UK Child Student Visa

Who can apply for UK Child Student Visa?

• Any child between the ages of 4-17 and wish to study at an independent school in the UK 

• You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course at said independent school ( you can find the contact details of the independent schools in the UK at: https://www.isc.co.uk/schools/)

• Show that you will have access to enough money to support yourself and pay for your course (see financial requirements below)

• You will need consent from both of your parents to study in the UK 

 

We advice and represent clients to apply for UK Child Student visa. We always come up in the search for a Child Student visa solicitor / lawyer.

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How early can you apply for UK Child Student Visa? 

Outside the UK: 

• You can apply for this visa within 6 months before the course is due to start. You should get a decision within 3 weeks. i.e. if your course is due to start on 1st September, then you can apply the earliest on 2nd March. However, please note that you should instruct us at least  2 to 4 weeks before the date you wish to apply to allow us sufficient time to review all your supporting documents, advise you, prepare your application and submit it. The date of application is the date on which we submit the online application form.

• You can arrive in the UK up to one month before your course is due to start, i.e. if your course start date is 1st September, then you can come to the UK earliest on 2nd August.

 

Inside the UK: 

You can apply for this visa 3 months before your course is due to start. You should get a decision within 8 weeks. You must apply before your current visa expires, your course must start within 28 days of your current visa expiring. 

 

How long can I stay on the UK Child Student Visa?

• If you are under 16 years of age on the date of application, then the maximum course length you can apply for is 6 years and you should apply and get a visa for the period of your course length plus 4 months

• If you are between 16 years to 17 years of age on the date of application, then the maximum course length you can apply for is 3 years and you should apply and get a visa for the period of your course length plus 4 months

 

Can I extend the UK Child Student Visa or switch onto a different visa whilst on the Child Student Visa?

Yes, you may be able to extend your visa to continue your studies in the UK, if you are eligible.

You can also switch from this visa to another visa whilst in the UK. 

 

What are the fees for the UK Child Student Visa application?

• Initial application from outside the UK - £343 + Immigration Health Surcharge 

• Extension or Switching to the Child Student Visa from inside the UK - £475 + Immigration Health Surcharge

 

What are the rules and my obligations on the UK Child Student Visa?

You can: 

• Study at an independent school 

 

If you are 16 or over you can work:

• Part-time during term time, no more than 10 hours a week 

• Full time during vacations 

• On a work placement as part of your course, not for more than 50% of your course 

 

You cannot: 

• Study at an academy or local authority-funded school or further or higher education employed 

• Gain access to public funds 

• Take full time employment or be self employed 

• Work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer 

• Bring family members or dependants - if a parent wishes to accompany you, they can apply for a Parent of a Child Student Visa 

 

What are the Course Requirements for the UK Child Student Visa? 

• The applicant must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Child Student Sponsor. Once you have been offered a place on a course, the sponsor will provide a reference number - Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies(CAS). 

• The CAS is the number of the digital document which the Sponsor creates in their Sponsor Management System. This will be necessary for the application form. 

• The CAS can cover the pre-sessional course and your main course of study. The Child Student visa does not allow you to do a foundation course that will prepare you for direct entry to a higher education institution.

• You must apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS. 

 

Courses you can study (must be taught in line with one of the following) : 

• The national curriculum

• The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at level 3 or below 

• Independent school education inspection standards 

OR 

You can start a course that is accepted as being the same academic level by:

• Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED)

• Education Scotland 

• Estyn (in Wales)

• Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland)

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Can my parents(Mother or Father or both) come along with me to the UK and live in the UK till my studies are completed, while I am on the UK Child Student Visa?

• Please note that only one parent can come on a Parent of a Child Student visa. However, if the parents have two children applying for the Child Student visas, then both parents can apply for the Parent of a Child Student visa, one on each child.

• Parent of a Child Student visa can only be applied by parents of children between the ages of 4 - 11 years old.

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What are the Financial Requirements and who needs to meet them?

• The applicant needs to show that they have enough money available to pay for their course and support themselves in the UK, the amount of money you need will depend on where they live and who will be looking after them. 

• The applicant/parent/foster carer/close relative must prove that you/they have had the money for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa. 

• If you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you will need to provide evidence of this from the loan or sponsorship company. 

 

Who does not need to meet the Financial Requirement?

• You do not need to meet the financial requirement

  • if you have had a valid UK Visa for at least 12 months, immediately prior to the date of the Child Student Visa application and you must be applying the Child Student visa from inside the UK 

  •  if you are a British National Overseas or from one of the following countries or territories:  (You may be asked to provide evidence before you get a decision on your application. If this applies, you will be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) after your application has been submitted)

    • Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia

    • Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, The Dominican Republic, Estonia 

    • Finland, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan

    • Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico

    • Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Serbia

    • Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan

    • Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America

 

How much money do I need to have to meet the Financial requirement for the Child Student visa?

If you will live with your Parent or Guardian

• The applicant must have enough money to pay for the course fees for the academic year (up to 9 months), plus £1560 per month (for up to 9 months) - this is for the applicant and the parent. 

• Your parent will need an extra £625 a month to cover any additional dependants - the dependant must be your sibling and must also have a Child Student Visa. 

 

If you are boarding at an independent school:

• The applicant must have enough money to cover your boarding fees for one academic year (up to 9 months)

 

If you will live with a foster carer or close relative:

• The foster carer/close relative must be a British citizen or Settled in the UK - cannot be your parent.

• The applicant must have enough money to cover your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months)

• The foster carer/close relative must confirm they have at least £570 per month (for up to 9 months)

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If you are 16 or 17 and living independently:

• The applicant must have enough money to cover for the course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months)

 

You will also need either of the following depending upon your place of study:

• £1334 per month (for up to 9 months) if you are studying in London 

• £1023 per month (for up to 9 months) if you are studying outside of London 

 

What documents are required for this application?

Mandatory Documents: 

• A current passport or other valid travel documentation (with a blank page for your visa)

• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the applicant’s course provider

• Written consent from your parent or legal guardian for the applicant to study in the UK 

 

Other Documents, if they apply to you: 

• Proof that the applicant has enough money to support themselves and pay for their course - amount depends on the applicant's circumstances

• Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian (birth certificate) 

• Evidence of the qualifications needed to get a place on the course - if this was required by your course provider

• Tuberculosis Test Results (if this applies to you)

• Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months 

 

Do I need my parents authority for me to apply for the Child Student visa?

Yes, you must have written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or legal guardian, they must confirm that they consent to: 

• Your visa application 

• Your living arrangements and care in the UK 

• Your travel to the UK