If you are between the ages of 4 and 17 and currently studying at an independent school in the UK, you may apply for an extension of your Child Student visa to continue your education at the same institution, provided it is a registered student sponsor. The extension application must adhere to the guidelines outlined in Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules. For a quicker decision on your visa extension, consider using the Priority or Super Priority Service.

For those aged 16 or 17 seeking to enroll in a course at or above Regulated Qualifications Framework level 3 or Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 6, there are two application options available: either apply as a Child Student at an independent school or as a Student under Appendix Student.

Expert Student Visa Solicitors in London

Our distinguished team of student visa solicitors in London excels in handling applications for the extension of child student visas from within the UK. As leading experts in student visa law, we offer comprehensive immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed fee basis for your child student visa extension application. Our seasoned solicitors have a proven track record of successfully assisting numerous international students with their visa extension needs. We also provide expedited service through the Super Priority Service, ensuring a decision on your child’s student visa extension application within 24 hours.

Aden & Co Solicitors are renowned for their specialized UK immigration services. Our team of highly qualified and experienced immigration solicitors consistently delivers top-tier legal services, as reflected in our outstanding 5-star Google Reviews rating from 99% of our satisfied clients.

For free online immigration advice, or to schedule a detailed consultation with one of our expert student visa solicitors, please reach out to us regarding your child student visa extension application.

Eligibility Criteria for Extending a Child Student Visa

To be eligible for extending a Child Student Visa from within the UK, applicants must adhere to the following Immigration Rules:

• The applicant must currently be in the UK with valid leave to remain or enter as a student.
• The applicant must be aged between 4 and 17 years at the time of the application.
• A valid application for an extension of the Child Student Visa must be submitted.
• The application for an extension should be made no earlier than 3 months before the commencement date of the course specified in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
• The course start date for the extension application should not exceed 28 days post the expiry of the applicant’s previous UK visa (leave to remain).
• Compliance with all CAS-related requirements is mandatory.
• The applicant must fulfill all requirements related to the chosen course of study.
• The applicant must meet the points-based system criteria, achieving a total of 70 points to qualify for the visa extension.
• For applicants aged 16 or 17, proof of genuine student status is required.
• Parental consent must be provided as per the requirements.
• The application must not be subject to refusal under the general grounds outlined in Part 9 of the Immigration Rules.
• The applicant must not be in violation of UK immigration laws, except where paragraph 39E applies, allowing any current period of overstaying to be disregarded.

Valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Requirements

To ensure compliance with the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for a child student, the following criteria must be met:

• Issuance by a Valid Sponsor: The CAS must be issued by a licensed student sponsor, specifically an independent school, whose licence remains valid on the application decision date.
• Timeliness of CAS Issuance: The CAS should be issued no more than six months prior to the date of the application.
• Previous Usage: The CAS must not have been used in any previous application, whether granted or refused. It may have been submitted in an earlier application if that application was rejected as invalid, rendered void, or withdrawn.
• Ongoing Offer: The student sponsor must not have withdrawn the offer since the CAS was issued.
• Course Requirement Confirmation: The CAS must include detailed information confirming that the course requirements are satisfied.
• Financial Information: The CAS should clearly state the costs for accommodation and fees, including any payments already made, to facilitate the assessment of financial requirements.

Course of Study Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must fulfill the following criteria concerning their chosen course of study:

• The application should pertain to a single course that aligns with the standards outlined in CS 8.2, unless it is for a combined pre-sessional course meeting the criteria specified in CS 11.1.
• The course linked to the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) must adhere to one of the following conditions:
  • It should be delivered according to the National Curriculum; or
  • It must comply with the Recognised Qualification Framework (RQF) and should not be a foundation course designed to prepare the Child Student for entry into a course at a higher education institution; or
  • It must be recognized as equivalent to (a) or (b) by Ofsted (England), the Education and Training Inspectorate (Northern Ireland), Education Scotland (Scotland), or Estyn (Wales); or
  • It should be conducted in line with the current Independent School education inspection standards.

Parental Consent Requirements for UK Immigration

Applicants must present written consent from:

• Both parents; or
• One parent, if that parent holds sole legal responsibility; or
• The applicant’s legal guardian.

This written consent should affirm support for:

• The application itself;
• The applicant’s living and care arrangements in the UK; and
• If the application is for entry clearance, the applicant’s travel to and reception in the UK.

If the applicant will reside with a close relative or a private foster carer, that person must be:

• A British citizen; or
• Settled in the UK.

The close relative or private foster carer (referred to as the intended carer) must submit a letter of undertaking that includes:

• The name, current address, and contact information of the intended carer;
• The address where the applicant and the intended carer will reside in the UK, if different from the intended carer’s current address;
• Confirmation that the accommodation provided to the applicant is private and not operated as a commercial entity, such as a hotel or youth hostel;
• The nature of the relationship between the applicant’s parent(s) or legal guardian and the intended carer;
• An agreement from the intended carer to the care arrangements for the applicant;
• Proof that the intended carer has a minimum of £570 per month available to support and accommodate the applicant for each month of the stay, up to a maximum of 9 months;
• A list of any other individuals whom the intended carer has previously supported;
• The intended carer’s signature and the date on the letter of undertaking.

For applicants under 16 years old in private foster care, additional documents required include:

• A copy of the letter from the parent, legal guardian, or intended carer to the UK local authority, notifying them that the applicant will be under the care of a private foster carer in the UK;
• Confirmation from the UK local authority acknowledging receipt of the notification and granting permission for the private foster care arrangement.

Financial Requirements for Extension of Child Student Visa

Extension for Applicants in the UK for 12 Months or More

Applicants extending their Child Student Visa who have resided in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer at the time of application are deemed to meet the financial requirements and are exempt from showing additional funds.

Extension for Applicants in the UK for Less Than 12 Months

Applicants seeking an extension of their Child Student Visa who have been in the UK for less than 12 months must demonstrate sufficient funds as outlined below:

• If the course includes a part of a month, the period will be rounded up to the next full month.
• Unless supported by a student loan or sponsorship from a government or international agency, the applicant must demonstrate that they have maintained the required level of funds for a 28-day period, as outlined in Appendix Finance, FIN 7.1 to FIN 7.3. Compliance with the financial requirements detailed in Appendix Finance is mandatory,
• and applicants must not be financially responsible for others.

Combined Pre-sessional Course Requirement

An independent school may issue a single Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for a combined pre-sessional and main course if:

• The applicant has received an unconditional offer from the independent school.
• The combined duration of the pre-sessional and main courses does not exceed the maximum period of permission granted as specified in CS 15.2.

Evidence of Qualification Requirement

Unless specified under CS 13.1, applicants are required to present proof of the qualifications that were used to secure an offer for the course from the student sponsor.

Acceptable forms of evidence for each qualification include:

• Certificates of qualification
• Academic transcripts
• A printed copy of the qualification or transcript results from the awarding body’s online verification service

If the applicant submits a printout of qualifications or transcript results obtained from the awarding body’s online verification service, the decision-maker may request the original certificate of qualification or transcript of results.

Differential Evidence Requirement

Applicants need not include evidence demonstrating that they meet the financial requirements or documents used to secure an offer with their application (though such documentation may be requested by the decision-maker) if they are applying from their current country of residence or from within the UK. This applies if the applicant:

• Holds a valid passport indicating British National (Overseas) status, or a passport issued by the competent authorities of Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, or Taiwan (including the identification card number issued by Taiwan’s competent authority); or
• Is a national of one of the following countries:

Australia | Austria | Bahrain | Barbados | Belgium | Botswana | Brazil | Brunei | Bulgaria | Cambodia | Canada | Chile | China | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark | Dominican Republic | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Indonesia | Ireland | Italy | Japan | Kazakhstan | Kuwait | Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malaysia | Malta | Mauritius | Mexico | Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway | Oman | Peru | Poland | Portugal | Qatar | Romania | Serbia | Singapore | Slovakia | Slovenia | South Korea | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Thailand | Tunisia | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | United States of America (USA).

Study Requirements for Child Students

To comply with the study conditions for Child Students, the following guidelines must be observed:

Course Enrollment: A Child Student is required to pursue the course or courses specified in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). However, there are exceptions:

• If the Child Student has not yet completed the original course listed in the CAS.
• If the Child Student enrolls in a new course at the same institution, provided that the new course is of equal or greater level than the original course and is not a preparatory foundation course intended for entry into a higher education institution.

Institution Attendance: The Child Student must continue their studies with the sponsor institution that issued the CAS, unless:

• The student is studying at a partner institution of their original sponsor.
• The Child Student has applied for a stay extension supported by a valid CAS from the original sponsor, and the application is pending or under administrative review. In this case, the Child Student must remain at the original sponsor institution.

Supplementary Study: Supplementary studies are allowed.

State Schools and Academies: Child Students are generally prohibited from studying at a State School or Academy, with the following exceptions:

• Enrollment in a voluntary grammar school with boarding facilities in Northern Ireland.
• If the Child Student has been authorized to study at an institution that subsequently becomes a State School or Academy during the period of their permission, they may complete the course specified in the CAS.

Conditions and Duration of Permission Grant

Permission will be granted under the following stipulations:

• No Access to Public Funds: The individual is not permitted to access public funds.
• Employment Restrictions: Employment is prohibited until the Child Student reaches the age of 16, after which employment is allowed in accordance with the provisions outlined in CS 16.1.
• Study Limitations: Study is restricted except as permitted under CS 17.
• Police Registration: If Part 10 regulations are applicable, the individual must register with the police.

The permission duration will align with the course length as indicated on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), with additional time granted based on the applicant’s age as detailed in the table below:

Super Priority Service: Decision Within 24 Hours

Our expert team at Aden & Co Solicitors offers an expedited visa service designed to accelerate the processing of your child student visa extension application. By opting for our Priority or Super Priority Service, you can receive a decision on your visa extension much quicker, avoiding lengthy waiting periods that can stretch into months or even years.

With our advanced expertise in fast-track immigration, we ensure that your application is meticulously prepared and swiftly submitted under either the Priority or Super Priority Service. This approach guarantees a prompt decision on your visa extension application.

As leading immigration specialists in London, Aden & Co Solicitors are fully accredited by the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), and their commercial partners, UKVCAS Sopra Steria. This accreditation allows us to offer both Priority and Super Priority Services for your child student visa extension application. Typically, a Priority Service application is processed within 5 working days, while the Super Priority Service promises a decision from the Home Office UKVI within 24 hours, often by the end of the next working day.

How We Assist with Child Student Visa Extensions

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our dedicated team of immigration experts specializes in extending child student visas. We offer comprehensive legal services and expert advice on a fixed fee basis for your child’s visa extension application. From initial assessment to final decision, our solicitors will handle every aspect of the extension process. Here’s how we support you:

• Eligibility Assessment: Our solicitors will evaluate your child’s eligibility for a visa extension from within the UK, taking into account all pertinent eligibility criteria.
• Document Advisory: We will guide you on the necessary documents required to support the visa extension application.
• Document Review: Our team will scrutinize all documentary evidence, including the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), to ensure compliance with Home Office UKVI standards.
• Online Application: We will complete and submit the online application form for the child student visa extension.
• Cover Letter Preparation: A detailed cover letter will be drafted to articulate how all visa extension requirements have been met.
• Fee Payment and Appointment Booking: We will handle the payment of Home Office UKVI fees and schedule an appointment with the UKVCAS application centre on your behalf.
• Document Submission: All supporting documents will be uploaded online to strengthen the visa extension application.
• Follow-Up and Queries: Our team will manage all follow-up activities, including addressing any Home Office UKVI queries until a decision is reached on your application.

Fee Structure for Student Visa Applications

Explore our competitive fee structure for student visa applications, designed to cover comprehensive services from start to finish. Please find the details of our fixed fees in the table below:

Please note that the fixed fee agreed upon will vary based on the complexity of the application and the extent of casework involved. In addition to our fixed fees, applicants are responsible for paying the Home Office UKVI application fees.