Overview
The Child Student visa UK is a great opportunity for children to obtain a first class education in the United Kingdom. The UK is known for its high level of education which is recognised worldwide. The school year will also vary depending on country and council, but the most common is September through to July. A parent or guardian can also live in the UK until the child is 12 years old.
Who Qualifies?
English speakers who are aged between 4 and 17 years old who want to study in the UK, this must be an independent school.
How Long Can You Stay?
Up to 6 years, usually the course length plus 4 months afterwards.
Processing Time?
After you have submitted your online application, proved your identity and provided the relevant documents, 90% of applicants are processed within 3 weeks.
Cost?
£524
Eligibility for Child Student Visa UK
In order to qualify for this visa you must meet several minimum requirements.
- Aged between 4 and 17 years old
- Study an approved course with a licensed student sponsor ( e.g. independent school)
- Evidence that the applicant is supported financially
- Speak, read, write and understand English to a minimum standard
Occupations for Child Student Visa UK
The Child Student visa allows over 16’s to work including voluntary.
The maximum amount of hours you can work is 10 hours per week. Although, Students are allowed to work full time during vacation periods outlined by the school.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
You must prove that you can speak, read, write and understand English. To do this, you must pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT).
Firstly, if you are a citizen of any of the below nations you are exempt from SELT.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
Students are also exempt if you achieved a bachelor’s degree or higher in an English taught course.
Certification Provider
The International English Language Test (IELTS) is designed to help you work, study or migrate to the UK.
Your ability to listen, read, write and speak in English will be assessed during the test. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9.
You will be required to achieve at least 7.0 overall for this visa and in each category, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.
Child Student Visa UK Cost
You must have sufficient funds when applying for the Child Student Visa, the total minimum costs will vary depending on your circumstances.
Application & Course Fee
The application fee for the visa is £524.
The first academic year will need to be paid when applying for this visa, the average course fee for international students is £6000 per term.
Healthcare
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) entitles you to use the NHS if you become unwell or have an accident while in the UK.
You have to pay the IHS even if you do not use the NHS or even if you have your own private health insurance, the cost is £1,035 per year.
If you are applying for a 2-year visa you will have to pay £1,035 each year, therefore you will have to pay a total of £2,070.
Sufficient Funds
You must prove you will have a minimum income to support yourself, but this depends on the circumstances of the applicant.
- If you will live with a parent on the Parent of a Child Student Visa, the minimum monthly income required is £1560 to cover both applicants.
- If you will be living with a close relative who is settled in the UK, the minimum monthly income is £570.
- If you are attending boarding school, only the boarding fees are required.
- If the applicant is over 16, the minimum monthly income required is £1334 within London or £1023 outside London.
The financial requirement is that you show you have enough money for your living costs for yourself and dependants while you move to the UK.
You do not need to show funds it you have been living in the UK for 12 months or from the below list of countries.
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Croatia
- Republic of Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- The Dominican Republic
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- United Arab Emirates
- United States of America
Documentation required for Child Student Visa UK
You must bring relevant documentation that will require some preparation before arriving in the UK. Although, This will vary depending on your occupation, nationality and length of stay.
- Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Proof of your knowledge of English
- A valid passport for the entirety of the visa
- Bank statement proving sufficient funds
- Written consent from your parent or legal guarding to study in the UK
- Evidence of qualifications
Identity
For most applicants you must prove your identity by booking an appointment at a Visa Application Centre in your current country. The appointment will include collecting your fingerprints, facial photograph and signature. The UK government website has a list of addresses for each eligible country.
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