Immigration, Simplified

Child Student Visa

The Child Student visa is designed for children between 4 and 17 years old who intend to study at a fee-paying independent school in the UK. The school must hold a valid Student sponsor license approved by the Home Office.

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Official UK Government Updates

For accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official UK Government source:

Child Student Visa

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this visa, the applicant must meet the following conditions:

Age: Between 4 and 17 years old at the time of application.
School Placement: Hold an unconditional offer for a place at an approved independent school.
Care Arrangements: Provide evidence of suitable arrangements for travel, reception, and living in the UK.
Financial Support: Demonstrate enough money to cover tuition and living costs without relying on public funds.
Parental Consent: Have formal permission from parents or a legal guardian.

Eligible Courses

The course of study must meet specific standards to be valid for this route:

It must follow the National Curriculum.
It must be at Level 3 or below on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
The school must meet the official standards for Independent School education inspections.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Once the school offers a place, they will issue a CAS reference number. This is a unique electronic record. It stays valid for 6 months and must be included in the visa application. The CAS details the course specifics, tuition fees, and any payments already made toward accommodation or schooling.

Financial Requirements

Applicants must prove they have the funds to cover both course fees and maintenance.

Boarding Students: Must cover the school’s boarding and tuition fees.
Non-boarding Students: Must show funds for living costs, which vary depending on whether the school is in London or another part of the UK.
Exemptions: If the applicant has lived in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, or if they are from a “differential evidence requirement” country, they may not need to provide bank statements as part of the initial application.

The “Genuine Student” Assessment

For applicants aged 16 or 17, the Home Office performs a credibility check. They evaluate the student’s education history, the logic behind the course choice, and their general circumstances to ensure the intention is truly to study.

Application Timing and Process

Outside the UK: You can apply up to 6 months before the course begins.
Inside the UK: You can apply up to 3 months before the course start date.
Gap between visas: The new course must start within 28 days of the previous visa’s expiry date.

Decision Times

International applications: Usually processed within 3 weeks.
UK-based applications: Usually processed within 8 weeks.

Length of Stay and Travel

Students can arrive in the UK up to one month before the course starts, but not before the “valid from” date on the visa vignette.

Under 16s: Can stay for the duration of the course plus 4 months, up to a maximum of 6 years.
16 or 17 year olds: Can stay for the duration of the course plus 4 months, up to a maximum of 3 years.

Work Rights

Students aged 16 or 17 are permitted to work up to 10 hours per week during term time. During official school holidays, they may work full time.

Extensions and Next Steps

To extend a stay, the student must be currently in the UK on a Child Student visa and under the age of 18. They will need a new CAS from a licensed sponsor and proof of funds. While this route does not lead directly to permanent settlement, many students choose to switch to the “Student” route (for higher education) once they turn 18.