Child Student Visa

What is a Child Student Visa?

A UK Child Student visa enables children aged between 4 and 17 to study at an independent fee-paying school which holds a UK sponsor licence.

What Are the Key Eligibility Requirements for a Child Student Visa?

In order to successfully apply for a Child Student visa, applicants must meet the following key requirements:

• Must have been offered an unconditional place on a course at an independent school with a licenced sponsor;
• Must have access to enough money to pay for their course and support themselves in the UK;
• Must have consent from their parent(s) or guardian to study in the UK; and
• May need to provide a tuberculosis (TB) certificate depending on which country they reside in.

How Long is a Child Student Visa Valid for?

The length of the visa depends on the age of the child and the length of their course. Applicants under the age of 16 can stay in the UK for the duration of their course (up to 6 years). Applicants are granted additional time at the start and the end of the course.

Applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age can stay in the UK for the duration of their course (up to 3 years).

Can a Child Student Visa be Extended?

Before the expiry of a Child Student visa, applicants may be able to apply to extend their stay in the UK as a child student.

Applicants must, in addition to the above requirements:

• Be in the UK on a Child Student visa or a Tier 4 (Child) Student visa;
• Have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed child student sponsor - shown in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Does a Child Student Visa Lead to Settlement?

The Child Student visa route does not lead to settlement.

How Long Does it Take For a Decision to be Made?

The Home Office will usually process a Child Student visa application submitted from outside the UK within 3 weeks. An application made within the UK is usually decided within 8 weeks.

If eligible, applicants will be advised whether they can apply to get a decision faster. The Home Office charge additional fees for these priority services.

How Much Does it Cost?

The Home Office fee for a Child Student visa application made from outside the UK is £363. If and application is made within the UK to extend or switch to a Child Student visa, the Home Office fee is £490.

Applicant will also have to pay the immigration health surcharge, how much depends on the length of the course.

How We Can Help You

Our highly experienced team will provide expert advice and guidance to you throughout your immigration journey.

If you have any questions, please complete our online enquiry form or email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call us on 01724 701111 and one of our experts will be happy to assist you.