How to Apply for a Child Study Visa UK and Support Your Child’s Future
The British independent education system is popular with parents worldwide. Schools like Eton College offer a high-quality education and good access to British universities for parents who can afford the tuition fees.
However, many children from outside the UK will need the Child Student visa to legally study in the country. Get help with your child’s application by contacting Immigration Advice Service today.
Applying for a UK Independent School
Successfully complete the application process for the Child Student visa to ensure that your child can go to their dream school in the UK. The first step is to be accepted into a British independent school. This school will need to be able to sponsor foreign children, which should be the case for most major private schools. Each school will have a different application process and tuition fees that you will need to keep on top of. Examples of independent schools that are able to sponsor foreign children include the following:
- Kings Monkton School.
- Landmark International School.
- Wychwood School.
- Surbiton High School.
- Holmewood House School.
Once your child receives an unconditional offer from the school, they will also get a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) number. Make sure to safely retain this, as you will need to provide it during the visa application.
Child Student Visa Application Process
Once your child has their CAS number, you can begin the main visa application process, which you will need to do on your child’s behalf. Start by ensuring that your child meets the additional application requirements. These include the following:
- Your child hasn’t previously broken British immigration rules.
- Your child has received the necessary qualifications to study at the independent school.
- You intend for your child to come back to their home country after they finish studying.
- Your child has sufficient English language skills to study in the UK.
Then, head to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) webpage. Here, you can download and complete the application form. You can also submit your child’s supporting documentation through this online portal.
Once the documentation and application form are properly uploaded, you can submit the application. For your child’s application to be processed, make sure to pay the application fee, currently £524, promptly and in full, alongside the annual immigration health surcharge (IHS). That will allow your child to access National Health Service (NHS) care while they are in the UK.
Before immigration officials process your child’s application, they will need biometric information. Book an appointment at your nearest visa application centre for this procedure to be done. Officials will take your child’s fingerprints and biometric photographs.
What Happens After Your Child’s Application?
You can expect a decision on your application in three weeks if you applied in the UK, or in eight weeks if you applied outside the UK. If the application is accepted, your child will be able to travel to the UK in time for the start of their studies. Meanwhile, you will receive a refusal letter if the application is rejected, which will explain why the officials’ decision.
You usually won’t have the right to appeal a Child Student visa application rejection. However, if you believe mistakes were made during processing, you can request an administrative review within 14 days, which usually costs £80. A different official will assess the application and make a final decision.
If you know that you made mistakes during your child’s application, it is usually better to submit a new application. However, you will need to pay another application fee, and your initial application fee will not be refunded.
Parent of a Child Student Visa
It is common for parents to want to support their child in a UK independent school by joining them in the UK. One parent can join the child studying in the UK by using the Parent of a Child Student visa. This visa type is only available if your child is under 11 years old.
Please note that it is not necessary to accompany your child to the UK, even if they are exceptionally young. Most independent schools offer boarding for their pupils, and you can also make use of private foster care services, should you need to remain in your home country. It is your responsibility to ensure that your child is receiving adequate care through these services.
It is also difficult to sustain yourself in the UK while on this visa, unless you have significant personal wealth or your partner back home is giving you financial support. This is because Parent of a Child Student visa holders are not allowed to work (employed or self-employed) or start a business, while in the UK. They are also not permitted to study, bring other dependents with them to the UK, or apply for benefits.
Furthermore, your visa will become ineligible once your child turns twelve years old.
How Can Immigration Advice Service Help?
The Child Student visa is the ideal way to support your child throughout their education. It allows them to study in some of the world’s best independent schools, known for their excellent connections in higher education and business.
Improve your chances of successfully applying for a Child Student visa, and of being able to accompany them on a Parent of a Child Student visa, by working with Immigration Advice Service throughout the application process. Our team can take the lead once your child has an unconditional offer, gathering and validating their documentation before submitting the application. We can then keep you updated as their application travels through the British bureaucracy.
Call us today to begin your Child Student visa and Parent of a Child Student visa applications. You can also discover our additional UK visa services by visiting us online.
