Immigration Corner | Obtaining a child student visa

Dear Mr Bassie,

I am considering enrolling my child at an independent school in England, and I would like to know the process. I would appreciate any guidance that you can give.

WJ

Dear WJ,

Persons can apply for a Child Student visa if the child is between four and 17 years old and wants to study at an independent school in the United Kingdom (UK).

The child must:

• Have an unconditional offer of a place on a course at an independent school.

• Be able to show that he/she will have access to enough money to support himself in the UK and pay for the course.

• Have the consent of their parent or guardian to study in the UK – they will need to prove this when applying.

If the person is 18 years old or over, then an application for a student visa should be made instead. Please note that this visa has replaced the Tier 4 (Child) student visa.

WHEN TO APPLY

When persons can apply will depend on whether they are applying from inside or outside of the UK.

When applying from outside the UK, the earliest persons can apply for a visa is six months before the start of the course. Persons will usually receive a decision within three weeks.

Please be aware that if applying from inside the UK then the earliest persons can apply is three months before the course starts.

Persons must apply before their current visa expires, and the new course must begin within 28 days of their current visa expiring. A decision will usually be given within eight weeks.

LENGTH OF STAY

How long persons can stay depends on their age on the date they apply and the length of their course. Persons who are under 16 years of age can enrol in a course for up to six years plus four months afterwards. Persons who are 16 or 17 years of age can enrol in a course for up to three years plus four months afterwards.

WHEN PERSONS CAN TRAVEL TO THE UK

Persons can arrive up to one month before the course starts but no earlier than the start date given on their visa.

Persons may be able to stay longer in the UK. Those persons may be able to extend their visa if they are eligible, for example, to continue their studies in the UK or switch to a Child Student visa from another visa if already in the UK.

FEES

It costs £490 to apply for a Child Student visa from outside the UK and £490 to extend or switch to a Child Student visa from inside the UK.

Please be aware that applicants will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of their application. How much they pay depends on how long their visa lasts. It is advisable to check how much will be needed to pay prior to applying.

WHAT CAN AND CANNOT BE DONE

Persons can study at an independent school.

If he/she is 16 years of age or over, he/she can work

• Part time during term for up to 10 hours per week

• Full time during vacations

• On a work placement as part of their course (but not for more than 50 per cent of the course).

He/she cannot:

• Study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school) or further or higher education institution

• Get public funds (benefits).

• Take a full-time permanent job or be self-employed.

• Work as a professional sportsperson (for example, a sports coach) or entertainer.

• Apply for settlement.

• Bring family members’ dependents) – if a parent wants to accompany him/her, they will need to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa.

Please note that the successful applicant will receive a full list of what he/she can and cannot do with a Child Student visa.

I hope this helps.

Good luck.

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com