The British Government has dropped the Tier 4 (Child) Student visa, replacing it with the Child Student visa. This guide includes the application requirements, how to apply, and the visa that could allow you to join your child in the UK.
For help with applying for the Child Student visa and the Parent of a Child Student visa, please contact Immigration Advice Service or visit our website to learn more about our services.
Child Student Visa Application Requirements
The Child Student visa is open to children who are not nationals of the UK or Ireland. They must have an unconditional offer from a British-based independent school, and you must provide evidence that you can pay for your child’s course and support them while they are in the UK. You will also need to provide written permission for them to study in the UK.
The length that your child can stay in the UK will depend on how old they are. Individuals under 16 can stay in the UK for a course up to six years long, plus four months after the course’s end. This reduces to three years for 16 and 17-year-old visa holders.
Other common requirements to successfully apply for the Child Student visa are detailed below:
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) has been issued.
- The child has not previously breached UK visa rules.
- The child has a good standard of English language skills.
- The child is sufficiently qualified to study at the desired level and school.
- The child will return to their home country once their course is finished.
Child Student Visa Application Process
To successfully obtain a Child Student visa, you will need to complete the full application process on their behalf. You can begin the process six months in advance of the course’s start date when applying from outside the UK, or three months for applications from within the UK. Follow the process detailed below:
- Apply to a British independent school that can sponsor foreign students.
- Receive an unconditional offer and request a CAS number.
- Download and complete the online application form from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
- Submit your application and supporting documents. Pay the application fee, currently £524, and pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Book and accompany your child to a biometric appointment at a visa application centre. They will have their fingerprints and biometric photographs taken.
- Wait for a decision on your child’s application. This usually takes around three weeks for applications made outside the UK and eight weeks for applications made inside the UK.
Please note that, in some circumstances, your child may need to attend a visa appointment if Home Office officials have questions about their visa application.
Required Documentation for a Child Student Visa
A central part of any UK visa application is providing documentation that comprehensively proves that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements. The exact documentation needed may change depending on your child’s circumstances. However, documents that you can usually expect to be required include the following:
- A valid passport.
- A CAS issued by the independent school.
- Written consent from a parent or guardian.
- A letter from a foster carer, close relative, or nominated guardian, if that is who your child will be living with.
- Tuberculosis test results if your child is coming from a high-risk country.
- Written consent from a financial sponsor if somebody is funding your child’s studies.
- Evidence that your child holds any qualifications required by the independent school.
- Proof of your relationship with your child, such as a birth certificate. You must be their parent or legal guardian.
You will also need to show that you have sufficient funds to support your child while they are in the UK, for example, by providing bank statements. If your child will be resident at a boarding school, you will need to have sufficient funds for a full academic year of course fees and boarding fees. That declines to just a year of course fees if your child will be staying with a foster carer, close relative, parent, or legal guardian.
Getting a Parent of a Child Student Visa
The Parent of a Child Student visa allows you to come to the UK to support your child while they are studying in the country. Only one parent can accompany the child, who must be under eleven years old.
You will also have extremely limited rights in the UK while in the country on a Parent of a Child Student visa, with no ability to study, start a business, work, bring other dependents with you to the UK, or apply for benefits. This is because you won’t be able to make the UK your primary country of residence.
You usually cannot remain in the UK once they turn twelve years old. However, it remains your responsibility to ensure they have access to adequate care once you return to your country of origin.
How Can Immigration Advice Service Help?
The UK is home to some fantastic international schools that are popular among international students. Examples include Eton College, Mill Hill International, and St Paul’s School. However, alongside the strict admissions requirements for these institutions, you will also need to successfully apply for the Child Student visa. Moreover, you will need a Parent of a Child visa to give additional support to your child under 11 who is coming to the UK.
At Immigration Advice Service, our expert team of immigration lawyers and advisers can help you to understand if you and your child are eligible and rapidly obtain these visas. We can guide you through the entire application process, including making sure that all of your child’s documentation is in order.
Call Immigration Advice Service today for help with your child’s application. You can also use our website to learn about the range of immigration services we offer for children and adults alike.