UK Child Student Visa Checklist — Documents to Prepare
A Child Student visa is for children aged 4 to 17 who want to study at an independent school in the UK. The core documents are a CAS from your course provider, written parental consent, a suitable place to live, and proof of money. It costs £558 to apply from outside the UK and £558 to extend or switch from inside, plus the healthcare surcharge. Verified against GOV.UK, September 2026 — see Child Student visa for the authoritative word.
Stage A — Who it is for
- ☐ You are between 4 and 17 years old and want to study at an independent school.
- ☐ You have an unconditional offer of a place on a course at an independent school.
- ☐ You have a suitable place to live in the UK.
- ☐ You can show you will have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course.
- ☐ You have the consent of your parent or legal guardian to study and live in the UK — you must prove this when you apply.
- ☐ If you are 18 or over, apply for a Student visa instead. This visa replaced the Tier 4 (Child) student visa.
Stage B — Documents you must provide
- ☐ A current passport or other valid travel document.
- ☐ A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider.
- ☐ Written consent from your parent or legal guardian for your study and living arrangements in the UK.
- ☐ If you will live with a foster carer, close relative or nominated guardian, a letter from them (see the required contents below).
You may also need to provide:
- ☐ Proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course — this varies with your circumstances.
- ☐ Proof of your relationship to your parent or legal 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 your course provider required it.
- ☐ Your tuberculosis (TB) test results, where required.
- ☐ Written consent from your financial sponsor, if you have had sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months.
Stage C — Parental consent
You must have written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or your legal guardian. It must confirm they consent to your:
- ☐ visa application,
- ☐ travel to the UK, and
- ☐ living arrangements and care in the UK.
The consent must also confirm that your living arrangements will be one of: living with your parent or legal guardian; at an independent boarding school; living independently and aged 16 or 17; or living with a foster carer or close relative who is not your legal guardian.
Stage D — The carer or guardian letter
If you will live with a foster carer or close relative — or with a nominated guardian — you must provide a letter from them. It must include:
- ☐ Their name, current address and contact details.
- ☐ The address where you will both live in the UK, if different from their current address.
- ☐ Confirmation that the place you will live is a private address and not run as a business.
- ☐ Their relationship with your parent or legal guardian.
- ☐ Confirmation that they agree to care for you.
- ☐ The names of any other people they look after or have offered to look after.
- ☐ Confirmation they have enough money to look after you, if you will not board at school.
- ☐ Their signature and the date.
Stage E — Fees and timings
- ☐ Fee: £558 to apply from outside the UK, and £558 to extend or switch from inside the UK. You also pay the healthcare surcharge.
- ☐ Decision time: usually 3 weeks from outside the UK, 8 weeks from inside the UK.
- ☐ When to apply: up to 6 months before your course starts from outside the UK; up to 3 months before from inside.
- ☐ How long you can stay: under 16 → course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months; 16 or 17 → course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months.
- ☐ Arriving: you can arrive up to 1 month before your course starts, but no earlier than the start date on your visa.
Get it right the first time
- Consent is not a formality — it must come from both parents (or one with sole responsibility) and confirm the specific living arrangement.
- Plan the living arrangements early — a carer or guardian letter has a precise contents list.
- Check TB testing for your country before you apply.
- 18 or over? This is the wrong visa — use the student route.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a Child Student visa?
Children aged 4 to 17 who want to study at an independent school in the UK, and who meet the eligibility requirements including an unconditional offer.
What documents must I provide?
A current passport or travel document, a CAS from your course provider, and written consent from your parent or legal guardian. If you live with a foster carer, close relative or nominated guardian, you also need a letter from them.
Who must give consent?
Written consent from both parents, or one parent if they have sole responsibility, or your legal guardian. It must confirm consent to the visa application, travel to the UK, and your living arrangements and care.
How much does it cost?
£558 to apply from outside the UK, and £558 to extend or switch from inside the UK, plus the healthcare surcharge.
How long can I stay?
If you are under 16, the course length up to 6 years plus 4 months. If you are 16 or 17, the course length up to 3 years plus 4 months.
I am 18 — can I still use this visa?
No. If you are 18 or over, apply for a Student visa instead.
Related: the adult route is the UK student visa checklist; for the child's own travel document see the child passport checklist. Check the photo with the passport photo checker.