Child Student visa
Extend your visa
You may be able to apply to extend your Child Student visa to stay longer in the UK. This includes if you currently have a Tier 4 (Child) student visa.
To extend your visa you must:
- be in the UK on a Child Student visa (or a Tier 4 (Child) student visa)
- have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Child Student sponsor - shown by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
If you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for less than 12 months, you’ll need to prove you have enough money to support yourself.
When to apply
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.
You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin with 28 days of your current visa expiring.
For example, if your visa expires on 1 December, you must apply for a new visa before 1 December. Your new course must begin by 29 December.
You must also apply within 6 months of getting a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
You can stay in the UK until you get your decision.
If you applied for an administrative review because your application was refused, you can stay in the UK until you get your review decision.
Fees
You’ll need to pay:
- £490 to extend this visa
- the healthcare surcharge - check how much you’ll have to pay
You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this.
Apply
You must apply online.
As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.
How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document (you will also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration account)
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
How long it takes to get a decision
A decision will usually be made within 8 weeks.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply.
After you apply
You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:
- your supporting documents need to be verified
- you need to attend an interview (if you’re 16 or 17)
- of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)
If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to withdraw your application by contacting UKVI. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
If your application is successful
If your application is successful, you’ll get either:
- a biometric residence permit - if you gave your biometric information at a UKVCAS centre
- a digital immigration status which you can view and prove online - if you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app