Child Student visa
🇬🇧 United Kingdom visas · Study
What it is
For children aged 4 to 17 coming to study at a UK independent school. Replaced the Tier 4 (Child) student visa.
Key facts
- Category
- Study
- Duration
- Course length up to 6 years (under 16) or up to 3 years (16-17) plus 4 months
- Processing time
- 3–8 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 76 months
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- No
- Dependants
- No
- Work allowance
- 10 hours per week
- Age
- 4 to 17
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (Apply from outside the UK)
- GBP 558
- Health surcharge
- GBP 776 per year
- Proof of funds (per month up to 9 months (+£625/additional child))
- GBP 1,560 per month
- Application fee (Extend or switch from inside the UK)
- GBP 558
- Proof of funds (carer confirms, per month, up to 9 months)
- GBP 570 per month
Key requirements
- Aged between 4 and 17
- Unconditional offer from a UK independent school
- Suitable UK accommodation arranged
- Sufficient funds for tuition and living costs
- Parental or legal guardian consent
Working on this visa
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: ... take a full-time…
Bringing family
You cannot: ... bring family members ('dependants') - if a parent wants to accompany you, they'll need to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa
Money you must show
Depends on care arrangement, see fund variants
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 19 July 2026.