If a parent wants to send their child to a British school, going through the immigration process may look difficult to them. The Child Student visa scheme in the UK guides kids aged 4 to 17 to study at approved independent schools in the country. The article explains in plain language what families must do to start, how to apply and what they can expect when living in a home for international students.
Who is the Child Student Visa For?
This type of visa is made for young learners aged 4 to 17 who want to go to an independent school in the United Kingdom. chopily, for the school to recruit overseas students it must hold a current “Student Sponsor” license as given by the UK government.
Most pupils following this route are not able to go to state schools; only a few grammar schools in Northern Ireland may offer boarding.
The Basics: Age, Application, and Acceptance
- Age: The applicant should be between 4 and 17 on the date they ask for the visa.
- Having a CAS is Necessary: A “Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies” (CAS) from the independent school sponsor should be obtained before applying. They need this reference number – it proves that the school gave them an offer of a place. No more than 6 months before applying for an entry clearance from abroad should pass since the CAS was given to you.
- You should apply by creating an account on the UK government website (gov.uk). Applicants from outside the UK use “Child Student visa”; those already present in the UK use “Child Student” forms.
- An application for a UK visa involves paying the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), submitting biometrics (photos and fingerprints) as needed and showing a valid passport. Not proving every one of these may lead to the application being denied before careful evaluation.
- For recent Scholars: If a government or international company provided a full scholarship for the child (covering all costs) within one year, written permission from the sponsor is needed for visa processing.
- To apply from UK: The child should be already in the UK on the day of the application and have entered under a different type of visa than Visitor, Short-term Student or Immigration outside the standard Rules.
Ensuring Safety: Care and Guardianship
Protecting the child’s welfare is paramount. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) decision-maker must be satisfied that appropriate care, living, and guardianship arrangements are in place for the child’s entire stay. This involves:
- Living Arrangements: The child must enter one of these approved setups:
- Full Boarding: Living at the school during term time. Holidays must be spent with a British citizen/settled person acting as a nominated guardian (max 28 days), private foster carer, or close relative.
- Weekly Boarding: At school during the week, weekends and holidays with a private foster carer or close relative (who is British/settled).
- Flexi Boarding: A mix of school boarding and staying with a private foster carer or close relative (British/settled).
- Living with Carer/Relative: Full-time with a private foster carer or close relative who is British/settled.
- Living with Parent/Legal Guardian: With a parent/guardian who holds a “Parent of a Child Student” visa.
- Living Independently: Only for those aged 16 or 17. Requires significant proof of maturity and suitable arrangements.
- Guardian Requirements: If the child lives with a nominated guardian, close relative, or private foster carer (appointed by the parents/school/legal guardian), that carer must be either a British citizen or settled in the UK.
- The Letter of Undertaking: The intended carer must provide a detailed letter confirming:
- Their identity, address, and contact details.
- The UK address where the child will live.
- Confirmation it’s a private home (not a hotel/hostel).
- Their relationship to the child’s parents/guardian.
- Agreement to the care arrangements.
- Details of anyone else they support or who lives with them regularly.
- If not boarding full-time, confirmation they have at least £570 per month (up to 9 months) to support the child.
- Their signature and the date.
- Private Foster Care (Under 16s): Additional steps are needed: parents/guardians/carers must notify the UK local authority, and the application must include proof of this notification and the local authority’s confirmation/receipt.
- Guardian Background Checks: The visa will be refused if the nominated carer (or anyone regularly living with them) has:
- Received a custodial sentence of 12+ months.
- Is a persistent offender showing disregard for the law.
- Committed offences causing serious harm.
- The application may also be refused for lesser convictions or non-custodial sentences/out-of-court disposals.
Meeting the Points Requirement (70 Points Total)
The Child Student visa operates on a points-based system. Applicants need 70 points:
- Study (50 Points): Awarded for:
- Having a valid CAS from a licensed independent school.
- The course meeting specific UK curriculum or qualification framework standards.
- Being aged 4-17 at application.
- Meeting the parental consent requirement.
- Financial (20 Points): Awarded for meeting the financial requirement (see below).
Show Me The Money: The Financial Requirement
- Simplified for Long-Stayers: Children applying to extend their stay who have already been in the UK for 12 months or more don’t need to show funds again.
- New Applicants/Short Stayers: Those applying from abroad or who’ve been in the UK less than 12 months must prove they have enough money. The exact amount depends entirely on their living arrangements (as defined above) and whether they are boarding:
- Boarding (Full, Weekly, Flexi): Must show funds to cover outstanding course fees + boarding fees for the first academic year.
- Living with Private Foster Carer/Close Relative: Must show funds for outstanding course fees and proof the carer has at least £570 per month (up to 9 months) for support/accommodation.
- Living with Parent (on Parent Visa): Must show funds for outstanding course fees and either £1,560/month (if no other children) or £625/month per additional child (up to 9 months).
- Aged 16/17 Living Independently: Must show funds for outstanding course fees and either £1,334/month (London) or £1,023/month (outside London) for living costs (up to 9 months).
- Holding the Funds: Generally, the required funds must have been held in an acceptable account for a continuous 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before the application date. Exceptions apply for official student loans or government scholarships.
- No Dependents: The child applicant cannot be financially responsible for anyone else.