Child Student Visa
Leader in resolving complex UK immigration And nationality law matters.
CHILD STUDENT VISA
The Child Student Visa category allows children aged between 4 and 17 to study at a Home Office approved independent school in the UK
A person aged 16 or 17 who wants to study a course at or above Regulated Qualifications Framework level 3 or Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 6, can choose either to apply as a Child Student at an independent school or as a Student under Appendix Student.
Requirements for a Child Student Visa
To qualify for a Child Student Visa, you must demonstrate that you meet the following requirements:
- You are aged between 4 and 17;
- You have received an unconditional place on an approved course of study at a Home Office approved independent school;
- You have sufficient funds to support yourself and pay for your course without recourse to public funds;
- You have obtained the consent of your parent(s) or legal guardian;
The specific requirements, that may be applicable to you, will differ depending on your circumstances. You may wish to seek expert advice from an immigration lawyer.
If you wish to apply for a Child Student Visa, speak to one of our specialised immigration lawyers for expert advice by completing our “Enquiry Form”.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies requirement for a Child Student
After receiving an offer of a placement on an approved course of study at an independent school, you will receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from your education provider.
The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) must have been issued by a Home Office licenced independent school whose sponsor licence remains valid on the date on which your application for a Child Student Visa is decided.
The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies must not have been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused (but could have been relied upon in a previous application which was rejected as invalid, made void or withdrawn).
Your Home Office licenced independent school must not have withdrawn their offer after issuing the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies must confirm the cost of accommodation and course fees and indicate if any payments have been made in respect of those fees in advance.
Course requirement for a Child Student
The Child Student Visa application must be for a single course of study one of the following:
- A course of study taught in accordance with the National Curriculum;
- A course of study taught in accordance with the Recognised Qualification Framework (RQF), and is not a foundation course intended to prepare the Child Student for entry to a course provided by a higher education provider; or
- A course of study provided in accordance with prevailing Independent School education inspection standards.
Parental consent requirement for a Child Student
To qualify for a Child Student Visa, you must have written consent from either (i) both of your parents, (ii) one parent (if that parent has sole legal responsibility for you) or (iii) your legal guardian.
The written consent must confirm your parent(s) or legal guardian’s support for your application for a Child Student Visa, your living and care arrangements in the UK and if you’re applying for leave from outside the UK, your travel to and reception arrangements in the UK.
If you have elected to live with a close relative or foster carer in the UK, the relative or foster carer must be a British citizen or settled in the UK.
Additionally, your close relative or foster carer must provide an undertaking which contains the following information:
- the name, current address and contact details of the foster carer; and
- the address where you and the foster carer will be living in the UK, if different from the foster carer’s current address; and
- confirmation that your accommodation in the UK is a private address and is not operated as a commercial enterprise; and
- the nature of the relationship between your parent(s) or legal guardian and your foster carer; and
- Confirmation of the foster carer’s agreement to your care arrangements in the UK; and
- that the foster carer has at least £570 per month available to look after and accommodate you, for each month of the course up to a maximum of 9 months; and
- a list of any other people that the intended carer has offered to support; and
- the intended carer’s signature and date of the letter of undertaking.
Financial requirement for a Child Student
If you are applying for a Child Student Visa and you have been living in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months at the date of application, you will automatically meet the financial requirements and do not need to show funds.
If you have been in the UK for less than 12 months with valid leave to remain on the date of application, you must show the following funds:
| Living arrangements | Funds required |
| Boarding at a residential independent school | Sufficient funds to pay the outstanding course fees and boarding fees for one academic year |
| Living during term-time with a private foster carer or close relative who is a British Citizen or settled in the UK | Sufficient funds to pay the outstanding course fees for one academic year. The private foster carer or close relative must have funds of at least £570 per month for each month of the course up to the maximum of 9 months. |
| Living with a parent or legal guardian who has permission as a Parent of a Child Student. | Sufficient funds to pay the outstanding course fees for one academic year and: a. if no other children are or will be under the parent’s care in the UK at the same time as the applicant, £1,560 per month for each month of the course up to maximum of 9 months; and b. if there are other children who are or will be under the parent’s care in the UK at the same time as the applicant, £625 per month for each month of the course up to a maximum of 9 months for each child, other than the applicant, being cared for by the parent. |
| Aged 16 or 17 and living independently | Sufficient funds to pay the outstanding course fees for one academic year and either: a. £1334 for each month of the course up to a maximum of 9 months where studying in London; or b. £1023 for each month of the course up to a maximum of 9 months where studying outside London. |
If the length of your course of study includes a part of a month, the period of time will be rounded up to the next full month.
Unless you are relying on a student loan or an award from a Government or international scholarship agency to meet the financial requirements, you must show that you have held the required level of funds for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance. You also must not be financially responsible for anyone else.
How our lawyers can help you with your Child Student Visa Application
Our lawyers are specialists in UK immigration law with almost a decade of experience. We have assisted hundreds of Child Student Visa applicants to prepare and submit successful Child Student Visa applications.
Our immigration lawyers can provide you expert advice on meeting the requirements of the Immigration Rules, carry out a detailed assessment of your prospects of qualifying for a Child Student Visa and can assist you with the preparation and submission of your immigration application.
Our lawyers combine creative energy with deep technical legal expertise to uncover innovative, out-of-the-box and unconventional strategies that help you succeed in your application even when you’re facing inherent challenges in meeting the requirements of a Child Student Visa.
We do this by deploying the following:
- Taking a holistic approach to analysing every facet of each case and formulating strategies to comprehensively address every element of the case;
- Bringing deep technical and substantive legal expertise;
- Collaborative strategizing among specialist lawyers, who operate at different levels of seniority, bringing a wealth of technical expertise, tactical know-how and diversity of perspective on your matter;
- Using Design Thinking to reframe the challenges you face with a view to redefining value and opening up the scope of solutions;
- Designing customised strategy to meet your specific challenges.
What this means for you?
If you instruct us to take on your case, our scope of work will comprise of the following:
- Taking detailed instructions to carry out a thorough analysis of your case;
- Assessing your eligibility for a Child Student Visa in line with the requirements as set out in the Immigration Rules, the accompanying Policy Documents and the wider case-law jurisprudence;
- Notifying you of the strengths and weaknesses of your case;
- Advising you on strategies, where possible, to remedy the weaknesses in your case and better evidence the strengths of your case;
- Providing you detailed and customised advice on the documents you need to provide in support of your application;
- Reviewing your documents to assess whether they meet the evidential requirements of your application and to advise you if further documents are required;
- Drafting the application form to provide to you for review and, if required, amending the application in line with your observations;
- Preparing a detailed letter of representations to be submitted in support of your application;
- Submitting the application form online and arranging an appointment for the enrolment of your biometrics;
- Responding to any queries from the Home Office regarding your application
- Addressing any queries that you may have regarding your application and any issues arising relating to your immigration status;
- Corresponding with the UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) to ensure a timely decision on your application.
