An overview for child students aged between 4 and 17 years old and will consider the importance of educational guardianship.
What are the requirements?
To make a successful application, you must achieve at least 70 points on the points-based immigration system:
- Eligible course – 10 points
- Eligible independent school – 10 points
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) – 10 points
- Aged between 4 and 17 years old – 10 points
- Parental consent – 10 points
- 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).
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.
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been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused and the education institution must not have withdrawn its offer.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.
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.
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.
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. A full list of countries can be found here.
To find out how much funds you need to have, and the types of support required, please read the full article here.
Burness Paull's specialist immigration lawyers are at hand to answer your and your client's questions and help prepare a successful Child Student visa application. Get in touch to speak to one of the team.
