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

Parental consent

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.

Once you’ve applied, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

You can study at an independent school.

If you’re 16 or over you can work:

• part-time during term for up to 10 hours per week

• full-time during vacations

• on a work placement as part of your course (but not for more than 50% of your course)

You 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 (‘dependants’) - if a parent wants to accompany you, they’ll need to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa visa

You can do a course at an independent school that’s 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)

You can do a short ‘pre-sessional’ course to prepare you for your main course.

You must have enough money available to you to pay for your course and support you in the UK.

How much money you need depends on where you will live and who will be looking after you.

You may fall within a special category group, depending on your circumstances.

If you’ll live with your parent or guardian

Your parent must have a Parent of a Child Student visa to accompany you to the UK. If you’re over 12 your parent will not be eligible, unless you have a younger sibling who’s under 12 and also has a Child Student visa.

You must have enough money to pay for your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

You’ll also need £1,560 per month (for up to 9 months) - this amount is for both you and your parent.

Your parent will need an extra £625 a month (for up to 9 months) for each additional child they accompany to the UK. The child must be your sibling and must also have a Child Student visa.

If you’re boarding at an independent school

You must have enough money to pay for your course fees and your boarding fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

If you’ll live with a foster carer or close relative

You must have enough money to pay for your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

Your foster carer or close relative must confirm they have at least £570 per month (for up to 9 months).

Your foster carer or close relative must be a British citizen or be settled (have ‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK. They cannot be your parent.

If you’re 16 or 17 and living independently

You must have enough money to pay for your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

You’ll also need either:

• £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) if you’re studying in London

• £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) if you’re studying outside of London

London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.

You must prove you (or your parent) have the money for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.

If you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you’ll need to provide evidence of this from your loan or sponsorship company.

Special categories

The following categories of applicants will automatically be treated as having satisfied the Child Student Visa financial requirement:

• applicants who have been in the UK with valid leave for at least 12 months prior to the date of their Child Student Visa application;

• applicants who are British Nationals (Overseas) or who are from one of a list of specified countries or territories that are subject to the ‘differential evidence requirement’ (such applicants should still hold the required level of funds as UKVI reserve the right to request evidence of funds from these applicants).