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Trusted Support for UK Child Student Visa
As a parent, nothing is harder than seeing complex Visa rules stand between your child and their dreams. We take that stress away, making the Child Student visa application process simple, secure, and stress-free, so your child’s future stays on track.
For immediate assistance, call our expert UK Immigration Solicitors at 020 3384 4389
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Frustrated with Complex Child Student Visa Requirements? Get a Clear Plan
No more confusion or wasted time. Tell us about your case, and we’ll provide an expert-backed, realistic plan to secure your UK visa.
The UK has a unique Visa category called the Child Student visa that permits students between the ages of four and seventeen to attend private schools within the country. This visa category grants the essential legal authorisation to remain and study in the country for the duration of the educational program.
In 2020, the Tier 4 (Children) Student Visa was replaced by the Child Student Visa. Only students under the age of 18 should apply through this procedure; those over the age of 18 should apply for the Student Visa.
Overwhelmed by the strict UK Student Visa rules? Let our immigration experts simplify the process and secure your child’s place in the UK.
Your Child Student Visa Journey
Child Student Visa Duration
The duration of a Child Student Visa depends on the student's age and course length. For students aged 16 or 17, the visa is granted for the course duration plus four months, with a maximum stay of three years. For those under 16, the visa is granted for the course duration plus four months, with a maximum stay of six years.
Benefits of Having a Child Student Visa
The UK Child Student Visa offers access to a world-class education system, providing a foundation for academic and personal growth. It allows students to pursue their studies at a prestigious independent school, immerse themselves in UK culture, and gain valuable life experiences, all while preparing for a bright future.
Child Student Visa Criteria
To be eligible for a Child Student Visa UK, applicants must be aged four to 17 and have an unconditional offer from a licensed school. Essential criteria include a valid CAS, sufficient funds to cover tuition and living costs, and written parental consent, all of which must be properly evidenced.
Documents Checklist
To apply for a UK Child Student Visa, you must submit a valid passport, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), and proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living costs. Additional requirements include written parental consent, relevant medical certificates, and official translations for non-English documents.
The duration of your visa directly determines the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is currently set at £776 per year for a Child Student Visa. This mandatory charge provides you with full access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) for the entirety of your visa’s validity.
Besides the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, other costs for a UK Child Student Visa include document translation and biometric enrolment. You also need to budget for professional legal fees, school deposits, and initial travel and accommodation expenses, ensuring all financial requirements are met.
For Child Student Visa applications made outside the UK, you can apply up to six months in advance, with a typical processing time of three weeks. If applying from within the UK, you must apply at least three months before your course starts, and processing times can vary.
As a holder of a UK Child Student Visa, your child can study at an accredited school and participate in all school activities. They are permitted to travel in and out of the UK during holidays and can apply to extend their visa to continue their studies. They may also switch to another visa type if eligible.
Expert Guidance
With UK Immigration Solicitors, visa deadlines are never missed, and approvals come faster.
Benefits
The Right Choice for Your Child’s Bright Future
The thought of risking your child’s future on paperwork errors is stressful. With UK Immigration Solicitors, you gain trusted guidance that clears the path to a brighter tomorrow.
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37,573
Applications Approved
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From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
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Evidence-based case preparation
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Home Office compliance checks
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Success rate optimisation
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Risk mitigation strategies
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
Work With Trusted, SRA-Regulated UK Immigration Experts
Your immigration journey is too important to risk on unqualified or unregulated help. Every case we handle is prepared by SRA-regulated solicitors who apply structured legal reasoning, precise documentation checks and full compliance with Home Office and UKVI rules.
Our accreditations are your assurance that you are working with a reputable, experienced and highly trained legal team. We combine decades of immigration expertise with strict professional standards to give you clarity, confidence and complete peace of mind — no matter which visa or application route you are pursuing.
Who Can Apply for a Child Student Visa?
Children aged four to 17 years old are eligible to apply for the Child Student Visa. To be eligible for entry clearance in this immigration category, one must meet very specific criteria.
Applicants must ensure that all of the following conditions apply to their case:
- Enroled as a genuine student at an independent fee-paying school.
- Application submitted within the valid timeframe.
- Issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
- Parental or guardian consent provided in writing.
- No history of visa overstays or immigration violations.
- Sufficient funds to cover fees and living expenses.
- Meets the required level of English proficiency.
- Holds the necessary academic qualifications.
- Intends to return home after completing the course.
There are various conditions for qualified courses, and only certain educational institutions can offer a Certificate of Sponsorship to visa applicants.
Points Requirements for a Child Student visa
To qualify for a Child Student visa in the UK, applicants must score a total of 70 points, divided as follows:
- 50 points – Study requirements
Awarded if the child:- Has a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Is enrolled in an eligible course at an independent fee-paying school
- Is between four and 17 years old
- Has written parental or guardian consent
- 20 points – Financial requirements
Granted, if the applicant can show sufficient funds to cover course fees and living costs.
Do you know?
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a unique digital reference number issued by the school. This isn’t just a formality; it’s a vital document that links your child’s visa application directly to their course and institution. You must apply for the visa within 6 months of receiving the CAS!
Genuine Student Rule
The “Genuine Student Rule” states that to get a student visa to study in the UK, one must have an honest desire to study there and to follow all of the visa’s requirements. In other words, you can’t use the visa to sneak around immigration regulations or live in the UK illegally; you have to show that you’re serious about studying.
Financial Requirements
On their application, children must show that they have sufficient funds to cover their course expenses.
Students cannot work under any circumstances until they turn 16, and even then, there are restrictions.
As per the Home Office, if the child has been in the UK for less than 12 months at the time of application, the following funding requirements apply:
Living Arrangement | Required Funds |
Boarding at a residential independent school | Must have enough funds to cover both tuition and boarding fees for one academic year |
Living with a private foster carer or close relative (British citizen or settled person) | Must have funds to cover tuition fees for one academic year |
Living with a parent or legal guardian | Sufficient funds to pay course fees for one academic year |
Aged 16 or 17 and living independently | Must show funds to cover school fees for one academic year |
Note:
If the child is relying on a government scholarship, grant, or student loan, the required amount must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days before the application.
Documents Required for a Child Student Visa UK
Some of the following documents need to be submitted to the Home Office in order to apply for the Child Student Visa.
- A valid passport or travel document.
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the school.
- Medical certificates, if applicable.
- Financial evidence showing ability to cover tuition and living costs (e.g., bank statements).
- Written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
- Proof of payment for tuition, accommodation, or other related expenses.
- Official translations for any documents not in English or Welsh.
Additional documents might be needed based on your specific situation. There is a long list of evidence you’ll need to show that you qualify for the Student Tier 4 visa.
Processing Time & Fees
Application Location | Earliest You Can Apply | Processing Time | Key Notes |
Outside the UK | Six months before the course start date | Typically, within three weeks | Processing time may vary by country and local conditions |
Within the UK | Three months before the course start date | Varies – depends on visa type and service used | Current visa must not expire; new course must start within 28 days of visa expiry |
It cost:
- £524 – for applications made from outside the UK
- £524 – to extend or switch to a Child Student visa within the UK
Additionally, applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of the process.
Is it Possible to Extend a Child Student Visa in the UK?
A Child Student Visa is granted depending on the applicant’s age and the duration of their intended course of study.
If the child is 16 or 17 years old and their course of study exceeds the maximum allowed duration of three years, they will need to reapply before their stay expires.
In order to continue their studies in the UK, international students who are 18 years old or older must apply through the Student Visa route.
In most situations, your stay in the UK on a Student Visa or Child Student Visa does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Why Study in the UK on a Child Student Visa?
The following are the benefits of studying in the UK on a Child Student visa:
- High-quality education from globally respected independent schools.
- Cultural exposure that builds adaptability and global awareness.
- Improved English proficiency through daily language immersion.
- Access to specialised programmes in arts, sciences, and sports.
- Strong support systems, including language help and counselling.
- Pathway to top universities in the UK and abroad.
- Better career opportunities with internationally recognised education.
- Global networking with peers from diverse backgrounds.
- Personal growth in independence, confidence, and maturity.
- Visa flexibility for continued education or training after school.
Tips for Choosing a UK Independent School (Child Student Visa)
Here are some tips to choose the right school in the UK.
- Check Accreditation & Reports
- Look for accreditation from ISC or ISI
- Read inspection reports for quality and performance insights
- Review the Curriculum
- Ensure it follows the National Curriculum, IB, or Cambridge system
- Match the curriculum with the child’s background and future goals
- Evaluate Location & Facilities
- Consider climate, accessibility, and proximity to cities
- Look for strong academic, sports, and creative facilities
- Explore Extracurricular Options
- Choose schools with diverse activities that align with the child’s interests
- Check Academic Results
- Review GCSE/A-level performance as an indicator of school quality
- Visit If Possible
- Observe the school environment and speak with staff to assess student support
Importance of Accreditation & Standards
- UK independent schools offer high-quality, balanced education.
- Focus on academic excellence and skills like creativity, critical thinking, and independence.
- Regular assessments (GCSEs, A-Levels) are globally recognised.
- Accreditation by ISI/SIS ensures consistent standards in teaching, care, and governance.
Pro Tip
Always select a school that’s licensed to sponsor Child Student visas and is inspected by bodies like ISI or Ofsted; this is non-negotiable.
Legal Guardians for Student
To guarantee the safety and compliance with UK regulations of young international students coming to study in the UK on a Child Student Visa, specific regulations governing legal guardianship apply.
Guardian Requirement
- All international students under 18 must have a UK-based legal guardian
- Guardian is responsible for the child’s welfare while in the UK
Guardian’s Role
- Acts as emergency contact and makes key decisions (e.g., medical, travel)
- Supports school applications and communication with overseas parents
Choosing a Guardian
- Can be a relative, family friend, or accredited professional guardian
- Must be properly vetted; agencies often accredited by AEGIS
Required Documentation
- Parents must provide written consent naming the guardian and their responsibilities
- This consent is part of the visa application process
FAQs About Child Student Visa
When applying for a Child Student Visa from outside the UK, the processing time is usually around three weeks. It might take up to eight weeks if you’re applying from inside the UK.
You must show that you have enough money to pay for your education and living expenses in the UK in order to get a Child Student Visa. The fee varies depending on where you study and whether you are studying in or outside of London.
As a general rule, you’ll have to prove your financial stability for the whole nine months of your program.
The cost to apply for a Child Student Visa is £524. In addition, there is an annual Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776.
Children studying in the UK on a Child Student Visa are allowed to work, but there are specific conditions.
If the child is 16 or older, they can work up to 10 hours per week during school term time and full-time during holidays, as per GOV.UK guidelines. They’re also permitted to take part in a work placement if it’s part of their course, provided it doesn’t make up more than half of the total course duration.
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