UK Child Student Visa 2026: Independent Schools, Fees & the Parent Visa
The Child Student visa allows children aged 4 to 17 from outside the UK to study at a licensed independent (private) school. Here is everything families need to know about eligibility, costs, and the Parent of a Child Student visa.
What is the Child Student visa?
The Child Student visa is the immigration route for children aged 4 to 17 from outside the UK who have been offered a place at a licensed independent (private) school. It replaced the Tier 4 (Child) student visa in October 2020 and, like all current UK visas, is fully digital — successful applicants receive an eVisa linked to a UKVI online account rather than a physical Biometric Residence Permit.
This visa is specifically for independent schools. Children who wish to attend a state-funded academy or local authority-maintained school cannot use this route. It is the responsibility of the school — not the applicant's family — to hold a valid student sponsor licence and to issue the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that forms the foundation of the application.
The Child Student visa does not lead to settlement. It is not a pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain in its own right. Children who reach 16 or 17 on this visa and wish to continue studying in the UK — including at sixth form level — may be able to switch to a Student visa at that point.
Students aged 16 or 17 who want to study at an independent school have a choice: they may apply for either the Child Student visa or the standard Student visa (if their course is at RQF Level 3 or above). The Student visa offers more flexibility, including the right to work up to 20 hours per week at degree level. Families should confirm with the school which route it sponsors before applying.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Child Student visa, your child must:
- Be aged between 4 and 17 at the time of application
- Hold an unconditional offer of a place at an independent school in the UK that holds a valid student sponsor licence, confirmed through a CAS reference number
- Have sufficient funds to cover course fees and living costs (see the finances section below)
- Have written consent from both parents or legal guardians to study and live in the UK
- Have suitable arrangements in place for their care and accommodation during their time in the UK
Children aged 18 or over cannot apply for the Child Student visa and must instead use the standard Student visa.
What type of school qualifies?
The school must be an independent school (also called a private school or fee-paying school) that holds a current student sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. The school must be registered with and inspected by the relevant education standards body — Ofsted in England, Estyn in Wales, Education Scotland, or the Education and Training Inspectorate in Northern Ireland.
The course must be taught in accordance with the National Curriculum or prevailing independent school education inspection standards. Your child cannot attend an academy, a free school, or any local authority-funded (maintained) school on this visa. Foundation courses that prepare for direct entry to a higher education institution are also not permitted under the Child Student route.
The CAS
Once the school has made an unconditional offer and your child has accepted it, the school will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies reference number. This is a digital record — not a paper document — shared directly with UKVI. You must apply for the Child Student visa within 6 months of receiving the CAS. The CAS can only be used once: if an application is refused, the school must issue a new CAS before you reapply.
Financial requirements
You must show that your child has sufficient funds to pay for their course and support themselves while in the UK. The exact amount depends on how and where they will be living.
| Living arrangement | Financial evidence required |
|---|---|
| Boarding at a residential independent school | Full boarding fees for at least one academic year (as stated in the CAS) |
| Living with a parent who holds a Parent of a Child Student visa | £1,560/month (London) or £1,023/month (outside London) for each month of the course up to 9 months, plus £625/month per additional accompanying child |
| Living with a private foster carer or close relative who is a British citizen or has ILR | £570/month for each month of the course up to 9 months |
| Aged 16–17, living independently | £1,265/month in London or £1,015/month outside London, up to 9 months |
As with the Student visa, these funds must be held in a bank account for a consecutive 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before the date of application. Overdraft facilities, credit cards, shares, and pension funds cannot be used as evidence. Tuition fees stated in the CAS must also be covered in addition to the living cost figures above.
Application fees
| Fee type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Child Student visa application | £524 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (per year) | £776 |
| Parent of a Child Student visa | £524 per parent |
| IHS for parent (per year) | £776 |
The IHS is paid upfront for the full duration of the visa and gives access to NHS healthcare during your child's stay in the UK. For more information on healthcare for overseas students and families, see our NHS & Healthcare guide.
How long can your child stay?
The length of the Child Student visa depends on your child's age at the time of application and the length of their course.
| Age at time of application | Maximum visa duration |
|---|---|
| Under 16 | Course length + up to 6 years 4 months |
| 16 or 17 | Course length + up to 3 years 4 months |
Your child can arrive in the UK up to 1 month before their course start date (if the course lasts more than 6 months) or up to 1 week before (if the course lasts 6 months or less). They must not arrive before the arrival date shown on their visa.
Visa extensions: If your child's course is extended or they enrol in a new course at the same school, you will need to apply to extend the Child Student visa before it expires. The same financial evidence and CAS requirements apply to extensions as to initial applications. Apply well in advance — processing times can be up to 8 weeks from inside the UK.
How to apply: step by step
Confirm your child's place at a licensed independent school. Once the place is confirmed unconditionally, the school will issue the CAS reference number. Apply for the visa within 6 months of receiving it.
Collect your child's valid passport, bank statements covering the 28-day window, parental consent letters from both parents (or legal guardians), evidence of care arrangements in the UK, and any additional documents required for your child's nationality (such as a TB test certificate).
Complete the online Child Student visa application at gov.uk/child-study-visa. Applications from outside the UK can be made up to 6 months before the course start date; from inside the UK, up to 3 months before.
Pay the £524 application fee and the IHS (£776 per year of the visa) during the online process. These fees are non-refundable once biometrics have been submitted.
Your child will need to attend a visa application centre in your country to provide fingerprints and a photograph. Book this appointment early during peak periods. Processing time is usually within 3 weeks once biometrics are submitted.
If approved, your child will receive an eVisa — a digital immigration record linked to a UKVI online account. Set up the account and link your child's travel document before travelling to the UK.
Work rights
Work rights on the Child Student visa are limited and depend on your child's age.
| Age | Term time | School vacations |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| 16 or 17 | Up to 10 hrs/week | Full time |
Students aged 16 or 17 may also undertake a work placement as part of their course, provided it does not exceed 50% of the total course length. Self-employment, professional sport, and permanent full-time employment are not permitted at any age on this visa.
What your child cannot do
- Attend an academy, free school, or local authority-funded (maintained) school
- Work if under 16, or exceed the 10-hour limit if aged 16 or 17 during term time
- Be self-employed or take a permanent full-time job
- Claim public funds (benefits)
- Bring their own dependants
The Parent of a Child Student visa
Who can apply for the Parent of a Child Student visa?
If your child is aged 4 to 11 and attending an independent school in the UK, one parent may be able to apply to accompany them on a Parent of a Child Student visa. This is a separate application from the child's visa.
Key conditions:
- The child must be aged 4–11 (this visa is not available for children aged 12 or over)
- Only one parent may accompany the child — the other parent must remain abroad
- The accompanying parent must maintain their main home in their country of residence and have definite plans to leave the UK when the visa expires or when the child turns 12, whichever is sooner
- The parent cannot work, study, start a business, or claim public funds while in the UK
- The parent's visa runs until the child's visa expires or until the child turns 12 — whichever comes first
The Parent of a Child Student visa costs £524 plus the IHS at £776 per year. It does not lead to settlement and is strictly tied to the child's enrolment.
Switching to a Student visa
When your child turns 16, they may be eligible to switch from the Child Student visa to the standard Student visa — either to continue at the same school or to move to a further or higher education institution. To do so, they must meet the standard Student visa requirements: a new CAS, financial evidence, and English language evidence (unless exempt).
The switch must be made before the current Child Student visa expires. Academic progression rules apply: the new course must generally be at an equal or higher qualification level, and the institution must hold a student sponsor licence. Your child's school or the admissions team at their next institution can advise on which route and qualification level applies.
Planning ahead as a family
The Child Student visa is a well-established route for international families choosing a UK independent school education, but it requires careful coordination between the school's admissions office, the family's financial position, and the UKVI application process. Because the school issues the CAS and must hold its own sponsor licence in good standing, the school's international admissions team is your most important first point of contact — they will have guided many families through the process before.
For families planning for a parent to accompany a younger child, the Parent of a Child Student visa adds another layer of planning. That parent's visa runs until the child turns 12 or their visa expires — whichever comes first — so families with children close to that age should factor in what happens at that transition point, whether the child becomes a boarder, moves to an older-age school, or the family makes other arrangements.
Finally, if a longer-term UK future is part of the plan, it is worth understanding early that neither the Child Student visa nor the Parent visa leads directly to settlement. The educational foundation built through an independent school education can, however, open pathways to a Student visa, then a Graduate Route, and eventually a work visa that does count toward Indefinite Leave to Remain — a journey that works best when planned from the beginning.
Independent schools accepting the Child Student visa
Nestled in the beautiful Suffolk countryside and only 5 minutes from the A14, Finborough School offers a distinctive educational experience that seamlessly integrates academic excellence with personal growth, creativity and adventure.
Overlooking the River Thames in Oxfordshire, 40 minutes from London Heathrow. A thriving coeducational boarding and day school for 580 pupils aged 11–18. Flexi, weekly and full boarding available from Year 9, underpinned by the ethos of Inclusive, Individual and Inspirational.
In the heart of St Andrews, a leading coeducational day and boarding school for ages 4–18 offering all four IB programmes. Combines academic rigour with vibrant community, world-class golf and a stunning seaside setting.
Frequently asked questions
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information purposes only and reflects our understanding of UK Child Student visa rules as of March 2026. Immigration rules change regularly — always verify current requirements on GOV.UK or consult a qualified UK immigration adviser before applying. Moving to the UK is not a regulated immigration adviser and does not provide legal advice.
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Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and reflects our understanding of Child Student visa rules as of March 2026. Always verify on GOV.UK or consult a qualified immigration adviser before applying.