Child Student Visa

Guide to the UK Child Student Visa

Understanding the UK Child Student Visa: Who It's For and How It Works

This visa is designed for children aged between 4 and 17 who wish to attend an independent school in the UK.

The UK Child Student Visa is an excellent option for younger international students looking to study in the UK. It ensures that children receive an education whilst also complying with immigration requirements.

Always ensure that you meet all requirements, including the unconditional offer from a licensed school, proof of financial support, and parental consent to guarantee a smooth application process.

Who Can Apply for a UK Child Student Visa?

UK Child Student Visa Requirements: Is Your Child Eligible?

You must:

Hold an unconditional offer for a place on a course at an independent school
Demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself whilst studying in the UK and to cover the cost of your course
Obtain consent from your parent or guardian to study in the UK, and be able to provide proof of this when you apply

Financial Requirements for a UK Child Student Visa

How Much Money Do You Need for a UK Child Student Visa?

You must have enough money available to you to pay for your course and support you in the UK.

If You'll Live With Your Parent or Guardian

If you will be living with your parent or guardian, your parent must hold a Parent of a Child Student visa to accompany you to the UK. If you’re over 12, your parent won’t be eligible unless you have a younger sibling under 12 who also holds a Child Student visa.
You must have enough funds to cover your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).
Additionally, you’ll need £1,560 per month (for up to 9 months), which is for both you and your parent.
If your parent is bringing additional children with them, they will need an extra £625 per month (for up to 9 months) for each additional child. The child must be your sibling and must also have a Child Student visa.

If You're Boarding at an Independent School

You must have enough money to pay for your course fees and your boarding fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

If You'll Live With a Foster Carer or Close Relative

You must have enough money to pay for your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).
Your foster carer or close relative must confirm they have at least £570 per month (for up to 9 months).
Your foster carer or close relative must be a British citizen or be settled (have ‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK. They cannot be your parent.

If You're 16 or 17 and Living Independently

You must have enough money to pay for your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

You’ll also need either:

£1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) if you’re studying in London
£1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) if you’re studying outside of London

You must prove you (or your parent) have the money for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 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’ll need to provide evidence of this from your loan or sponsorship company.

When You Do Not Need to Prove You Have Money to Support Yourself

You do not need to prove you have money to support yourself if you’ve had a valid UK visa for at least 12 months immediately prior to the date of your Child Student visa application.
You must currently be in the UK.

If You're From a Country Listed Under the 'Differential Evidence Requirement'

You do not need to prove you have enough money to support yourself if you’re a British national overseas or from one of the following countries or territories:

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, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, 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.

However, you might be asked to provide this evidence before you receive a decision on your application.

How to Apply for a UK Child Student Visa?

UK Child Student Visa Application Process: How to Get Approved?

The first step is to determine if this visa is suitable for you. You can apply for a Child Student visa if you’re between 4 and 17 years old and wish to study at an independent school in the UK.

You should:

Review the activities allowed and not allowed on this visa
Check which courses are eligible for this visa
Note that if you’re 18 or older, you may qualify for a different visa
After you’ve decided to apply for a Child Student Visa, you should start to prepare the evidence you need and all other requested and supporting documents.

When to Apply

The timing of your application depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

Applying from outside the UK:

You can apply for a visa up to 6 months before your course begins
You’ll typically receive a decision within 3 weeks

Applying from inside the UK:

You can apply as early as 3 months before your course starts
You must submit your application before your current visa expires, and your new course should begin within 28 days of your current visa ending
You’ll usually receive a decision within 8 weeks

Parent of a Child Student Visa

Can a Parent Stay in the UK with a Child Student Visa Holder?

You can only apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa if your child has, or is applying for, a Child Student visa, or if they currently hold a Tier 4 (Child) visa.
Your child must be between the ages of 4 and 11 when you apply and must be attending an independent school in the UK.

You must also:

Be the only parent accompanying your child to the UK
Have sufficient funds to support both yourself and your child whilst in the UK
Keep your primary home outside the UK
Plan to leave the UK when your visa expires

To be eligible for the Parent of a Child Student visa, you must be the sole parent accompanying your child to the UK. The other parent must live abroad and cannot join you in the UK.
You can bring your other children with you if they also have, or are applying for, a Child Student visa. However, you cannot bring other family members.
If your child is 12 or older, they can only live with you in the UK if you hold a Parent of a Child Student visa based on a younger sibling who has a Child Student visa.
Your stay in the UK will last until your child’s visa expires or they turn 12, whichever comes first. You can extend your visa whilst in the UK if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Required Documents for a UK Child Student Visa

UK Child Student Visa Document List: What to Prepare?

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

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 allowing you to study in the UK

You may also need to provide:

Proof that you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course, depending on your specific situation
Proof of your relationship with your parent or guardian (such as a birth certificate or another government-issued document showing their names)
Evidence of the qualifications you used to secure a place on your course, if required by your course provider
Your tuberculosis (TB) test results
Written consent from your financial sponsor, if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the past 12 months

Parental Consent

You must provide written consent from both parents (or just one parent if they have sole responsibility) or your legal guardian.

This consent must confirm that they agree to:

Your visa application
Your living arrangements and care in the UK
Your travel to the UK

If You're Living With a Close Relative or Foster Carer, You'll Need to Provide Additional Evidence

Child Student applicants must demonstrate that appropriate care and accommodation arrangements are in place for their stay in the UK. If the applicant will be living with a close relative or private foster carer who is a British citizen or settled in the UK, the applicant must provide written confirmation from the intended carer about the care arrangements.

The written confirmation must include the following details:

The carer’s name, current address, and contact information
The address where the carer and the child will live in the UK, if different from the carer’s current address
Confirmation that the accommodation is a private home, not a commercial establishment
Confirmation that the carer has at least £570 per month to support and accommodate the Child Student for the duration of the course
The relationship between the child’s parents or legal guardian and the intended carer
Confirmation that the carer agrees to the care arrangements for the child
The signature and date of the agreement

Proof of the carer’s immigration status must also be provided. Acceptable documents to verify their status include:

A copy of the biographic page of a current UK passport
Evidence showing the individual holds settled status in the UK, such as a biometric residence permit with indefinite leave to remain or proof of status under the EU Settlement Scheme
A certificate of naturalisation as a UK citizen

The parents or legal guardian must confirm the relationship with the intended carer if they are a close relative and provide details of where the child will stay.
This information can be included in the consent letter required by Appendix Children or as a separate letter.

Can You Extend a UK Child Student Visa?

How to Extend a UK Child Student Visa and Continue Education?

You may be eligible to apply for an extension of your Child Student visa to stay longer in the UK.

To extend your visa, you must:

Be in the UK on a Child Student visa (or a Tier 4 (Child) student visa)
Have an unconditional offer for a place on a course with a licensed Child Student sponsor, as confirmed by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
If you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for less than 12 months, you will need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself