Child Student visa

Printable version

1. Overview

You can apply for a Child Student visa if you바카라 사이트檙e between 4 and 17 years old and you want to study at an independent school in the UK.

You must:

If you바카라 사이트檙e 18 or over, apply for a Student visa instead.

This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (Child) student visa.

When to apply

When you can apply depends on whether you바카라 사이트檙e applying from inside or outside the UK.

Applying from outside the UK

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.

You바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

Applying from inside the UK

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

You바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

How long you can stay

How long you can stay depends on your age on the date you apply and the length of your course.

Age when you apply How long you can stay
Under 16 Course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months afterwards
16 or 17 Course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months afterwards

When you can travel to the UK

You can arrive up to 1 month before your course starts, but no earlier than the start date given on your visa.

Staying longer in the UK

You may be able to:

Fees

It costs:

  • 拢524 to apply for a Child Student visa from outside the UK
  • 拢524 to extend or switch to a Child Student visa from inside the UK

You바카라 사이트檒l also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.聽

How much you pay depends on how long your visa lasts.

What you can and cannot do

You can study at an independent school.

If you바카라 사이트檙e 16 or over you can work:

  • part-time during term for up to 10 hours per week
  • full-time during vacations
  • on a work placement as part of your course (but not for more than 50% of your course)

You cannot:

  • study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school) or further or higher education institution
  • get public funds (benefits)
  • take a full-time permanent job or be self-employed
  • work as a professional sportsperson (for example a sports coach) or entertainer
  • apply for settlement
  • bring family members (바카라 사이트榙ependants바카라 사이트�) - if a parent wants to accompany you, they바카라 사이트檒l need to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa visa

If your application is successful, you바카라 사이트檒l get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Child Student visa.

2. Your course

You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Child Student sponsor.

To prove this, your education provider will send you a reference number (called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)) once they바카라 사이트檝e offered you a place on the course. You need a CAS before you can apply for your visa.

Courses you can study

You can do a course at an independent school that바카라 사이트檚 taught in line with one of the following:

You can also do a course that바카라 사이트檚 accepted as being at the same academic level by:

You can do a short 바카라 사이트榩re-sessional바카라 사이트� course to prepare you for your main course.

You cannot do a foundation course that will prepare you for direct entry to a higher education institution.

Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Once your education provider has offered you a place on a course, they바카라 사이트檒l send you a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

You바카라 사이트檒l need to enter this reference number on your visa application.

Your CAS can cover both the pre-sessional course and your main course of study.

You must apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS.

3. Money you need

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

How much money you need depends on where you will live and who will be looking after you.

Your parent must have a Parent of a Child Student visa to accompany you to the UK. If you바카라 사이트檙e over 12 your parent will not be eligible, unless you have a younger sibling who바카라 사이트檚 under 12 and also has a Child Student visa.

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

You바카라 사이트檒l also need 拢1,560 per month (for up to 9 months) - this amount is for both you and your parent.

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

If you바카라 사이트檙e 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 you바카라 사이트檒l 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 拢570 per month (for up to 9 months).

Your foster carer or close relative must be a British citizen or be settled (have 바카라 사이트榠ndefinite leave to remain바카라 사이트�) in the UK. They cannot be your parent.

If you바카라 사이트檙e 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).

You바카라 사이트檒l also need either:

  • 拢1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) if you바카라 사이트檙e studying in London
  • 拢1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) if you바카라 사이트檙e studying outside of London

London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.

Read the guidance to find out how much money you need and how to prove it.

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.

Example

If you submit your application on 1 January 2021, you바카라 사이트檇 have to show that the funds were in your bank account for at least the 28-day period ending on 1 December.

If you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you바카라 사이트檒l 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 you바카라 사이트檝e 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 you바카라 사이트檙e from a country listed under the 바카라 사이트榙ifferential evidence requirement바카라 사이트�

You do not need to prove you have enough money to support yourself if you바카라 사이트檙e 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 get a decision on your application.

If you do need to provide it, you바카라 사이트檒l be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) after you바카라 사이트檝e submitted your application.

Read the guidance to find out how much money you need and how to prove it.

4. Documents you'll need to apply

When you apply for your Child Student visa you must provide:

  • a current passport or other valid travel documentation
  • a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
  • written consent from your parent or legal guardian for your study and living arrangements in the UK

You may also need to provide:

  • proof that you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - this will vary depending on your circumstances
  • proof of your relationship to your parent or legal guardian (for example a birth certificate or other government issued document showing their names)
  • evidence of the qualifications you used to get a place on your course - if this was required by your course provider
  • your tuberculosis (TB) test results
  • written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you바카라 사이트檝e received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances. Read the guidance for the full list of documents you바카라 사이트檒l need to provide.

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you need to give your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre. You바카라 사이트檒l be told if you need to do this when you apply.

You must have written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or legal guardian. This must confirm they consent to your:

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

Their consent must confirm that your living arrangements will be one of the following:

  • living with your parent or legal guardian
  • at an independent boarding school
  • living independently and aged 16 or 17
  • living with a foster carer or close relative, who is not your legal guardian

If you바카라 사이트檒l live with a foster carer or close relative

You바카라 사이트檒l need to provide additional evidence if you바카라 사이트檒l live with a foster carer or close relative, who is not your legal guardian. Read the guidance for the full list of documents you바카라 사이트檒l need to provide.

5. Apply

You must apply online for a Child Student visa.

Check which documents you바카라 사이트檒l need to apply.

Apply outside the UK

As part of your application, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트檙e from and what type of passport you have.

You바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre
  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan your identity document (you바카라 사이트檒l also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration account)

You바카라 사이트檒l be told what you need to do when you apply.

Once you바카라 사이트檝e started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

How long it takes to get a decision

You바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Apply inside the UK

You may be able to apply to:

After you apply

You바카라 사이트檒l be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview (if you바카라 사이트檙e 16 or 17)
  • of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

If you need to change something in your application after you바카라 사이트檝e sent it, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to withdraw your application by contacting UKVI. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

After you get a decision

If your application is successful, you바카라 사이트檒l get an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status).

Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa. You바카라 사이트檒l need to create a UKVI account.

6. Extend your visa

You may be able to apply to extend your Child Student visa to stay longer in the UK. This includes if you currently have a Tier 4 (Child) student visa.

To extend your visa you must:

If you바카라 사이트檝e been in the UK with a valid visa for less than 12 months, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove you have enough money to support yourself.

When to apply

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin with 28 days of your current visa expiring.

For example, if your visa expires on 1 December, you must apply for a new visa before 1 December. Your new course must begin by 29 December.

You must also apply within 6 months of getting a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

You can stay in the UK until you get your decision.

If you applied for an administrative review because your application was refused, you can stay in the UK until you get your review decision.

Fees

You바카라 사이트檒l need to pay:

You바카라 사이트檒l also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there바카라 사이트檚 no fee for this.

Apply

You must apply online.

As part of your application you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity.

How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트檙e from and the type of passport you have.

You바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point
  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan your identity document (you will also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration account)

You바카라 사이트檒l be told what you need to do when you apply.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

How long it takes to get a decision

A decision will usually be made within 8 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

You바카라 사이트檒l be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview (if you바카라 사이트檙e 16 or 17)
  • of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

If you need to change something in your application after you바카라 사이트檝e sent it, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to withdraw your application by contacting UKVI. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

If your application is successful

You바카라 사이트檒l get an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status).

Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa. You바카라 사이트檒l need to create a UKVI account.

7. Switch to this visa

You may be able to change (바카라 사이트榮witch바카라 사이트�) to a Child Student visa from another visa. You must be between 4 and 17 years old.

You cannot switch to a Child Student visa if you have one of the following:

  • a visitor visa
  • a short-term student visa
  • leave outside the immigration rules

If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you do not need to apply for a visa.

Eligibility

To switch to a Child Student visa you must:

If you바카라 사이트檝e been in the UK with a valid visa for less than 12 months, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove you have enough money to support yourself.

When to apply

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin with 28 days of your current visa expiring.

For example, if your visa expires on 1 December, you must apply for a new visa before 1 December. Your new course must begin by 29 December.

You must also apply within 6 months of getting a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

You can stay in the UK until you get your decision.

If you applied for an administrative review because your application was refused, you can stay in the UK until you get your review decision.

Fees

You바카라 사이트檒l need to pay:

You바카라 사이트檒l also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there바카라 사이트檚 no fee for this.

Apply

You must apply online.

As part of your application you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity.

How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트檙e from and the type of passport you have.

You바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point
  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan your identity document (you will also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration account)

You바카라 사이트檒l be told what you need to do when you apply.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

How long it takes to get a decision

A decision will usually be made within 8 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

You바카라 사이트檒l be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview (if you바카라 사이트檙e 16 or 17)
  • of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

If you need to change something in your application after you바카라 사이트檝e sent it, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to withdraw your application by contacting UKVI. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

If your application is successful

You바카라 사이트檒l get an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status).

Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa. You바카라 사이트檒l need to create a UKVI account.