CHILD STUDENT VISA

To be able to apply for a Child Student visa, you must:

• have an unconditional offer of a place on a course at an independent school
• be able to show you’ll have access to enough money to support you in the UK and pay for your course
• have the consent of your parent or guardian to study in the UK – you’ll need to prove this when you apply

If you’re 18 or over, apply for a Student visa instead.

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 they’ve 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 that’s taught in line with one of the following:

• the national curriculum
• the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at level 3 or below
• independent school education inspection standards

You can also do a course that’s accepted as being at the same academic level by:

• Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
• Education Scotland
• Estyn (in Wales)
• Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland)

You can do a short ‘pre-sessional’ 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.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

You must have been accepted on to a course in the UK with an unconditional offer and have been provided with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from your education provider. Once you have been issued CAS, you must apply for your Student visa within 6 months.

Maintenance

You’ll need to show you have sufficient funds for your maintenance on the UK.

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

If you’ll live with your parent or guardian

Your parent must have a Parent of a Child Student visa to accompany you to the UK. If you’re over 12 your parent will not be eligible, unless you have a younger sibling who’s 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).

You’ll also need £1,560 per month (for up to 9 months) – this amount is for both you and your parent.

Your parent will need an extra £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 you’re 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 you’ll 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 £570 per month (for up to 9 months).

Your foster carer or close relative must be a British citizen or be settled (have ‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK. They cannot be your parent.

If you’re 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).

• You’ll also need either:
• £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) if you’re studying in London
• £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) if you’re studying outside of London

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.

Parental Consent

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

• your visa application
• your living arrangements and care in the UK
• your travel to the UK
• If you’re living with a close relative or foster career, you’ll need to provide additional evidence

Other requirements

If you are applying from outside the UK, you may need to obtain a tuberculosis test certificate, unless you are applying from an exempt country.