Student Visa

UK Student Visa

The Student Visa category is for individuals who are aged 16 or over and who wish to study on a further or higher education course in the UK.

If you are between 4 and 17 years old and wish to study at an independent school in the UK, you should apply for a Child Student Visa instead.

Requirements for a UK Student Visa

In order to qualify for a UK Student Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

• You are aged 16 or over;

• You have been offered an unconditional place on an approved course with a licensed student sponsor;

• You can read, write, speak and understand English to at least CEFR Level B2 (if studying at degree level or above) or CEFR Level B1 (if studying at below degree level);

• You have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course without relying on public funds;

• You have the consent of your parent(s) or legal guardian if you are 16 or 17 years old.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. Please speak to our solicitors for expert advice.

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Child Student Visa

The Child Student Visa route is for children aged between 4 and 17 who wish to study at an independent school in the UK, which is a Home Office approved student sponsor.

If you are aged 18 or over and wish to study a further or higher education course in the UK then you should apply for a Student Visa instead.  If you are aged 16 or 17 and want to study a course at or above Level 3 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework then you can apply as either a Child Student at an independent school or as a Student.

Requirements for a Child Student Visa

In order to qualify for a Child Student Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

• You are aged between 4 and 17;

• You have been offered an unconditional place on an approved course of study at an independent school holding a valid student sponsor licence;

• You have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course without relying on public funds;

• You have the consent of your parent(s) or legal guardian.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances.  Please speak to our solicitors for expert advice.

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Parent of a Child Student Visa

The Parent of a Child Student Visa will allow one parent to come to or stay in the UK to care for their child (or children) where the child is studying at an independent fee-paying school under a Child Student Visa.

Requirements for a Parent of a Child Student Visa

In order to qualify for a Parent of a Child Student visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You are aged 18 or over;

• You are the parent of a child who has, or is at the same time applying for, entry clearance or permission to stay as a Child Student;

• The Child Student’s other parent is not in the UK and is not seeking to come to the UK;

• The Child Student is aged between 4 and 11 years old and has, or is at the same time applying for, entry clearance or permission to stay, as a Child Student;

• You intend to live with the Child Student during your stay in the UK;

• You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;

• You do not intend to make the UK your main home and have sufficient funds to maintain your main home outside the UK.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. Please speak to our solicitors for expert advice.

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Short-Term Student Visa

The Short-term Student Visa (English Language) is a route for persons aged 16 and over who want to study an English language course in the UK for between 6 and 11 months without a student sponsor but at an accredited institution.

If you wish to study an English language course that will last longer than 11 months then you should apply for a Student Visa or Child Student Visa instead.

If you wish to study a course or complete a period of research that will last less than 6 months then the UK also offers a shorter 6-month Short-term Student Visa.  This route can also be used by persons who wish to re-sit an examination, retake a module or take an oral examination as part of a PhD qualification.  There is also a Short-term Student (Child) route which is available to persons under the age of 16.

Requirements for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language)

In order to qualify for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language) you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

• You are aged 16 or over;

• You are outside the UK;

• You have been accepted onto an English language course (that does not include any other subject) at an accredited institution that will last no longer than 11 months;

• You have paid your course fees or have enough funds to pay your course fees;

• You do not intend to undertake a course of study of longer than 11 months, study at an academy or state-funded school, make the UK your main home, work in the UK or engage in any business or professional activities in the UK;

• You intend to leave the UK within 30 days of the end of your English language course, or at the end of 11 months, whichever is sooner;

• You can maintain and accommodate yourself adequately without receiving public funds;

• You have enough funds to meet the cost of your return or onward journey from the UK;

• You have the consent of your parents if you are 16 or 17 years old.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. Please speak to our solicitors for expert advice.

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