Child Student Visa

Child Student Visa

What is Child Student Visa?

The new Child Student Visa is for children aged between 4 and 17 years old who wish to come to the UK to receive an education at one of its many independent schools. This visa type was introduced by the government as a replacement for the Tier 4 Child visa.

To apply for this visa, you must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course at an independent school and demonstrate the ability to support yourself financially in the UK, covering both your course fees and living expenses. Additionally, consent from your parent or guardian is essential when applying for this visa.

Eligibility requirements for a Child Student Visa

  • Designed for individuals aged 4 – 17 who intend to study in the UK
  • Require an unconditional offer of a place at an independent school and parental/guardian consent
  • Demands the ability to financially support your course fees and living expenses. Note that you may not need to provide proof of financial support if you are from a listed ‘differential evidence requirement’ country.
  • Allows the student to be accompanied by one parent or guardian (please see Parent of a Child Student Visa).
  • Typically valid for the duration of the course, plus an additional 4 months.
  • While there is no fixed path to settlement, it is possible if applicants meet specific conditions.
  • Applicants from designated countries need to provide tuberculosis test results.

Course requirements

To be eligible for this visa, you must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Child Student sponsor. Your education provider will issue a reference number (CAS) once they have offered you a place on the course.

You can enroll in a course at an independent school that follows one of these standards:

  • the national curriculum.
  • the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at level 3 or below.
  • independent school education inspection standards.
  • a course that is accepted as being at the same academic level by:
    1. Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
    2. Education Scotland.
    3. Estyn (in Wales).
    4. Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland).

Additionally, you can take a short ‘pre-sessional’ course to prepare for your main course.

Ref: https://www.gov.uk/child-study-visa

To give your case the best chance of success, get in touch

To give your visa the best chance of success, and to reduce your stress, please contact our immigration experts.

If you wish to speak directly with one of our immigration specialists to get advice about business and personal immigration, or education in the UK and other visa issues, then please contact our Glasgow Head Office on Phone T: +44 (0)141 212 3355 or request a call back by completing the Online Form. You can also email us at enquiries@lattainternational.com. More information can be found from Contact Us.  

*Disclaimer: The above information is for general reference only. Specialist legal advice should be sought.

Latest update: August 2023