The UK Child Student Visa route is for children aged between 4 and 17 who wish to study at an independent school or private school in the UK, which is a Home Office approved student sponsor.
The Child Student Visa is designed for children between 4 and 17 years old who aim to study at an independent school in the UK that is recognized by the Home Office as a student sponsor. If you’re over 18 and wish to pursue further or higher education, the Student Visa is more appropriate. For those aged 16 or 17 wanting to pursue a Level 3 or higher course, they have the option to apply as either a Child Student or a Student.
To be eligible, applicants must:
Eligible courses include:
You’ll receive a CAS reference number from your independent school, which should be used within 6 months for your visa application. The CAS includes details of your course, accommodation, fees, and payments made.
Applicants must prove they can afford course fees and living costs. This includes boarding fees for residential schools or maintenance costs if living independently or with a parent/guardian. The exact amount varies based on living arrangements and location (London or elsewhere in the UK).
Applicants who have been in the UK for 12 months or more, or are from certain specified countries, may be automatically considered to meet the financial requirements.
Applicants in this age group must demonstrate they are genuine students, with the Home Office assessing various factors including education history, course choice, and personal circumstances.
Switching is possible within the UK except from certain visa categories like Visitor or Short- term Student.
Apply up to 6 months before your course starts if outside the UK, or 3 months before if inside the UK. Your course should start within 28 days after your current leave expires.
Decisions are typically made within 3 weeks for applications outside the UK, and 8 weeks for those within the UK.
You can travel to the UK up to 1 month before your course starts, but no earlier than the start
date given on your visa.
The duration depends on your age and course length, generally allowing up to 6 years for under 16s and up to 3 years for 16 or 17-year-olds.
16 or 17-year-old Child Students may work up to 10 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations.
To extend your stay, you must be in the UK on a Child Student visa, aged 17 or under, have an unconditional offer with a licence Child Student sponsor, valid CAS and have enough funds to support yourself and pay for your course.
The Child Student route does not lead to settlement, but holders can switch to the Student route.
Our team specializes in assisting international child students with their UK educational journey, offering guidance on complex immigration rules and policies to ensure a smooth process.
The Statement of Changes to the UK Immigration Rules, known as HC 1333, was laid before Parliament on 14 October 2025 and introduces numerous significant updates across several visa categories, with varying commencement dates. The explanatory memorandum lists the main changes as being: Introduction of a visit visa requirement for nationals of Botswana Recognition of […]
The UK Global Talent Visa is one of the most attractive immigration routes for highly skilled individuals. Designed to bring world-class leaders and emerging talents in academia, research, digital technology, and arts and culture, this visa offers flexibility, independence, and a pathway to settlement. If you are considering applying, understanding the Global Talent Visa requirements […]
When parents separate or divorce, one of the biggest concerns is child contact and/or living arrangements—how children will continue to have meaningful relationships with both parents. If parents cannot agree, the family court can step in and issue a Child Arrangements Order. This guide explains the requirements for a Child Arrangement Order under UK Family […]
UK Family Visa allows you to bring family members (eligible foreign nationals) to join you in the UK for an extended period of 6 months or more. You can bring your spouse or partner, fiance or proposed civil partner, child, parent, or a relative to who you will provide long-term care.
The Global Business Mobility visa is an umbrella category of five different types of UK work visas. These visas are designed for employees of overseas companies to undertake specific types of work or assignments in the UK.
Our lawyers act for schools, colleges and universities across the world. We understand your context and are able to advise on any legal and regulatory matters, as well as international projects.
The UK Temporary Worker Visa is a work visa that permits you to work in the UK temporarily. The time you can stay in the UK for a Temporary Worker Visa varies depending on the category you apply for and ranges from 6 months to 2 years.
EEA nationals are required to obtain leave to enter or remain in order to visit or live in the UK. Unless a person is coming to the UK for a short visit, they will need to apply for a visa in advance of their arrival.
Whether you wish to recruit a foreign worker, establish a UK branch of an overseas company or effect an intra-company transfer, our immigration barristers can assist. Our expertise covers immigration routes for individual investors and entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses, as well as multinational companies.
Well versed in both the legal and technical languages of decentralized finance, our global team can support anyone wanting to navigate the fast-changing world of blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital assets.
Often people want to come to the UK to settle in the UK, without a specific idea as to what they want to do when they are here. In fact, our clients regularly ask us, what is the quickest way to settle in the UK?
With British citizenship you can apply for a British passport and you will be free of immigration control, allowing you to travel into and out of the UK freely without the need for a visa.
The UK Graduate visa allows international students to remain in the UK after completing their studies for up to two years, or three for doctoral graduates.
If your UK visa or immigration application has been refused, our immigration appeal lawyers can advise you on the merits of appealing to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), prepare your immigration appeal and represent you at your immigration appeal hearing.
Applications for leave to enter or remain in the UK can be made, in certain circumstances, on the basis that to require the individual to leave the UK or to not allow them entry into the UK would be a breach of the individual’s human rights.
Applications for leave to enter or remain in the UK can be made, in certain circumstances, on the basis that to require the individual to leave the UK or to not allow them entry into the UK would be a breach of the individual’s human rights.
The Hong Kong BN(O) route allows BN(O) status holders and certain family members to live, work and study in the UK. After 5 years, applicants will be able to apply for settlement, and after a further year, British citizenship, providing they meet the requirements.
Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.
Tailor your preferences to receive regular, relevant insights and updates. You can change your preferences and unsubscribe at any time.
@ Privity Legal 2024
