The Child Student Visa is for children who are nationals of a country other than the UK or Ireland. The Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa is no longer in existence, having been replaced by the Child Student Visa.

To be successful, applicants must:

• Have an unconditional offer on a course from an eligible independent school
• Demonstrate that they have adequate income to pay for the course and to support themselves during the course
• Have the written consent of their parent or legal guardian to study in the UK

You can apply outside the UK for the visa six months in advance of your course start date and you will likely receive a decision in three weeks. If you are applying from inside the UK, you can apply three months in advance of the course start date and you are likely to receive a decision within eight weeks.

Child Student Visa holders aged under 16 years can stay in the UK for the length of the course (up to six years) plus four months. Visa holders aged 16 or 17 years old are permitted to stay for the length of the course (up to three years) plus four months following the end of the course.

You may be able to extend the visa if you are eligible in order to continue studying in the UK.

Requirements for a Child Student Visa

In order to qualify for a Child Student Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

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

Course Requirements for a Child Student Visa

Child Student Visa applicants can apply for a visa 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), that 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 that is accepted as being of equivalent academic status to the above courses by Ofsted (England), the Education and Training Inspectorate (Northern Ireland), Education Scotland (Scotland) or Estyn (Wales); or
• A course provided in accordance with prevailing Independent School education inspection standards.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Once you have been offered a place on an approved course of study at an independent school, your education provider will send you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number.

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies must have been issued by a student sponsor which is an independent school whose licence is still valid.  You must apply for your Child Student visa within 6 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 certain information including details of the course to be studied, the cost of accommodation, the tuition fees and any payment already made.

Financial Requirement for a Child Student Visa

You will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that you have enough cash funds to pay your course fees and support yourself financially in the UK.

Course Fees

Unless you fall within one of the special categories listed below, you will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to pay any outstanding course fees for one academic year.

Living Costs

Unless you fall within one of the special categories listed below, you will need to demonstrate that you can meet your living costs in the UK.

The amount you will need will depend on your living arrangements:

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

You will need to have held the money for at least 28 consecutive days ending not more than 31 days before the date of your Child Student Visa application.

How our immigration advisers can help

Our immigration advisers regularly assist international child students and their family members to move to, or extend their stay in, the UK in order to pursue their education.

Our immigration advisers are experts in the immigration options for child students and will guide you through the complex Home Office rules and policies.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our client’s needs. We are a highly driven team, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to child students as part of a professional and friendly service.