Our Immigration Team has recently been successful in securing a child Student Visa for our client (“the Applicant”). The applicant had a previous rejection on the basis that he presented a fraudulent birth certificate, which under paragraph 9.8.1 in Part 9 of the Immigration Rules, provides for an automatic 10 year ban. We were subsequently instructed and made strong legal representations for the Applicant.
The visa was granted to the Applicant in under 2 weeks and he is now able to legally enter the UK in order to begin Key Stage 5.
Applying for a Child Student Visa
You may apply for a Child Student visa if you’re between 4 and 17 years old and you want to study at an independent school in the UK. In order to do this, you must:
- have an unconditional offer of a place on a course at an independent school
- be able to show you’ll have access to enough money to support you in the UK and pay for your course
- have the consent of your parent or guardian to study in the UK – you’ll need to prove this when you apply
When to apply
The timings for applying depend on whether you are applying from inside or outside of the UK. When applying from the outside, the earliest to apply is 6 months before the start date of the course and you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
On the other hand, the earliest you can apply from within the UK is 3 months before the start date of the course and you will usually get a decision within 8 weeks.
When applying from inside the UK, you must apply before your current visa expires and your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.
How long can you stay?
This depends on your age on the date of application as well as the length of your course. If you are under 16 at the date of application, you are permitted to stay for the duration of your course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months after the course ends.
If you are 16 or 17 on the date of application, you are permitted to stay for the duration of your course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months after the course ends.
You are permitted to arrive up to 1 month before your course begins but no earlier than the start date provided on your visa.
How much does a Child Student Visa cost?
It costs:
- £363 to apply for a Child Student visa from outside the UK.
- £490 to extend or switch to a Child Student visa from inside the UK.
As part of your application, you will also have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (“IHS”). The amount will depend on how long your visa lasts. Instruct LEXVISA UK Immigration & Visa Lawyers to guide you through your application, fees and advise on the IHS.
Course requirements
You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Child Student sponsor. The courses you can study must be taught in line with one of the following:
- The national curriculum.
- The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at level 3 or below.
- Independent school education inspection standards.
You can also do a course that’s accepted as being at the same academic level by:
- Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
- Education Scotland.
- Estyn (in Wales).
- Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland).
Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Once your education provider has offered you a place on a course, they’ll send you a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (“CAS”). This number will be required when completing your visa application and you must apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS number.
Financial requirements
It is important you have enough money available to you to pay for your course and support you in the UK. The amount depends on where you will live and who will be looking after you.
LEXVISA’s competent team can aid you in determining which financial requirement is applicable to you and the evidence required.
How our Immigration Team can assist you in obtaining a Child Student Visa
Our immigration solicitors in London specialise and prepare Child Student Visa applications to the highest standard. We can guide you through the application process and advise you on the documentation needed to submit a successful application. Our impeccable track history of submitting successful applications for a range of different clients speaks for itself. The key to submitting successful applications is being aware of the relevant Immigration Rules. We guide Applicants through the requirements and prepare detailed legal submissions in support of their application and carry out detailed reviews of all documentation before submission.
Why instruct our specialist Immigration Solicitors?
Our team of solicitors and barristers represent your interests at all times. On initial consultation, our highly competent team will advise you regarding your immigration status and assist with your application from the very beginning.
We are based in the legal epicenter of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. LEXVISA is just minutes away from the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation. Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.
Authored by Tehreem Fatima, Paralegal