Child Student visa

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Documents you'll need to apply

When you apply for your Child Student visa you must provide:

  • a current passport or other valid travel documentation
  • a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
  • written consent from your parent or legal guardian for your study in the UK

You may also need to provide:

  • proof that you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - this will vary depending on your circumstances
  • proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian (for example a birth certificate or other government issued document showing their names)
  • evidence of the qualifications you used to get a place on your course - if this was required by your course provider
  • your tuberculosis (TB) test results
  • written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances. Read the guidance for the full list of documents you’ll need to provide.

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you need to give your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre. You’ll be told if you need to do this when you apply.

You must have written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or legal guardian. This must confirm they consent to:

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

If you’re living with a close relative or foster carer, you’ll need to provide additional evidence. Read the guidance for the full list of documents you’ll need to provide.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Study in the UK on a Child Student visa

  1. Step 1 Check if this visa is right for you

    You can 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.

    1. Check what you can and cannot do on this visa
    2. Check what courses you can study on this visa

    You might be eligible for a different visa if you're 18 or over.

    1. Check which visas you're eligible for

  2. Step 2 Prepare the evidence you need

    1. You are currently viewing: Check what documents you can use as evidence
    2. Check if you need a tuberculosis (TB) test

  3. Step 3 Apply from outside the UK

    1. Apply from outside the UK £490

    You'll need to prove your identity as part of your application.

    You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

    1. Find out if you can pay more to get a faster decision

  4. or Apply from inside the UK

    1. Apply to extend if you're already in the UK on a Child Student visa (or Tier 4 (Child) visa) £490
    2. Apply to switch to this visa if you're already in the UK £490

    You'll need to prove your identity as part of your application.

    You'll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

    1. You may be able to pay more to get a faster decision you’ll be told if you can when you apply

  5. Step 4 Get access to your eVisa

    If your application is successful, you'll get an eVisa. This is an online record of your immigration status.

    1. Get access to your eVisa by setting up a UKVI account

    You’ll need to link your travel document to your UKVI account. This should be the travel document you use to come to the UK.

    1. You may have to prove your immigration status when you travel to the UK

  6. Step 5 Check what you can bring with you to the UK

    1. Check what you can bring in your hand luggage
    2. Check what to do if you're bringing cash with you
    3. Check what goods you can bring with you
    4. Check what food, animals or plants you can bring into the UK

  7. Step 6 Check what you need to show at the UK border

    1. Check what you need to show at the UK border

    If you said in your application that you would be accompanied by an adult, they need to be with you when you arrive at the border.

    If you're not accompanied by an adult, the official at the border will check that you know where you're going and how you're getting there. They may ask you other questions too.

  8. Step 7 After you arrive in the UK

    1. Find out how to get your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if you were told you'd get one when you applied

    You might be able to extend your visa to stay longer in the UK.

    1. Check if you can extend your visa

    If you break the conditions of your visa you may not be able to come to the UK again.