UK Child Student Visa- Eligibility, Documents Required and Application Process

A person aged between 4 and 17 can apply for a UK Child Student visa if they want to study at an independent school (privately funded school that charges fees) in the UK.

They must:

• Have an unconditional official offer of a place on a course at an independent school 

• Have a suitable place arranged to live in the UK 

• Show they will have access to enough funds to support themselves in the UK and pay for their course 

• Show that they have got the consent of their parent(s) or legal guardian to study and live in the UK 

Those aged 18 or over wishing to study in the UK can apply for a UK Student Visa instead. 

Those with EUSS – Settled or EUSS – Pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme do not need to apply for a visa.

The Child Student route does not lead to indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the UK.

The family members (‘dependants’) of the child student cannot apply to join or stay with them in the UK. However, a parent who wants to accompany their child in the UK can apply for a UK Parent of a Child Student visa.

Validity requirements 

A person applying as a Child Student seeking entry clearance to the UK or permission to stay here must apply online on the gov.uk website. Applicants outside the UK need to use the form “Child Student visa”, or applicants inside the UK need to use the form “Child Student”.

A Child Student application seeking entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK must satisfy all the following criteria:

• The applicant must have paid any required fee and immigration health charge;

• The applicant must have enrolled in biometrics (their fingerprints and facial photograph) when required;

• The applicant must have submitted a passport or other valid document to establish their identity and nationality;

• When the applicant applies, they must have a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from their student sponsor;

• The applicant must of the age between 4 and 17 years when they apply

• If the applicant has, in the last 12 months before the date of their Child Student visa application, completed a course in the UK for which they have received a sponsorship or scholarship from an International Scholarship agency or by a government covering the course fees as well as living costs for study in the UK, they must submit written consent to the application from that agency or Government

If the child is in the UK and re applying to switch (permission to stay) to the Child Student route must not currently have, or have last been granted, permission on any of the following:

1. UK Visitor visa; or

2. Short-term Student visa; or

3. Outside the Immigration Rules.

Any application that does not satisfy all the validity criteria for the Child Student visa may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability Requirements

A Child Student visa application must not fall for refusal under Immigration Rules - Part Suitability.

The applicant seeking permission to stay must not be:

(a) In breach of UK immigration laws, except that where the “Exceptions for overstayers” in Part Suitability applies; or

(b) On immigration bail. 

Eligibility Requirements

A child student wishing to enter the UK on the Child Student route must apply for and obtain entry clearance to the UK before arriving in the country. 

1. Genuine Child Student Requirement

An applicant aged 16 or 17 years must be a genuine student.

2. Care requirements for a child student

The decision maker must be satisfied that there will be appropriate living, care, and, where applicable, guardianship arrangements for the applicant’s safety whilst in the UK.

An application for obtaining entry clearance to the UK or permission to stay here must be refused where the Child Student’s nominated guardian, close relative, or private foster carer appointed by the Child Student’s parent, legal guardian, or school to care for their child in the UK, or any adult regularly living with the nominated guardian:

1. has been convicted by a court of a criminal offence committed in the UK or outside of the UK for which they have been given a custodial sentence (period of imprisonment) of at least 12 months; or

2. is a habitual offender who shows a particular disregard for the immigration and/or wider law; or

3. has committed one or more criminal offences which caused serious harm.

An application for obtaining entry clearance to the UK or permission to stay here may be refused where the Child Student’s nominated guardian, close relative, or private foster carer appointed by the Child Student’s parent, legal guardian, or school to care for their child in the UK, or any adult regularly living with the nominated guardian:

(a) has been convicted by a court of a criminal offence committed in the UK or abroad for which they have been given a custodial sentence (period of imprisonment) of less than 12 months; or

(b) has been convicted by a court of a criminal offence committed in the UK or overseas for which they have been given a non-custodial sentence, or an out-of-court disposal recorded on their criminal record. 

3. Points Requirement for a Child Student

The applicant will need to earn 70 points for the following:

For meeting the age requirement, CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) requirement, course requirement, study at an independent school, and consent from the parent requirement– 50 Points

For meeting the financial requirements – 20 points

CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) requirement for a Child Student

Once the applicant's education provider has offered them a place on a course, they’ll send them a reference number called a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).

The CAS is a virtual document. It must:

• Have been issued by a student sponsor (an independent school) whose sponsor licence is still valid on the date on which the Child Student visa application is decided.

• Carry all necessary information to demonstrate that the course meets the requirements for the child student visa. 

• Not have been used in any previous application which was either approved or refused (but could have been relied on in a previous application which was rejected as invalid, withdrawn, or made void).

• State the fees and cost of accommodation (and any payment already made) in order to assess the financial requirements. 

The student sponsor must not have withdrawn the offer since they issued the CAS.

4. Course requirements for a Child Student

The applicant can do a course at an independent school that’s:

a. provided in line with the National Curriculum; or 

b. provided in line with the RQF (Recognised Qualification Framework) at level 3 or below, and is not a foundation course that will prepare the applicant for entry to the main course; or

c. accepted as being of equivalent academic level to (a) or (b) above by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) in England, the Education and Training Inspectorate in Northern Ireland, Education Scotland in Scotland, or Estyn in Wales; or

d. provided in line with prevailing Independent School education inspection standards.

Parental Consent Requirement for a Child Student

The applicant must have consent from their parent(s) or legal guardian. 

If the applicant will be living full-time or part-time with a close relative, nominated guardian, or private foster carer in the UK, that close relative, nominated guardian, or private foster carer must be a British citizen or present and settled in the UK.

5. Living Arrangement Requirement for the Child Student

The child student must have a suitable place to live in the UK. They can live part-time or full-time in boarding at a residential independent school, full-time with a close relative or foster carer, or full-time with their parent or legal guardian. Those aged 16 or 17 can also live independently.

6. Financial Requirement for a Child Student

The child applicant must show that they have enough money to pay for their course fee and support themselves in the UK, unless, at the time of application they have been in the UK with a valid permission for at least 12 months, or they are a British National (Overseas) or a national of one of the listed countries or territories under the ‘differential evidence requirement’.

1. Boarding part-time or full-time at a school

       The applicant must have sufficient funds to pay their outstanding course fees and boarding fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

2. Living full-time with a close relative or foster carer

      The applicant must have sufficient funds to pay their outstanding course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

      Their close relative or foster carer must confirm they have £570 or more a month (for up to 9 months).

3. Living full-time with their parent or legal guardian

        The applicant must have sufficient funds to pay their course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

        They will also need £1,560 a month (for up to 9 months) for both themselves and their parent.

        The parent will need an extra £625 a month (for up to 9 months) for each additional child they accompany to the UK. The child must be the main applicant’s sibling and must also have  a Child Student visa.

4. If they are aged 16 or 17 and living independently

       Those aged 16 or 17 must have enough money to pay for their course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

       They will also need:

• £1,334 a month (for up to 9 months) if they are studying in London (this means the city of London and the 32 London boroughs); or

• £1,023 a month (for up to 9 months) if they are studying outside of London

Documents they need

Below is not an exhaustive list of documents a UK Child Student visa applicant will be required to submit with their application: 

• A passport or other valid travel document showing their identity and nationality 

• CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) – they will get this from their course provider

• A letter of consent in writing from their parent (s) or legal guardian confirming the applicant's suitable and approved care and living arrangements in the UK

• A letter of consent from a close relative, foster carer, or nominated guardian if the applicant is planning to live with them.

• If the applicant, at the time of application, does not know who their nominated guardian is, they must provide a letter from a member of staff at the organisation who will arrange their nominated guardian.  

• Applicants aged 16 or 17 must submit one of the following documents that they used to be assigned their CAS, unless they are applying under the differentiation arrangements, or if the assessment from their student sponsor was not based on qualifications or references. 

• The certificate or certificates of qualification 

• The transcript of results 

• The print-out of the certificate or certificates of qualification or transcript results from the online checking service of the awarding body

If the applicant provides none of these documents, the caseworker will request them.

They may also need to provide:

• Proof such as bank statements, bank letters, or a student loan letter (only if the loan is from a government, a government-sponsored loan scheme, or a regulated student loan provider) showing that they have enough money to support themselves and pay for their course - this will vary depending on their circumstances. 

• If they are using a parent or guardian’s account, they will need to provide 

• Proof of their relationship to their parent(s) or legal guardian (for example, a birth certificate or other government-issued document showing their names) 

• Consent letter in writing for their UK Child Student visa application from their financial sponsor if they have received sponsorship for their course fees and living costs in the last 12 months

• Child Student applicants seeking entry clearance from overseas must also provide a valid Tuberculosis test certificate (if Appendix Tuberculosis applies).

• If they have had a scholarship or award to study in the UK in the past 12 months, they will also need written consent to apply from the agency or government that granted it.

If any documents are not in English or Welsh, a certified translation of those documents will be required. 

Documents not required under the differentiation arrangements

Applicants qualifying under the differentiation arrangement will not normally have to submit: 

• documents used by their student sponsor to assess their academic ability 

• Applicants aged 16 or 17 are not required to submit the documents they used to be awarded their CAS

• documentary evidence of their funds 

Applying for a UK Child Student visa (entry clearance) from overseas 

The applicant must apply online on gov.uk using the specified application form for this visa. They must apply from outside the UK before they travel to the UK. 

The earliest the applicant can apply is 6 months before they start their course of study. 

The applicant will need to pay the Child Student visa application fee of £524.

They will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge of £776 each year they will be in the UK. 

As part of their online application for entry clearance, they will need to prove their identity. They can do so by using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, where they scan their identity document, or by booking an appointment at a VAC (Visa Application Centre) in their country. 

If a person has booked an appointment at a VAC, on the date of the appointment, they will have their biometrics (their fingerprints and facial photograph) taken at the VAC. They will need to take their passport with them to the VAC where they will be able to collect it on the day. 

The applicant should allow time to attend their VAC appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country. 

Switching from another UK visa to a UK Child Student visa 

If the applicant is switching to the Child Student visa, they must apply online from inside the UK and before their current visa expires. Their new course must start within 28 days of their current visa expiring.

Also, the earliest the applicant can apply is 3 months before their course of study starts.  They must also apply within 6 months of getting a CAS.  

The applicant will need to pay £524 to apply.

They will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge of £776 each year they will be in the UK. 

They will need to prove their identity as part of their application for permission to stay. They can prove it either by using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, where they scan their identity document, or by booking an appointment at a UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services) service point in the UK. 

If the applicant has booked an appointment at a UKVCAS, on the date of the appointment, they will have their biometrics (fingerprints and facial photograph) taken there. 

They can also submit supporting documents proving their eligibility. They can:

• Upload their documents into the UKVCAS online service; or 

• Have them scanned at their UKVCAS appointment

Getting a Decision

Once the applicant has applied for the Child Student visa online, proved their identity, and submitted the supporting documents, they will usually get a decision on their application from the UKVI within 8 weeks (if they are inside the UK), and within 3 weeks (if they are outside the UK).

The UKVI will contact the applicant if the application for the UK Child Student visa is complex and will take longer, for example, because:

• The UKVI needs to verify their supporting documents 

• The UKVI needs them to attend an interview (if aged 16 or 17)

• Of their own circumstances (for example, if they have a criminal conviction)

The applicant aged under 16 may be granted permission for the length of their course (up to 6 years) plus 4 months after their course ends, and the applicants aged 16 or 17 may be granted permission for the length of their course (up to 3 years) plus 4 months after their course ends.

How can Visa and Migration Ltd help?

We have expertise and experience in assisting international child students and their parent(s)/legal guardians, if their child wishes to study at an independent school in the UK.  Our immigration experts provide parents and children with the right immigration options (especially if the child is aged 16 or 17, where they have the option to apply for a UK Student Visa instead) and guide them through the complex Immigration Rules and Home Office guidance. We help you through the entire Child Student visa process. 

We are always approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting your requirements. We are a highly dedicated team providing you with clear, appropriate, and reliable immigration advice. We are known for offering you professional and friendly service.