Visas for UK Boarding School Students

Most international pupils aged 4 to 17 attending a UK independent school need a Child Student visa. Some 16-17-year-olds may qualify for a Student visa instead. The application requires a confirmed place at a licensed sponsor school, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), evidence of funds, a valid passport and immigration health surcharge payment. Applications usually take 3 to 8 weeks to process. Immigration rules change from time to time, so always check current guidance on GOV.UK before applying.

This is a supporting article within our pillar guide to UK private schools for international students. Note: UK immigration rules can change. Confirm current requirements on the GOV.UK Child Student visa and Student visa pages before applying.

The Child Student visa

The Child Student visa is the main visa route for international pupils at UK independent schools. It applies to students aged 4 to 17 attending schools with a Student Sponsor Licence — a category held by almost all UK independent schools.

Requirements

• Aged 4 to 17 at the time of application.
• Accepted at a school with a Student Sponsor Licence.
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by the school.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover fees and living costs.
• Parental (or guardian) consent for pupils under 16.
• A valid passport.
• Biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results for pupils applying from listed countries.

What the visa allows

• Study at the sponsoring school full-time.
• Live in the UK for the duration of the visa.
• Travel in and out of the UK.
• At age 16-17, limited part-time work (with restrictions).

What it does not allow

• Public benefits (except under specific circumstances).
• Full-time work.
• Study at a different school without a new CAS and visa.

The Student visa (for 16-17-year-olds)

Students aged 16 or 17 at the point of application may — at some schools — apply for a Student visa instead of a Child Student visa. This is more common for sixth form entry at schools that also sponsor university-preparation programmes. The Student visa typically:

• Allows longer stays and is more useful if the student intends to progress to university in the UK.
• Permits some part-time work during term time.
• Requires higher English proficiency.
• Has more complex maintenance funds requirements.

Whether the Student visa or the Child Student visa is more appropriate depends on the school, the student's age at application, and future plans. The school's admissions office will typically advise.

How the visa is issued

1. The school issues a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) once a place is confirmed and any conditions met.
2. The family submits an online visa application on GOV.UK.
3. The applicant attends a Visa Application Centre in their home country for biometrics.
4. Supporting documents are submitted — passport, financial evidence, CAS reference, TB test results if required.
5. The application is processed — typically 3 to 8 weeks.
6. The visa is issued as a vignette in the passport, with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) collected in the UK.

Costs

Fees change from time to time. Confirm current amounts on GOV.UK before applying.

Financial evidence

The visa application requires evidence that the family can pay for fees and living costs. Typical documentation:

• Bank statements showing the required funds have been held for at least 28 consecutive days.
• Confirmation from the school of fees paid or to be paid.
• Statement of maintenance funds (living costs) — a per-month figure applies for the first year.
• Sponsorship letters if fees are paid by a third party.

How long the visa lasts

The Child Student visa is typically issued for the length of the course, up to a maximum of 6 years for pupils entering under 16, or 3 years for pupils entering at 16-17. The visa can be extended in the UK if the pupil continues at the same school, and can be switched to other visa categories (typically a Student visa for university) at the appropriate stage.

Common problems

• Insufficient time held in the bank — funds must usually be held for 28 consecutive days.
• CAS issued too late for the visa deadline before term starts.
• Missing TB test — required from many countries and often overlooked.
• Discrepancies between the CAS and the actual application details.
• Underestimating processing times, particularly during peak summer months.

Priority processing

Priority (5 working days) and super-priority (next working day) visa services are available at additional cost in most countries. These are useful when time is short — particularly for pupils who have received a late offer or whose plans have changed. Availability of priority services can be limited in peak periods; check the Visa Application Centre in your country.

Renewals and extensions

Visa extensions in the UK are processed through the same online system. The school issues an updated CAS, financial evidence is re-submitted, and the extension application is made ahead of the current visa's expiry. Missing the extension deadline can result in the pupil having to leave the UK and reapply from home.

Final thought

Visas are more manageable than they can look at first, but the process is unforgiving of missing paperwork and tight timelines. Work closely with the school's admissions office, start the process as soon as a CAS is available, and confirm current rules on GOV.UK rather than relying on older advice — immigration policy moves.

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Related reading

UK private schools for international students — The full pillar guide.

Guardianship for international students in UK boarding schools — The other legal prerequisite.

Applying to UK private schools from overseas — The full application process.