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Pathway

UK Child Student Visa

United Kingdom Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

The UK Child Student visa is for children aged 4 to 17 who have an unconditional offer from an independent school that is a licensed Child Student sponsor, with parental consent and enough funds.

Age
4 to 17
School
Licensed independent school
Documents and support
School-issued Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, parental consent, school fees, and living costs

Summary

This is a UK study route for children attending independent schools. It requires age 4 to 17, a place at a licensed independent school, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, parental consent, and funds for fees and living costs.

School sponsorship and care arrangements must fit together
  1. Confirm the independent school Check the school's Child Student sponsorship and the child's qualifying place.
  2. Obtain and check the CAS Review the course dates and use the sponsorship record within its permitted window.
  3. Prepare care and finance evidence Document parental consent, living arrangements, identity, fees, and the applicable maintenance calculation.
  4. Complete the visa process After grant, maintain the child's UKVI account and follow the permission conditions.

The route is for eligible children aged 4 to 17 at a licensed independent school. An accompanying parent's permission is a separate route.

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Eligibility

The school must issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which you must use within six months. The child needs suitable care and housing, written consent from each parent or legal guardian, and enough money for school fees and living costs.

The living-cost amounts, for up to nine months, depend on the arrangements:

You normally must hold the required funds for 28 days, with that period ending no more than 31 days before the application.

The visa fee is £558 plus the immigration health surcharge. A child under 16 can receive permission for the course up to six years plus four months; a 16- or 17-year-old for up to three years plus four months. Permission can be extended while eligible.

What This Route Allows

The child may study at the named independent-school sponsor. A student aged 16 or 17 may normally work up to 10 hours a week in term, full-time in vacations, on an approved work placement, or as a student-union sabbatical officer. Work is not permitted below age 16.

A parent of a child aged 4 to 11 may separately qualify for the Parent of a Child Student route. That is not dependent status and has strict work and duration limits.

What This Route Is Not

It does not lead directly to settlement and does not allow dependent partners or children. The student cannot be self-employed, work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, take a permanent full-time vacancy, or claim public funds. Turning 18 does not automatically extend the route; Student permission may be needed for later study.

Next Steps

  1. Verify the school and “Child Student” route on the sponsor register before paying deposits.
  2. Check the CAS course dates and permitted maximum stay.
  3. Prepare parental consent, birth/custody records, housing and exact financial evidence.
  4. After grant, maintain the child's UKVI account and linked passport and recheck work conditions shown on the eVisa.

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Sources