If you are the parent of a non-UK national who is looking to enroll your child in a British school, you will likely consider having them apply for a Child Student Visa. Previously referred to as the Child Tier 4 Visa, the new Child Student visa is available to foreign minors seeking to immigrate to the UK for the purpose of studying at an educational institution in the country, and is available to eligible candidates who apply on time and fulfill the rest of the visa’s specific age, financial, and other requirements. Today’s blog will provide an overview of this visa category by answering commonly-asked questions such as; “Who can apply for Child Student visa?” and “How do I Switch to a Child Student visa?” In addition, readers will learn other essential information, including when to apply for the Child Student visa, Child Student visa fees, and how to obtain a study permit for a dependent child.
Who can apply for Child Student Visa?
- Applicants who fulfill the following conditions are eligible for a “Child Student Visa” (previously known as the Child Tier 4 visa):
- Applicants must be no younger than four and no older than 17.
- Applicants must receive the written permission of their mother or father (or the person legally responsible for them) to attend school in the country.
- Applicants must have been accepted into a specific program at a school that is characterized as “independent,” and this acceptance must be unconditional (all of which is demonstrated by the applicant’s receipt of a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)—an essential document granted by the school you seek enrollment in).
- Applicants must prove that they (or their parent/guardian) can afford their costs of living in the country, as well as their specific school fees. The specific amount of funds you must show evidence of possessing will depend on your living situation:
- For those who are age 16-17 and living alone:
- Child Student visa holder needs to present evidence that they can afford their tuition, for a maximum period of 9 months (the length of the school year).
- A minor who is at school in London must demonstrate that they can afford £1,334 monthly costs, for a maximum period of 9 months.
- A minor who is at school outside of London must demonstrate that they can afford £1,023 monthly costs, for a maximum period of 9 months.
- For those attending a boarding school:
- Child needs to present evidence that they can afford the cost of their living (boarding) at the school, in addition to their tuition, for a maximum period of 9 months (the length of the school year).
- For those residing with a mother, father, or legal guardian:
- Child must demonstrate that they can afford £1,560 monthly costs, for a maximum period of 9 months.
- Child needs to present evidence that they can afford their tuition, for a maximum period of 9 months (the length of the school year).
- For those residing with a (non-parent) family member or foster parent
- Child needs to present evidence that they can afford their tuition, for a maximum period of 9 months (the length of the school year).
- The adult responsible for the Child Student visa holder must demonstrate that they can afford £570 monthly costs, for a maximum period of 9 months.
- Please note that you (or the Child Student visa holder) must demonstrate possession of all monies for a period 28 days in a row.
- Certain applicants, such as those from countries on the “differential requirement list,” as well as those who have been living for at least a year in country on a visa (right before they apply to switch into the Child Student visa category) are exempt from the financial evidence requirement.
What is the Child Student Visa validity period?
- If your son or daughter receives a Child Student visa, he or she will be able to remain in the country for either a maximum of 3 years (+4 months), or a maximum of 6 years (+4 months), depending on whether they are between the ages of 16-17, or 15 and under, respectively.
- Please note that certain holders of a Child Student visa have the option of extending their visa for the purposes of completing their education in the country.
When to apply for a Child Student Visa
- The processing time for most Child Student visas is three or eight weeks, depending on whether you submitted your application while abroad, or from within the country, respectively. Depending on where you will physically be when you submit your application, therefore, you should apply at least three weeks or eight weeks before you attempt to enter the UK.
- When you can apply relates to when your program starts, and the time frame is different for those applying from abroad verses domestically. If you plan to submit your application for a Child Student visa while abroad, you may do so six months prior (and not before) to the date your program begins; if you plan to submit your application for a Child Student visa while living in the country, you may do so three months prior (and not before) to the date your program begins.
- If you are applying while in the country, you are presumably living there on another valid UK visa, in which case you will be applying to switch into the Child Student visa category. In this case, you must have submitted your application prior to the expiration of the visa you are switching from. Additionally, the educational program you intend to enroll in needs to start no later than 28 days from when that visa expires.
- Please note that you must be in possession of your official visa in order to enter the country—simply presenting evidence of your acceptance at the UK border will not be enough to allow you entry. Because of this, you should make sure that you apply so that you will have received your visa well before you need to enter the country. Additionally, even if you get your visa well before your program starts, your entry to the country is restricted until a month prior to when your program begins.
Child Student Visa Fees
- The cost of a Child Student visa is £348 for those applying from abroad.
- If you are applying from within the country (i.e. you are either extending a current Child Student visa or switching into the visa category) you will be charged £475.
- Please keep in mind that this price does not include other fees related to the Health Surcharge (which can cost upwards of £1000 GBP for certain applicants) and the cost of biometric data collection (typically £19.20).
Switch to a Child Student Visa
- If you are on another valid UK visa, you may be allowed to switch to a Child Student visa, provided you meet the specific age, financial and scholastic eligibility requirements outline above.
- Those who are on a Short-Term Student visa or a Visitor visa, as well as those who are considered “outside of the immigration rules,” are exempt from switching into the Child Student visa category.
- Please note that those who are switching into the Child Student visa category (and who are therefore applying from within the country) should not journey abroad while their application is pending, as doing so could jeopardize their application.
How to apply for the Child Student Visa
- The application process for the Child Student visa is almost entirely online. Applicants will upload their required documents, submit their photos and fingerprints (biometric date), and pay their visa fees.
- Those who already have certain types of biometric IDs can simply download the official UK immigration App called ID Check to have their biometric information scanned. Alternatively, you may have to go in person to a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) destination in order to have your photo and fingerprints collected. Additionally, please note that certain applicants (especially older applicants age 16-17) may be asked to show up for an in-person interview.
- Those who are approved for a Child Student visa will receive a biometric residence permit or a digital immigration status, depending on whether they uploaded their ID information via UKVCAS or through the UK Immigration ID App.
- Keep in mind that Child Student visa holders are unable to work, receive UK welfare, pursue permanent settlement, or have relatives join them in the country as dependents.
- However, if you are age 16-17, you can work full time during school breaks, and up to 10 hours a week while school is in session.
- If you are older than 17, you will have aged out of the Child Student visa category, and therefore should pursue a Student visa.
- Those who are eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme (Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic, Liechtensteiner, or EU citizens—and their immediate relatives—who were residing in Britain prior to January 2021) may be exempt from visa requirements normally affecting foreigners looking to attend school in the country. If you think you (or a relative) are exempt from needing a Child Student visa due to your qualification for the EU Settlement Scheme, contact us here.
- For information about how to receive a study permit for a dependent child, contact us here.
Asaad