Child Student Visa
The Child Student visa is suitable for children aged between 4 and 17 who wish to study at an independent school in the UK. The school must be a Home Office approved student sponsor.
If you are 18 or over and wish to study a further or higher education course in the UK, you should apply for a Student visa instead. If you are aged 16 or 17 and want to study a Regulated Qualifications Framework course at Level 3 or above, you can apply as either a Child Student at an independent school or as a Student.
CHILD STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for a Child Student visa, you will need to satisfy the following criteria:
• You are aged between 4 and 17;
• You have been offered an unconditional place on an approved course of study at an independent school holding a valid student sponsor licence;
• You have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course without relying on public funds;
• You have the consent of your parent(s) or legal guardian;
Course Requirements
You can apply for a visa to study one of the following courses:
• A course taught in accordance with the National Curriculum; or
• A course taught in accordance with the Recognised Qualification Framework (RQF) that 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 that is accepted as being of equivalent academic status to the above courses by Ofsted (England), the Education and Training Inspectorate (Northern Ireland), Education Scotland (Scotland) or Estyn (Wales); or
• A course taught in accordance with prevailing Independent School education inspection standards.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Once you have been offered an unconditional place on a course of study, your education provider will send you a CAS reference number. You must apply for your Student Visa within six months of receiving your CAS. You cannot use a Confirmation of Acceptance used in a previous application regardless of whether it was successful or rejected. The education institution must not have withdrawn its offer.
Financial Requirement
You will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that you have sufficient funds to pay your course fees and support yourself financially in the UK.
Course Fees
Unless you fall within one of the special categories listed below, you will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to pay any outstanding course fees for one academic year.
Living Costs
Unless you fall within one of the special categories listed below, you will need to demonstrate that you can meet your living costs in the UK.
The amount you will need will depend on your living arrangements:
• Boarding at a residential independent school: applicant must have boarding fees for one academic year;
• Term-time private foster carer or close relative who is British or has ILR: carer or relative must have funds of at least £570 per month for each month of the course up to a maximum of 9 months;
• Living with parent/guardian who has a Parent of a Child Student Visa: applicant must have £1,560 per month for each month of the course up to a maximum of 9 months, plus £625 per child per month of the course up to a maximum of 9 months, for any additional children accompanying the parent;
• If you are aged 16-17 and live independently whilst studying in London, you must have £1,334 for each month of the course up to a maximum of 9 months. If you are studying outside London, you must have £1,023 per month of the course up to a maximum of 9 months.
You will need to have held the money for at least 28 consecutive days ending not more than 31 days before the date of your Child Student Visa application.
Tuberculosis Test
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.
Most immigration applications have strict factual and evidential requirements that are not necessarily straightforward to comprehend or satisfy. LS Legal Solicitors are well versed and highly experienced in providing advice and assistance on immigration applications. We appreciate that many of the requirements may seem overly complex and onerous. However, we guarantee to make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.
For the quickest response, please WhatsApp or call us on +44 (0) 75 3595 9450. You can also contact us via email at info@LSLegaLUK.com or use the contact form to discuss your requirements further or arrange an appointment with one of our experts.
