• Home
• Visas
  • Visiting the UK
  • Studying in the UK
    • Tier 4 Visa (General)
    • Tier 4 Visa (Child)
  • Working in the UK
    • Tier 1 Visa (General)
    • Tier 1 Visa (Exceptional Talent)
    • Tier 1 Visa (Entrepreneur)
    • Tier 1 Visa (Investor)
    • Tier 1 Visa (Post Study Work)
    • Tier 2 Visa (General)
    • Tier 2 Visa (Intra-Company Transfer)
    • Tier 5 Visa (General)
    • Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania
  • Partners & Family
  • British Citizenship
• Settlement
• Sponsor Licence
• Fees
• Premium Service
• Contact

• Minimum salary likely for ILR applicants post 2016
• A2 worker rules likely to remain in force until 2014
• Revised shortage occupation list proposed by the MAC
• Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category starts 9th August 2011
• Government signals end of ILR for migrant workers

Tier 4 (Child)

A child between 4 and 15 years old can only apply for a Tier 4 (Child) visa if attending a fee-paying school. If under 16 when applying, the maximum length of stay will be six years or the length of the course whichever is the shorter period.

In order to qualify the child must score 40 points under the Points-based System rules:

30 points – attending an acceptable course with an approved education provider (they will issue the child student with a CAS (confirmation of acceptance of studies) reference number.

10 points – having enough money to cover the course fees and living costs for the first year (normally provided by the parent or legal guardian). 

The exact requirements for this and particular rules relating to how your supporting evidence should be prepared and presented are complex so please contact us for more specific details of your particular case.

TIER 4 VISA, CHILD VISA

A tier 4 visa, child visa is for children who are coming to the UK for educational reasons. Applicants for the tier 4 visa, child visa must be between 4 and 15 and planning to attend a UK-based independent fee-paying school. The tier 4 visa, child visa allows applicants to study on courses that last more than 6 months.

Children who are either 16 or 17 and intend to study a programme within the National Qualification Framework at level 3 or above can decide with their sponsor whether to apply as a child or as an adult. If the child intends to study at level 2 of the National Qualification Framework, then they must apply for the tier 4 visa, child visa.

To obtain a tier 4 visa, child visa, applicants must have a certificate of sponsorship from a recognised UK institution that gives an unconditional and official offer of a place on a study course. The place of study must appear in the UK Border Agency’s register of tier 4 sponsors and have the authorization to sponsor students from outside of the UK.

Applicants for the tier 4 visa, child visa must be able to show that they have enough money to support themselves while they are in the UK for at least nine months. The specific amount depends on where the child will be living. They should also have enough money to pay their course fees for the first year.

A child coming to the UK needs to have their care arrangements in place before they arrive. Obtaining a tier 4 visa, child visa is therefore dependent on proving that the child will be suitably cared for in terms of their transport, reception and subsequent living arrangements. All arrangements are required to be in line with current UK regulation and legislation.

Applicants may be allowed leave that covers courses lasting for up to 6 years. Students who are aged 16 or 17 may be allowed leave for up to a maximum of 2 years. However, this can be extended, depending on what is being studied.

Children applying for the tier 4 visa, child visa do not need to achieve points based on their English language abilities. The period of their study does not count towards the time that is required to be built up to qualify for UK settlement.