre-approved expenses are expenses that are approved before any funds are spent. These are often used for expenses such as travel.

### To create a pre-approval request:

1. In the side menu, select **Expenses**.
2. Click the **Pre-Approval** tab.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/image(241).png)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/image-XHH780S7.png)

1. Click **+ Pre Approval**.
2. Add the **Name**, **Travel from** and **to** dates, and **Description**.
3. Select a suitable **Category** of expense, e.g. hotel, and complete the Expense description, quantity and rate etc.
  1. The fields will vary, depending on the category.
4. To add additional lines press **+ Expense** and fill in the boxes.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/image(244).png)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/image-OQPTE9AY.png)

1. You can add attachments using the **Add Attachment** button to support your pre-approval request.
2. When complete, click **Save a draft** or **Submit your pre-approval request**. A saved request will appear in your **Expenses > Pre-Approval** tab flagged as a draft.

### Editing / updating a pre-approval request

- You can make changes to any draft claim by selecting it and clicking **Edit**.
- For each pre-approval, you can submit, delete, or add notes (web only). To do this, tick the claim’s check box, then click the **Submit** / **Delete** / **Notes** buttons on the right.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/image(524).png)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/image-5OW56L6E.png)

- The flag on the left of the pre-approval will show its current status, e.g. draft, approved, or submitted.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/image(246).png)