Child Student Visa

CHILD STUDENT VISA

The UK Child Student Visa route is intended for children aged 4 to 17 who wish to study at an independent school or private school in the UK that is approved as a Home Office student sponsor.

1. Requirements for a UK Child Student Visa

To qualify for a Child Student Visa to attend an independent or private school in the UK, you must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

• You are aged between 4 and 17
• You have been offered an unconditional place on an approved course at an independent school (private school) holding a valid student sponsor licence
• Appropriate arrangements are in place for your care and reception in the UK
• You possess sufficient funds to support yourself and pay for your course without relying on public funds
• You have the consent of your parent(s) or legal guardian

2. Course Requirements for a UK Child Student Visa

Child Student Visa applicants may apply to study one of the following courses:

• A course taught in accordance with the National Curriculum; or
• A course taught in accordance with the Recognised Qualification Framework (RQF), which is not a foundation course intended to prepare the Child Student for entry to a course provided by a higher education provider; or
• A course considered equivalent in academic status by Ofsted (England), Education and Training Inspectorate (Northern Ireland), Education Scotland, or Estyn (Wales); or
• A course delivered in accordance with prevailing Independent School education inspection standards

3. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Once you have been offered a place on an approved course at an independent or private school in the UK, your education provider will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number.

Key CAS Requirements:

• The CAS must be issued by a student sponsor that is an independent school with a valid licence
• You must apply for your Child Student Visa within 6 months of receiving the CAS
• The CAS must not have been used in any previous application that was either granted or refused
• The education institution must not have withdrawn its offer

The CAS must include certain details such as:

• The course information
• Accommodation costs
• Tuition fees
• Any payment already made

4. Financial Requirement for a Child Student Visa

To qualify for a Child Student Visa, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to pay your course fees and support yourself financially in the UK.

Course Fees

Unless you fall under a special category, you must show evidence of funds to cover outstanding course fees for one academic year.

Living Costs

You must demonstrate that you can meet your living costs in the UK. The required amount varies depending on your living arrangements:

• Boarding at a residential independent school: you must have boarding fees for one academic year
• Term-time private foster carer or close relative with British citizenship or ILR: the carer or relative must have funds of at least £570 per month for each month of the course (up to a maximum of 9 months)
• Living with parent/guardian holding a Parent of a Child Student Visa: you must have £1,560 per month for each month of the course (up to 9 months), plus £625 per child per month for any additional children accompanying the parent (up to 9 months)
• Aged 16 or 17 living independently: you must have either:
  • £1,265 per month (or £1,334 from 1/12/2020) for each month of the course in London (maximum 9 months), or
  • £1,015 per month (or £1,023 from 1/12/2020) for each month of the course outside London (maximum 9 months)

5. Special Categories

The following applicants are automatically considered to have met the financial requirement:

• Applicants who have been in the UK with valid leave for at least 12 months prior to their application
• British Nationals (Overseas) or applicants from specified countries/territories subject to the 'differential evidence requirement'. Such applicants must still hold the required level of funds, as UKVI may request evidence

6. Genuine Student Rule

If you are 16 or 17 years old, you must satisfy the genuine student requirement. The Home Office will assess your:

• Immigration history
• Education history
• Course details
• Reasons for studying in the UK
• Post-study plans
• Personal and financial circumstances

to determine whether you are a genuine student.

7. Switching into the Child Student Route

If you currently have valid leave to remain in the UK, you may apply to switch into the Child Student route provided that you:

• Do not currently hold, and were not last granted, permission as a Visitor, Short-term Student, or under outside the Immigration Rules
• Are not on immigration bail

8. Apply for a Child Student Visa to Attend an Independent School or Private School in the UK

• If applying from outside the UK: submit your application no more than 6 months before your course start date
• If applying from within the UK: the earliest you may apply is 3 months before your course starts. Your course must start no more than 28 days after the expiry date of your previous leave

9. Child Student Visa Processing Times

• Applications from outside the UK: decision within 3 weeks
• Applications from within the UK: decision within 8 weeks

10. Travel to the UK on a Child Student Visa

If your application is approved, you may travel to the UK up to 1 month before your course starts. If there is less than one month until the course start date, this will be reduced to 7 days.

11. Duration of Stay on a Child Student Visa

• If under 16 years old: you may stay for the duration of your course or 6 years, whichever is shorter
• If aged 16 or 17: you may stay for the duration of your course or 3 years, whichever is shorter

12. Working on a Child Student Visa

A Child Student aged 16 or over may work up to 10 hours per week during term time and for any duration during vacations.

13. Extension of Stay as a Child Student

To extend your stay, you must:

• Be in the UK
• Be aged between 4 and 17
• Be sponsored by an independent school
• Have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor
• Have sufficient funds to support yourself and pay course fees

14. Settlement in the UK as a Child Student

15. Switching into the Student Route

Child Student Visa holders may switch into the Student route.

16. How Our Immigration Barristers Can Help

Our immigration barristers regularly assist international child students and their families in applying for, or extending, a UK Child Student Visa to attend an independent or private school.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our clients' needs, providing clear and reliable immigration advice in a professional and friendly manner.