UK Child Student Visa Application from India

Introduction to Child Student Visa

Children aged between 4 and 17 years who wish to study at an independent school in the United Kingdom can apply for a Child Student visa.

To be eligible, the applicant must:

• Hold an unconditional offer to study at an independent school in the UK
• Demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover tuition fees and living costs
• Provide consent from a parent or legal guardian to study in the UK

Applicants who are 18 years or older must apply for a general Student visa instead. The Child Student visa has replaced the earlier Tier 4 (Child) student visa.

Application Timing

When you may apply will depend on your current location.

If applying from outside the UK:
You can apply up to 6 months before the course start date. A decision is typically made within 3 weeks.

If applying from within the UK:
You may apply up to 3 months before your course begins. Make sure to apply before your present visa expires, and your new course must commence within 28 days of your existing visa’s expiry. Decisions generally take up to 8 weeks.

Duration of Stay

The length of your stay depends on your age at the time of application and the duration of your course.

Travel to the UK

You may enter the UK up to 1 month before the commencement of your course, but not earlier than the start date on your visa.

Extension and Switching

It may be possible to extend your visa or switch to a Child Student visa from another type, if you meet eligibility criteria.

Visa Application Fees

The fee structure is as follows:

• £524 for applications from outside the UK
• £524 for extensions or switching applications made within the UK

An additional healthcare surcharge will be applicable based on the visa duration.

Permitted Activities

Under this visa, you may:

• Study at an independent school
• If aged 16 or over, work up to 10 hours weekly during term time
• Work full-time during holidays
• Undertake work placements (maximum 50% of your course)

You are not allowed to:

• Study at a publicly funded school or college
• Claim public benefits
• Engage in full-time permanent employment or be self-employed
• Work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer
• Apply for permanent settlement
• Bring dependants; a parent must apply separately under the Parent of a Child Student visa

Your Course

You must receive an unconditional offer from a UK independent school which holds a valid Child Student sponsor licence. Your offer will be supported by a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number, which you’ll need to include in your visa application.

Acceptable Courses

You may study courses aligned with:

• The national curriculum
• RQF level 3 or below
• Independent school inspection standards

Courses must also be recognised by:

• Ofsted (England)
• Education Scotland
• Estyn (Wales)
• Education and Training Inspectorate (Northern Ireland)

Short pre-sessional courses are allowed, but foundation courses leading to higher education admission are not.

Financial Requirements

You need to show proof of adequate funds for tuition and living expenses based on your living arrangements.

Living with a Parent or Guardian

The parent must hold a Parent of a Child Student visa. If the child is over 12, the parent can only accompany them if a younger sibling (under 12) is also on a Child Student visa.

You must show funds for:

• One academic year of tuition
• £1,560/month (for up to 9 months) for both child and parent

Additional £625/month is required for each additional child.

Boarding School

You must show funds covering both tuition and boarding for one academic year (up to 9 months).

Living with Foster Carer or Relative

Course fees for one academic year, plus at least £570/month (up to 9 months) from your UK-settled relative or foster carer, who must not be your parent.

Living Independently (Aged 16 or 17)

You must show:

• Course fees for one academic year
• Living expenses: £1,334/month (London) or £1,023/month (outside London)

Proof of Funds

You or your parent must show that the required funds have been available for at least 28 consecutive days, and the 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before applying.

Exemptions

You are not required to provide financial evidence if:

• You hold a valid UK visa for at least 12 months immediately before this application
• You are from a country under the ‘differential evidence requirement’ list

Required Documents

At the time of application, you must provide:

• Current passport or travel document
• CAS from your educational institution
• Parental or legal guardian’s written consent

Additional documents might include:

• Proof of funds
• Proof of relationship (birth certificate etc.)
• Academic qualifications (if applicable)
• TB test results (where required)
• Sponsorship consent letter (if applicable)

Parental Consent Requirements

A signed consent letter is required from both parents (or one with sole responsibility), which must confirm approval for:

• Your visa application
• Your living and care arrangements in the UK
• Your travel plans to the UK

How to Apply

You must apply for a Child Student visa online. Depending on your passport and nationality, you will:

• Visit a visa application centre to provide biometric data, or
• Use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to scan your ID

Check the official guidance for a full list of documents and eligibility before applying.

How We Can Help You With UK Visa Application

UK Immigration Solicitors in Punjab India

There are many individuals agents and Immigration Consultants companies providing UK Visa consultancy in Punjab, India who are working as an Immigration Agents/Consultants without legal qualification, however we specialize in UK Visa and Immigration services being qualified as British Solicitors. Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Punjab India are professional, reliable and trustworthy. Our UK Immigration Solicitors provide best customer service, confidentiality, reliable advice to our clients and legally rerpesenting clients before British High Commission in India, UKVI Home Office and Immigration Appeal Tribunal in UK. We take pride in protecting the best interest of our clients.

Initial Consultation for UK Visa Applications

It is our Standard professional practice to offer paid visa initial consultations who wish to apply for UK visas. This enables us to gauge prospects of your UK Visa & Immigration matter and accordingly decide if we can assist you. If we, after the UK visa consultation, believe that we can prepare your UK Visa Application or appeal against UK Visa refusal, only then we take the case and fee. Our fees depend on the time we anticipate to prepare your UK Visa Application and exercise involved therefore these vary for everyone. Rest assured we do not surprise our clients with any hidden charges. Clients can visit our offices or take initial consultation via WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, GoogleMeet and other platforms. We have been successfully advising our clients across the globe for the last 12 years as British Lawyers.

Preparation of UK Visa Application

Our experts UK Visa Solicitors in Punjab India are equipped with latest and modern technology. We analyse our clients’ personal, familial and financial circumstances. We advise our clients on the required documentation for their UK Visa application, prepare draft letters of support, representation letter on behalf of our client and document check list etc. Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Punjab India are expert in UK Visas & Immigration. Call us today to book your initial consultation with us either in person or remotely.

What’s included in our Professional Service?

As British lawyers, we will do our best and even go that extra mile for you. We can help you with the necessary paperwork that will be needed to ensure that your application meets the Immigration requirements.

Please expect us to do the following for you, when you instruct us to represent you or a member of your family:

1. Full and professional assessment of your case
2. Advice on whether you should consider a different immigration programme or category
3. Strong and weak points of your application
4. Advice on correct list of documents
5. Advice on evidence required
6. Instructing your sponsor, relative, employer or college (if required)
7. Completion of all visa immigration forms & appendix
8. Final check of your documents before submission to the British Embassy/Home Office
9. Drafting representations and cover letters to the Home Office/British Diplomatic Post
10. Creating a professionally looking paginated visa application bundle
11. All translations of the relevant documents
12. Booking of your appointments at VFS India
13. Represent your application to the Home Office inside/outside UK British Diplomatic Post
14. Correspondence with the Home Office/British Diplomatic Post as and when required
15. Keeping you updated by email, phone or msg about correspondence in your application
16. On-going visa application support till your application has been decided by UKVI
17. Any further in-country/out-of-country immigration assistance

Refusal of UK Visa application

We have successfully overturned many UK visa refusals by appealing the decisions in the UK. Our expert UK Solicitors in India have necessary knowledge and expertise to direct you in the right direction.