How to Apply for a Child Student Visa for a UK Boarding School
If your child is planning to attend a British boarding school, unless they have a valid British passport the type of UK entry permission they need depends mainly on the length of their stay. For short stays, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) may be enough. For longer placements, your child will usually need a Child Student Visa.
When is an ETA enough for a UK boarding school stay?
If the stay is under 180 days, for example one to one-and-a-half terms, an ETA is sufficient for a UK boarding school stay. An ETA currently costs GBP 20 and the application is normally quick and straightforward to complete via the official app. NB: Parents should also apply for their own ETA if they want to be able to travel to the UK at any time to visit their child at school.
When does a child need a Child Student Visa?
If the stay is over 180 days, for example two terms or longer, a Child Student Visa is required. The application is completed online and usually takes around 60 to 90 minutes. The visa application fee is currently GBP 558, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge, known as the IHS, which gives your child access to healthcare through the UK National Health Service (NHS). The IHS currently starts from GBP 776 for a shorter visa period or per visa year, with higher charges applying for longer stays.
What is a CAS and why is it important?
Before parents can start the Child Student Visa application, the UK school must issue a CAS letter, or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, together with a unique CAS number. Without a CAS, it is not possible to submit the visa application. To prepare the CAS, the British boarding school will normally need the following documents from the family:
- A copy of the child’s passport and copies of the parents’ passports
- The child’s international birth certificate or a certified English translation of the birth certificate
- A Letter of Consent signed by both parents, confirming that the child is allowed to attend the relevant British school (We/the school would be happy to provide a letter template, if required)
- A Letter of Undertaking from a UK-based guardian who agrees to act as guardian for the child
- (For non-EU and non-EEA nationals, clear financial evidence must also be provided. This is not normally required for EU or EEA nationals.)
Who can act as a guardian for a Child Student visa?
A permanently UK-based guardian is required. They must be over 25 years old, and either be British or live permanently in the UK with settled status. Close relatives or trusted family friends in the UK may be suitable guardians, but an official AEGIS-accredited guardianship agency is often the simpler and safer option. We work closely with one of the leading guardianship agencies in England and are happy to advise families who need support. The guardian must write and hand-sign a Letter of Undertaking confirming that they agree to act as guardian for the child.
Checking the CAS letter
Once the UK school has issued the CAS letter, parents should check all details very carefully. It is especially important to confirm that the child’s name, date of birth and length of stay are correct before starting or submitting the visa application.
How the Child Student Visa application works
Parents first need to create an online account for the visa application: https://www.gov.uk/child-study-visa/apply
The account should be created in the child’s name, but it is usually best for parents to enter their own mobile number and email address so they can access the account and receive updates. The child will need to be present briefly at the start of the process for the identity check.
The online form asks for information such as the child’s travel history over the last ten years, the guardian’s details and the child’s living arrangements in the UK.
The required supporting documents must then be uploaded. These typically include the birth certificate, the parental Letter of Consent and the guardian’s Letter of Undertaking.
How long does the Child Student visa decision take?
The usual processing time is around two to three weeks from submission, although it can take longer during busy periods, especially in the summer. Families should therefore allow plenty of time before the intended school start date.
After the visa decision: sharing the child’s immigration status
Once the visa decision has been received by email, the family should send the relevant visa details to the UK school. The family will first need to generate a share code so the school can access proof of the child’s immigration status. https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
The share code should then be emailed to the British school, allowing the school to download and keep evidence of the child’s right to study in the UK.
If you have any questions about the ETA or Child Student Visa, Gina will be only too happy to help.
