Child Student Visa

This visa allows international students aged between 4 and 17 to study at an independent day or boarding school in the UK. If you are 18 year or over you shall apply for a Student visa instead. Prospective students must have an offer of a place from a licensed child student sponsor  and have the consent of their parent or guardian. The applicants must also have sufficient funds to cover the course fees and living costs in the UK.

If you are a national of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have applied to remain in the UK via the EU Settlement Scheme, you do not require a Child Student visa to study in the UK. Otherwise, you need visa to study in the UK.

Our solicitors can help with advising on the relevant visa requirements, completing the application form, reviewing necessary documents and other supporting evidence, and accompanying the process until your Child Student visa is issued.  

If your Child Student visa application has been refused you do not normally have a right to appeal the decision. Depending on your particular circumstances, you might be able to challenge the UK Visas and Immigration’s decision or to make a new visa application.  

If you decide to reapply, you shall address in the new visa application all reasons for your refusal, providing all missing information and relevant supporting evidence. If you choose to challenge the decision maker’s refusal of your visa, you may be able to make an application for Administrative Review if a mistake was made by the decision maker when issuing your visa refusal. 

The Child Student Visa allows children between the ages of 4 and 17 to study at an independent school in the UK. It replaced the Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa under the points-based immigration system.

To qualify, your child must have an unconditional offer of a place at an independent fee-paying school in the UK that holds a valid Student sponsor licence. The school will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number, which forms the basis of the visa application.

You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your child’s school fees and living costs. The required maintenance funds are calculated depending on whether your child will be boarding or studying on a day basis, and the part of the UK where the school is located.

Children under the age of 16 are generally expected to be accompanied by, or to live with, a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult who holds an appropriate visa. There are different rules for children who will be boarding at school.

The visa is normally granted for the duration of your child’s course, plus an additional period of up to one month at the end. It can be extended if the child continues into further study. Parents who wish to accompany their child may be eligible to apply for a Parent of a Child Student Visa.

At Terence Ray Solicitors, we understand that applying for a visa on behalf of your child can feel overwhelming. Our immigration team will guide you carefully through the requirements and help you build a complete and accurate application.

Call us on 020 3367 1430 or email info@trsolicitors.co.uk.