CHILD STUDENT VISA
Children aged between 4 and 17 can apply for a Child Student Visa. This visa route allows children to enroll in an independent school in the UK. The applicants can only study at a school that is a Home Office-approved student sponsor.
If you are aged 18 or over and wish to study a further or higher education course in the UK then you should apply for a Study Visa instead. If you are aged 16 or 17 and want to study a course at or above Level 3 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework then you can apply as either a Child Student at an independent school or as a Student.
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
- 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
The above-mentioned requirements may vary from applicant to applicant, depending upon their circumstances. For expert advice, consult an immigration lawyer.
Course Fees Course Requirements for a Child Student Visa
The applicant applying for Child Student Visa can study one of the following courses:
- A course taught in accordance with the National Curriculum
- 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
- 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)
- A course provided in accordance with prevailing Independent School education inspection standards.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
You will be provided with a CAS reference number by your education institute once you have been offered an unconditional place on a study course. You need to apply for your Child Student Visa as soon as possible, preferably within 6 months of receiving CAS.
The Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies is only valid if it has not been used in a previous application. The applicant cannot use the CAS that was either refused or granted. It can only be used as long as the educational institution has not withdrawn the offer.
The CAS must include the following information
- Details of the course to be studied
- The level of study, the place of study
- Accommodation cost and fees (and any payments already made)
- How the English language requirement has been met
Financial Requirement for a Child Student Visa
To Obtain a Child Student Visa, you must assure UK Visas and Immigration that you can easily afford your course fee and your stay in the UK.
Course Fees
The applicant needs to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to pay any outstanding course fees for one academic year unless they fall within one of the special categories
Living Costs
The applicant needs to demonstrate that he can afford his living costs in the UK unless they fall within one of the special categories:
The applicants’ living arrangements decide their cost of living in the UK:
- 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.
The applicant will need to have held the money for at least 28 consecutive days ending not more than 31 days before the date of their Child Student Visa application.
Special Categories
The following categories of applicants will automatically be treated as having satisfied the Child Student Visa financial requirement:
Applicants who have been in the UK with valid leave for at least 12 months before the date of their Child Student Visa application
Applicants who are British Nationals (Overseas) or who are from one of a list of specified countries or territories that are subject to the ‘differential evidence requirement’ (such applicants should still hold the required level of funds as UKVI reserve the right to request evidence of funds from these applicants).
Child Student Visa Processing Times
Those who apply for a Child Student Visa from outside the UK, receive a decision on their Child Student Visa application within 3 weeks.
Those who apply for a Child Student Visa from within the UK receive a decision within 8 weeks.
WHY CHOOSE UK RESIDENCY TO OBTAIN A CHILD STUDENT VISA?
UK Residency is the smart gateway for foreign students who want to move to or extend their stay in, the UK to continue their education. The immigration advisors on our team will lay out the best immigration options for students and help them understand Immigration Rules so that they can start their course of study without wasting any time.
You may qualify for a Tier 4 (General) Student visa if you are over the age of 16 and have been offered an unconditional place on a course with an educational institution holding a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence. Children aged between 4 and 17 years old can apply for a Tier 4 (Child) Student visa.
Get in touch with one of our immigration consultants to discuss options to enter the UK.