A parent/guardian checklist for children studying in the UK

In this insight, we will aim to provide an overview for child students aged between 4 and 17 years old and will consider the importance of educational guardianship.

The Child Student visa replaced the Tier 4 (Child) visa. The requirements of a Child Student visa are similar to a Student visa as both are part of the UK points-based immigration system.

Who can apply?

You can apply for a Child Student visa if you’re aged between 4 and 17 years old at the date of application and you want to study at an independent school in the UK. If you are under 16 you can stay for the duration of your course (up to 6 years) plus 4 months afterwards or the duration of your course (up to 3 years) plus 4 months afterwards if you are 16 or 17 years old.

You must apply online from either inside or outside the UK and pay the application fee:

• £363 (applying outside UK)
• £490 (applying inside UK)

You will usually receive a decision within 3 weeks if the application is made outside or within 8 weeks from inside the UK. You may be able to pay more to receive a decision quicker and will be told when you apply.

What are the requirements?

To make a successful application, you must achieve at least 70 points on the points-based immigration system:

1. Eligible course – 10 points
2. Eligible independent school – 10 points
3. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) – 10 points
4. Aged between 4 and 17 years old – 10 points
5. Parental consent – 10 points
6. Financial requirement – 20 points

1. Eligible course

You must have an unconditional offer to study a course that is taught in accordance with one of the following:

• the National Curriculum;
• the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at level 3 or below;
• independent school education inspection standards;
• 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).

10 points

2. Eligible independent school

Your unconditional offer must be from an independent school that is a licensed Child Student sponsor (most education institutions are). A list of licensed sponsor institutions is available here.

An independent school excludes an academy or local authority funded school or further or higher education institution.

10 points

3. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Once your education provider has offered you a place on a course, they will send you a reference number called a ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’ (CAS). This confirms you have met the course requirements.

You’ll need to enter this reference number on your visa application and apply within 6 months of receiving your CAS.

The CAS must not have been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused and the education institution must not have withdrawn its offer.

The CAS must also contain certain information including details of the course, accommodation costs, tuition fees and any payment already made.

10 points

4. Aged between 4 to 17 years

You must be aged between 4 to 17 years old at the date of application.

If you are aged 16 or 17 and want to study a course at or above Level 3 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework then you can apply as either a Child Student at an independent school or as a Student.

Further, if you are 16 or 17 you will need to satisfy the genuine student requirement. The Home Office will assess your immigration history, education history, course, where you want to study, reasons for studying in the UK, post study plans and your personal and financial circumstances to assess whether you are a genuine student.

If you are 18 or over and wish to study a further or higher education course in the UK then you should apply for a Student Visa instead.

10 points

5. Parental consent

You must provide written proof that your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) consent to you studying in the UK. They must also confirm your living arrangements and care while in the UK, and travel.

10 points

6. Financial requirement

You must show that you will have access to sufficient funds to support yourself in the UK and pay for your course. How much depends on where you will live and who will be looking after you.

You do not need to prove you have money to support yourself if:

• you’ve had a UK visa for 12 months prior to the date of your Child Student visa application; or
• you’re a British National (Overseas) or from a country listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement’. For example, USA, China, and Hong Kong. Full list of countries can be found here.

Living with a parent or legal guardian

• your parent must have a ‘Parent of a Child Student’ visa to accompany you to the UK;
• if you’re over 12, your parent will not be eligible unless you have a younger sibling who is under 12 and has a Child Student visa;
• you must be able to prove that you have enough money to pay for your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months) in addition to £1,560 per month (for up to 9 months) - this amount is for both you and your parent;
• your parent will need an extra £625 per month for each additional child they accompany to the UK. The child must be your sibling and have their own Child Student visa.

Living with a foster carer or close relative

• you must prove you have enough money to pay for your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months);
• your foster carer or close relative must prove that they have at least £570 per calendar month to support you (for up to 9 months);
• your foster carer or close relative must be a British citizen or settled (‘indefinite leave to remain’ or ‘settled status’) in the UK;
• they cannot be your parent.

Boarding school and guardianship

If you are under 16, you must have a guardian. Most schools will insist on guardianships for all students until they leave school.

An education guardian will act as a UK representative for your parents while you attend boarding school. The guardian can be a close relative, family friend or appointed through a guardianship agency. They will assist with various things such as general support, transport, attending school meetings, care if you’re unwell and accommodation during holiday periods.

Schools are not responsible for you during long holidays such as Easter or Christmas so you must be with your guardian or approved family member unless you are returning home.

Schools may have their own requirements but normally a guardian must be at least 25 years old and live within a reasonable travel distance to the school.

A guardian is not required to provide financial support and you must be able to prove that you have enough money to pay for your course and boarding fees for one academic year.

If you intend to live with your guardian for a period that exceeds 28 days, then this would be considered a private foster care agreement and would trigger the financial requirement as detailed in the previous section.

We would recommend carefully considering where you will stay for the holiday periods in advance of making your visa application.

If you’re 16 or 17 and living independently

You must have enough money to pay for your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months). You’ll also need either:

• £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) if you’re studying in London
• £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) if you’re studying outside of London

20 points

If your application is successful and you are 16 or over, you can work part-time during term time for up to 10 hours per week; full-time during holidays; and on work placements as part of your course. You will receive a full list of what you can and cannot do with your Child Student visa.

Our specialist immigration lawyers are at hand to answer your questions and help prepare a successful Child Student visa application. Get in touch to speak to one of the team.