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UK Immigration Rules Appendix Child Student: Updated Requirements for Care Arrangements and Guardianship

🇬🇧 United KingdomStudent Visas1 recorded versionLast change 27 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The Child Student route is for individuals aged between 4 and 17 who wish to study at an independent school in the UK that is a student sponsor. Applicants aged 16 or 17 can choose to apply either as a Child Student at an independent school or as a Student under Appendix Student if their course is at or above Regulated Qualifications Framework level 3 or Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 6. Applications for entry clearance must use the “Child Student visa” form, and for permission to stay, the “Child Student” form. Validity requirements include paying fees and the Immigration Health Charge, providing biometrics and identity documents, and having a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued no more than 6 months before the application date. Applicants must be 4 to 17 years old at the application date. Specific care, living, and guardianship arrangements must be in place for the applicant's safety. A points-based assessment requires 50 points for study (CAS, course, independent school study, age, parental consent) and 20 points for financial requirements, totalling 70 points. The CAS must be from a valid independent school sponsor and not used in a previous successful application. Courses must align with the National Curriculum, RQF, or equivalent, or be provided in accordance with independent school inspection standards. Parental consent is mandatory, and if the child lives with a nominated guardian, close relative, or private foster carer, they must be a British citizen or settled in the UK. Financial requirements vary based on living arrangements and previous time in the UK, requiring sufficient funds for outstanding course and boarding fees for one academic year, plus, if applicable, £570 per month for up to 9 months for a private foster carer or close relative.

Overview

The UK Immigration Rules Appendix Child Student has undergone revisions to enhance safeguarding for child students aged 4 to 17 studying at independent schools. These changes, outlined in the updated rules, introduce more detailed requirements for care, living, and guardianship arrangements, including specific criteria for nominated guardians, their immigration status, and checks against criminal records. This policy applies to all new applications for Child Student entry clearance or permission to stay.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Children aged 4 to 17 applying under the Child Student route
  • Parents and legal guardians of Child Student applicants
  • Chosen guardians
  • Close relatives acting as carers
  • Private foster carers
  • Adults regularly living with chosen guardians
  • Guardianship organisations
  • Private schools sponsoring Child Students
  • Immigration advisers helping with Child Student applications

What changed in the latest version

Before

The Child Student rules already had detailed requirements for study, parental permission, and where children would live and be cared for. The changes made in August 2026 add to these existing rules. They do not replace the visa type completely. The old suitability rules also checked criminal convictions of a child's proposed carers. This included prison sentences. The main change from Statement of Changes HC 259 was to clearly include suspended sentences in these rules.

After

The Child Student route is for people aged 4 to 17 who want to study at a private school in the UK. The school must be a student sponsor. People aged 16 or 17 can choose to apply as a Child Student for a private school or as a Student. They can do this if their course is at or above Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 or Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 6. To apply to come to the UK (entry clearance), applicants must use the "Child Student visa" form. To apply to stay in the UK (permission to stay), applicants must use the "Child Student" form. To make a valid application, people must pay fees and the Immigration Health Charge. They must also provide their biometric information and identity documents. They must have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The CAS must be issued no more than 6 months before the application date. Applicants must be aged between 4 and 17 on the date they apply. Specific care, living, and guardianship arrangements must be in place to keep the applicant safe. Applicants are assessed on a points system. They need 50 points for study and 20 points for money, making 70 points in total. Study points come from the CAS, the course, studying at a private school, the applicant's age, and parental permission. The CAS must come from a valid private school sponsor. It must not have been used in an earlier successful application. Courses must match the National Curriculum, RQF, or similar standards. Or, they must follow independent school inspection rules. Parents must give their permission. If the child lives with a chosen guardian, a close relative, or a private foster carer, that person must be a British citizen or settled in the UK. Financial requirements depend on where the child will live and how long they have already spent in the UK. Applicants must have enough money for outstanding course and boarding fees for one academic year. If they live with a private foster carer or close relative, they also need £570 per month for up to 9 months.

The Child Student route is the UK's specific immigration route for children aged 4 to 17 who attend eligible private schools. The updated rules create a detailed framework to decide if a child can come to or stay in the UK for this reason. The requirements are important because admission to a UK school is not the only thing needed. The child must get 70 points, have the correct Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), get parental permission, meet the money requirements, and show that proper care and living arrangements will be available in the UK. The rules also give immigration importance to the suitability of adults caring for the child. A chosen guardian, a close relative, a private foster carer, or an adult regularly living with a chosen guardian can affect the child's application outcome if specific criminal record issues apply. For families thinking about UK boarding or private school education, this means they must consider school admission, immigration eligibility, money, and safeguarding arrangements all together.

Explained simply

Imagine you're a kid from another country wanting to come study at a private school in the UK. The rules about who looks after you while you're here have gotten a bit stricter. Now, the grown-up who is your guardian (like a family member or a special helper arranged by a company) must be a British citizen or already have permanent permission to live in the UK. Also, if that grown-up, or anyone else living in their house, has certain criminal records, your application to study might be rejected. It's like making sure your 'home-stay' family is extra safe and officially approved by the UK government.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v4Effective 3 Aug 2026PublishedHigh impact
    UK Immigration Rules Appendix Child Student: Updated Requirements for Care Arrangements and Guardianship

    The UK Immigration Rules Appendix Child Student sets rules for people aged 4 to 17 who want to study at a private school in the UK. This visa type is separate from the main Student visa. Applicants must have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed private school. They must also meet strict rules for care and where they will live, and their parents must agree. Applicants need 70 points in total. 50 points are for study and 20 points are for having enough money. The money needed changes based on where the child will live. People aged 16 or 17 can apply either as a Child Student or as a Student. This depends on the level of their course. Applicants must use specific forms, pay fees, and provide their biometric information, such as fingerprints.

Other routes in this country

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