Child Student Visa
Key Requirements:
- Be between 4 and 17 years old.
- Have an unconditional offer of a place at an independent school.
- Show that you have access to sufficient funds to support yourself and pay
for your course. - Provide written consent from your parent or legal guardian to study in the
UK.
When to Apply
- From outside the UK: Apply up to 6 months before your course starts. You’ll usually receive a decision within 3 weeks.
- From inside the UK: Apply up to 3 months before your course begins and before your current visa expires. A decision will usually be made within 8 weeks.
Length of Stay
- If you are under 16: You can stay for the length of the course (up to 6 years) plus 4 months.
- If you are 16 or 17: You can stay for the length of the course (up to 3 years) plus 4 months.
Application Fees
- Applying from outside the UK: £490.
- Extending or switching within the UK: £490.
What You Can and Cannot Do
You can:
- Study at an independent school.
- If you’re 16 or over, work part-time during term (up to 10 hours per week) and full-time during vacations or on a work placement as part of your course (up to 50%).
You cannot:
- Study at an academy, a local authority-funded school, or a further/higher education institution.
- Get public funds (benefits).
- Take a full-time permanent job or be self-employed.
- Apply for settlement or bring family members (your parent will need to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa if they wish to accompany you).
FAQs
You can apply for a Child Student visa up to 6 months before your course begins if you are applying from outside the UK. Typically, a decision is made within 3 weeks.
If you are already in the UK, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts. Ensure you apply before your current visa expires and that your new course begins within 28 days after your current visa ends. Decisions usually take about 8 weeks.
The duration of your stay depends on your age at the time of application and the length of your course. If you're under 16, you can stay for the length of your course plus an additional 4 months. If you're 16 or 17, the same applies for courses up to 3 years in length.
Yes, you can arrive in the UK up to 1 month before your course starts, but not before the start date listed on your visa.
You may be eligible to extend your Child Student visa or switch to a Child Student visa from another type if you meet the criteria.
It costs £490 to apply for or extend a Child Student visa either from outside or inside the UK. Additionally, you'll need to pay the healthcare surcharge, which varies based on the length of your visa.
With a Child Student visa, you can study at an independent school. If you are 16 or over, you may work part-time during term (up to 10 hours per week), full-time during vacations, and participate in work placements as part of your course (up to 50% of your course time).
You cannot study at public schools or further education colleges, access public funds, take a permanent full-time job, work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, apply for settlement, or bring dependants to the UK.
You must provide evidence of an unconditional offer from a licensed Child Student sponsor, proof of sufficient funds to support your stay and pay for your course, and written parental consent if you're under 18.
The financial requirement depends on your living arrangements in the UK. For personal students, the amount varies whether you are in London or outside, ranging from £1,023 to £1,334 per month.
You'll need a valid passport, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), written parental consent, and possibly proof of financial means, relationship documents, and your tuberculosis test results depending on your circumstances.
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