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Child Student Visa

The Child Student Visa is for foreign children aged 4 to 17 with an unconditional offer from an independent UK school and is required for those without British citizenship or settled/pre-settled status.

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How to Apply for a Child Student Visa

At A Glance

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  • The UK Child Student Visa is available for children aged 4 to 17 who have been unconditionally offered to study at an independent school in the UK. It requires proof of financial support and parental consent.
  • Visa holders under 16 can stay for up to six years plus four months, while those aged 16 or 17 can stay for up to three years plus four months.
  • Parents of children aged 4-11 may apply for a Parent of a Child Student Visa to stay with their child but are not permitted to work or study in the UK.
  • Financial proof, including course fees and living costs, is required, and applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds for at least 28 consecutive days before applying.

Table of Contents

Start your Visa application process

What is the UK Child Student Visa?

The Child Student Visa is for foreign children aged 4 to 17 with an unconditional offer to study at an independent school in the UK. It is required for overseas pupils who do not hold a British passport or do not have settled or pre-settled status in the UK.

This visa replaced the Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa in 2020 and is designed to accommodate young international students, allowing them to live and study in the UK for the duration of their course.

The Child Student Visa is course-based, meaning a separate application is needed for each course. For students under 16, the visa allows them to stay for the course (up to six years) plus an additional four months. For students aged 16 or 17, the visa is valid for the course length (up to three years) plus four extra months. As a result, one application will be needed for the GCSE course, and a separate application will be required for the A Level course.

If you are 18 or older and wish to study a further or higher education course in the UK, you should apply for a Student Visa instead.

Visa Pathway

The Child Student route does not lead to settlement. However, Child Student Visa holders can switch to a Student Visa, which is intended for individuals aged 16 or older who wish to pursue further or higher education courses in the UK.

Dependents

Child Student Visa holders cannot bring dependents except for parents under the Parent of a Child Student Visa. To be eligible for a Parent of a Child Student Visa, the parent must be the only parent accompanying the child in the UK. The child’s other parent must live abroad and cannot apply to join them in the UK.

The child must be between 4 and 11 years old and attend an independent school in the UK. The parent must also maintain their main home in their country of residence and have definite plans to leave the UK when the visa expires or when the child turns 12, whichever happens first.

While in the UK, the parent is not allowed to work, study, start a business, apply for benefits, or make the UK their primary home.

The parent joining the child can bring other children if they also hold or are applying for a Child Student Visa. However, the parent cannot bring other family members. Other family members may be able to visit the UK on a short-term visit visa.

Switching to a Child Student Visa

You may be able to switch to a Child Student visa if you are between 4 and 17 years old and already in the UK. However, you cannot switch if you have a visitor visa or short-term student visa or if you live outside the immigration rules.

To be eligible for switching, you must have an unconditional offer from a licensed Child Student sponsor, confirmed by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. If you’ve been in the UK for less than 12 months, you’ll need to show proof of enough money to support yourself.

Child Student Visa Eligibility

To apply for a Child Student Visa, you must meet the following requirements, which are part of the UK’s points-based immigration system.

  • A Child Student Visa applicant needs 70 points to make a successful Child Student Visa application.

Study requirement

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

You need to have an unconditional offer of study from a licensed student sponsor. An unconditional offer means the school is ready to accept you without any further conditions. Once you have been offered a place on an approved course of study at an independent school or private school in the UK, your education provider will send you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number.

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a unique number that confirms you have been accepted onto a course of study in the UK. The reference number needs to be inserted into the Child Student Visa application form. You must apply for your Child Student visa within six months of receiving your CAS.

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies must not have been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused and the education institution must not have withdrawn its offer.

The CAS must also contain specific information, including details of the course to be studied, the cost of accommodation, the tuition fees, and any payment already made.

Institution Requirements

The unconditional offer must come from an independent school that holds a valid Sponsor Licence. The Home Office publishes a list of institutions licensed to sponsor migrant students under the Student and Child Student routes, updated daily. 

Course Requirements

You can study a course at an independent school that follows one of these standards:

  • National Curriculum: The official curriculum for schools in the UK.
  • Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at level 3 or below: A system that organises qualifications based on their difficulty level.
  • Independent School Education Inspection Standards: Standards that private schools must meet for education quality.

You can also study a course that is considered the same academic level by the following organisations:

  • Ofsted: Inspects schools in England to ensure they meet educational standards.
  • Education Scotland: Oversees education quality in Scotland.
  • Estyn: Responsible for inspecting schools in Wales.
  • Education and Training Inspectorate: Ensures education standards in Northern Ireland.

Additionally, you can take a short ‘pre-sessional’ course to help you prepare for your main course. Your Confirmation of Acceptance can include your pre-sessional course and your main course of study.

Parental Consent requirement

All Child Student Visa applicants must provide written parental consent. For applicants under the age of 16, only certain care and living arrangements are allowed in the UK.

Both parents with legal responsibility for the child must sign the consent letter. However, if you have sole custody, only your signature is required, and the letter should be adjusted to reflect this. The letter should clearly state your relationship with the child and confirm your consent for the child to apply for a visa as a dependant.

The consent letter must also outline the agreed care and living arrangements for your child while in the UK, providing specific details.

You will need to include a legal document that verifies your relationship with the child. Acceptable documents include:

  • Your child’s birth certificate shows the name(s) of the parent(s) who provided the financial evidence (in China, a Household Register can be used instead of a birth certificate).
  • A certificate of adoption showing the child’s name and the parent(s) providing the financial evidence.
  • A court document confirming the child’s name and the legal guardian(s) holding the funds.

Contact us for a sample consent letter template for parents or legal guardians, which you can use to assist with the application process.

Financial Requirements

A significant part of the child student visa application involves proving that you have sufficient funds to cover the costs of studying and living in the UK. The amount you need depends on where you live and who will be looking after you.

If You Live with a Parent or Guardian

  • Your parent must have a Parent of a Child Student visa to accompany you.
  • If you’re over 12, your parent will not be eligible unless you have a sibling under 12 who also has a Child Student visa.
  • You must have enough money to cover your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).
  • Additionally, you and your parent will need £1,560 per month (for up to 9 months).
  • If your parent brings another child (your sibling), they’ll need an extra £625 per month (for up to 9 months) for each additional child.

If You’re Boarding at an Independent School

  • You must have enough money to cover your course and boarding fees for one academic year (up to nine months).

If You Live with a Foster Carer or Close Relative

  • You need enough money for your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).
  • Your foster carer or close relative must have at least £570 per month (for up to 9 months).
  • They must be British citizens or have settled status (indefinite leave to remain) and cannot be your parents.

If You’re 16 or 17 and Living Independently

  • You must have enough money for your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).
  • Additionally, you’ll need:
    • £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) if studying in London.
    • £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) if studying outside London.

Proving Your Funds

You (or your parent) must have the money for at least 28 consecutive days, and the end date of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of your visa application.

You can use:

  • A student loan from a government or regulated loan company.
  • Official financial sponsorship, such as from a government or university.
  • Your own or your parent’s money (with a letter of consent from them).
  • Your partner’s money if they are in the UK or applying at the same time.

You cannot use:

    • Overdrafts, cryptocurrency, stocks and shares, pensions, or bank accounts that aren’t regulated.

Exemptions

  • You don’t need to prove you have money if you’ve had a valid UK visa for at least 12 months before your Child Student Visa application.
  • You’re also exempt if you’re a British national overseas or from a country listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement.’

Countries Listed Under the Differential Evidence Requirement

Genuine Student Requirement

Child Student Visa applicants aged 16 and over must demonstrate a genuine intention to study in the UK and comply with all visa conditions. The Home Office caseworker will assess the application and must be satisfied, based on the balance of probabilities, that the applicant is a genuine student.

Required Documentation

When applying for your Child Student visa, you must provide the following:

  • A current passport or other valid travel document.
  • A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider.
  • Written consent from your parent or legal guardian for your study in the UK.
  • Proof that you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course (this varies depending on your situation).
  • Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian (such as a birth certificate or government-issued document showing their names).
  • Evidence of the qualifications you used to get a place on your course if required by your course provider.
  • Tuberculosis (TB) test results.
  • Written consent from your financial sponsor if you’ve been sponsored for course fees and living costs in the last 12 months.

Application Fees

The application fees depend on whether you are applying from within or outside the UK.

  • Applying from outside the UK: £490
  • Extending or switching from inside the UK: £490

Healthcare Surcharge

The annual Immigration Healthcare Surcharge for the Child Student Visa is £776, which covers access to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

Processing Times

You can apply for a Child Student Visa as early as six months before your course starts. If you’re applying from overseas, processing usually takes up to three weeks.

You can apply for a Child Student Visa as early as six months before your course starts. If you’re applying from overseas, processing usually takes up to three weeks.

If you’re applying for a Child Student Visa from within the UK, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts. You must apply before your current visa expires, and your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa’s expiration. When applying from within the UK, you will typically receive a decision within 8 weeks of submitting your application.

How to Apply for a Child Student Visa

All applications for Child Student visas are made online via the government website.

Post Approval

If your Child Student Visa is approved, you can arrive in the UK up to 1 month before your course starts but no earlier than the start date listed on your visa. The length of time you can stay in the UK depends on your age at the time of application and the length of your course.

Restrictions

As a Child Student visa holder, there are several restrictions.

    • You cannot study at an academy, a local authority-funded (maintained) school, or further and higher education institutions.
    • You are not eligible for public funds (benefits), cannot take a full-time permanent job or be self-employed, and are not allowed to work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer.
    • You cannot apply for settlement or bring dependents. If a parent wants to accompany you, they must apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa.

Child Student Visa Extension

You may be eligible to extend your Child Student visa to stay longer in the UK, including if you currently have a (Child) student visa. To qualify, you must be in the UK on a valid Child Student or Child visa, and you need an unconditional offer from a licensed Child Student sponsor. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies will confirm this offer. If you’ve been in the UK for less than 12 months, you’ll also need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay.

The earliest you can apply to extend your visa is 3 months before your new course begins. You must apply before your current visa expires, and your new course must start within 28 days of your current visa’s expiration.

Get Help With Your Child's Student Visa Application

Navigating the UK Child Student Visa process takes careful planning and attention to detail. Parents must first help their child secure an offer from a licensed education provider. Understanding eligibility, choosing the right school, and arranging accommodation are all critical steps in the process.

We have assisted many families in obtaining Child Student Visas, as well as Parent of a Child Student Visas for guardianship during the child’s studies. If you’d like to arrange a consultation and learn how we can support your family, please get in touch to discuss your case.

Child Student Visa

Child Student visa application fees apply to each applicant.

Apply Outside UK

£524

Additional fees

£776

Immigration Health Surcharge (Child)

Apply Inside UK

£524

Additional fees

£776

Immigration Health Surcharge (Child)

Immigration Health Surcharge

When applying for a Child Student visa, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge to cover your healthcare costs while in the UK. Since February 2024, the surcharge has been £776 per year, following a 66% increase.

Additional Costs

  • Translation of Documents: Costs for translating any official documents not in English or Welsh.
  • English Language Test: Fees for taking the required English language test.
  • You can pay extra to speed up your application: £500 for the Priority Service (decision within 5 working days) for out-country application only or £1,000 for the Super Priority Service (decision by the next working day) for in-country application only. Availability depends on the country you are applying from.

Visa Duration

Usually granted for the full length of the course, up to a maximum of 6 years, plus some additional time before and after the course dates.

Frequently Asked

Common questions, answered honestly.

Immigration law is rarely simple. Here are the questions we hear most often. If yours isn’t here — just ask.

Ask Your Question
Can parents stay in the UK with their child on a Child Student Visa?

It is possible for one parent to stay in the UK with their child by applying for a Parent of a Child Student Visa. This visa has its own specific requirements and restrictions.

The UK Child Student Visa is available for schooling children aged 4 to 17 years old.

Applications submitted from outside the UK typically take up to 3 weeks to process, while applications from within the UK usually can take up to 8 weeks. There may be Priority Service options available to fast-track your applications, depending on location and availability.

Yes, you can apply to extend your Child Student Visa or switch to the adult Student Visa if you meet the eligibility requirements, including having a valid CAS.

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a certificate with reference number issued by a UK education institution with a Sponsor Licence, confirming that the student has met all requirements for enrolment. It must be provided as part of the Child Student Visa application process.

No, a CAS is required to extend your child student visa, as it confirms your enrolment in a course with a licensed educational sponsor.

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