What are the UK immigration visa requirements for schools?

Private schools in the UK play a significant role in the attracting international students, but to enrol those requiring a visa , they must comply with strict immigration regulations.  The UK Home Office requires private schools to obtain student sponsorship licences. With recent changes to visa requirements and sponsorship guidance, schools must remain compliant while efficiently managing their obligations as licensed sponsors.

Child Student Visa

The  Child Student Visa is designed for children aged 4 to 17 who wish to study at an independent or private school that holds a valid student sponsor licence from the Home Office. Schools that sponsor international students must comply with strict immigration regulations to retain their sponsorship status. This article explores the obligation placed on Student Sponsor Licence holders.

Child Student Visa Requirements

Appendix Child Student provide the legal framework to be followed by students applying for a visa. To qualify for a Child Student Visa, applicants must:

• Be between 4 and 17 years old at the date of the application.
• Have an unconditional offer from a licensed independent school.
• Have suitable arrangements for care and accommodation.
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover tuition and living costs.
• Obtain parental or legal guardian consent.

International students are providing a significant source of income for UK education providers, as well as increasing diversity in the community. = In order to sponsor international child students around the world, your educational institution must be a License Student Sponsor approved by the Home Office. This status ensures that child students can be issued with the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which enables them to study in the UK.

How much money do you need – Child Student Visa

Course fees

You need to show you have enough money to pay your course fees. These are shown on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Your education provider will send your CAS when they offer you a place on a course.

Living costs

The amount of money you need for living costs depends on where you live.

If you board at a residential independent school

You need enough money to pay boarding fees for one academic year.

If you live during term time with a foster carer or close relative who is a UK resident or British citizen

The person you are living with needs £570 for each month of your course (up to a maximum of 9 months).

If you live with a parent or legal guardian who has a Parent of a Child Student visa

You need:

• £1,560 for each month of the visa (up to a maximum of 9 months) for the first child accompanying the parent
• £625 for each month of the visa (up to a maximum of 9 months) for each additional child

If you live independently as a 16 or 17 year old

You need:

• £1,023 for each month of your course (up to a maximum of 9 months), if you’re studying outside London
• £1,334 for each month of your course (up to a maximum of 9 months), if you’re studying in London

Please note the financial requirements are always subject to change. Please visit the UKVI website or Immigration Rules to check the financial requirements at the time of application.

Applications for the Child Student Visa must be made within six months of receiving a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the sponsoring school. The exact requirements you will need to satisfy in order to qualify as a UK Child Student will vary depending on your circumstances. To discuss your UK Child Student visa application, please contact our team.

School Sponsorship and Compliance Duties

Independent schools that sponsor international students must adhere to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) rules to maintain their licence. Key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring Genuine Student Applications: Schools must verify that students intend to study and meet the required academic and financial criteria.
• Maintaining Accurate Records: Schools must keep updated records of students’ enrolment, attendance, and contact details.
• Monitoring Student Attendance: Any prolonged absences or withdrawal must be reported to UKVI within the required timeframe.
• Ensuring Educational Standards: Schools must meet the Home Office’s education quality standards and pass regular inspections.

Reporting Obligations for Sponsors

Schools must report specific changes and issues to UKVI, including:

• Failure of a student to enrol within 10 working days.
• Unauthorised absences of over 10 consecutive working days.
• Withdrawals, deferrals, or significant changes in student status.
• Any changes to the school’s sponsorship arrangements or licence.

Failure to comply with reporting obligations can result in fines, suspension, or revocation of the sponsor licence.

Common Compliance Challenges for Schools

1. Misuse of the CAS

Issuing CAS to students who do not meet visa requirements can result in sponsor licence suspension or revocation.

2. High Visa Refusal Rates

Repeated visa refusals linked to a school may indicate poor screening processes and could lead to a compliance investigation.

3. Changes in Immigration Regulations

Schools must stay informed about policy updates to ensure continued compliance with UKVI rules.

Maintaining Compliance: How We Can Help

Navigating sponsorship obligations can be complex. Our firm offers tailored legal support to help schools maintain their sponsor licence, including:

Staff training on compliance, reporting duties, and CAS issuance. Management System (SMS) effectively. Staff assigned to key sponsor roles must be well-trained to maintain compliance. Training services include:

• Role-specific training for Authorising Officers, Key Contacts, and Level 1 and 2 Users.
• Best practices for managing CAS allocations and fulfilling reporting duties.
• Ongoing training to stay updated on changes in student visa rules and sponsor guidance.

Mock audits to identify risks and prepare for UKVI inspections. We can carry out a lock audit of your school, college or university, to check that you are fully prepared and your student sponsor licence application goes smoothly well.

Expert guidance on handling UKVI audits and visa-related issues. We will also interview staff who will be named as Key Personally on your sponsor licence.

Supporting Sponsored Students – to enhance visa success rates for students, institutions can access tailored visa support services including:

• Reviewing supporting documents for compliance
• Assisting with online visa applications and guidance on visa conditions.
• Helping parents apply for Parent of a Child Student visa
• Role-specific training for Authorising Officers, Key Contacts, and Level 1 and 2 Users.
• Best practices for managing CAS allocations and fulfilling reporting duties.

Supporting When Issues Arise – if an institution fails a compliance assessment or faces Home Office action, quick intervention is essential. Support includes

• Addressing sponsor breaches and implementing necessary changes
• Challenging Home Office decisions and seeking reinstatement of sponsorship status
• Negotiation action plans to remedy compliance issues.

By ensuring strict compliance with immigration regulations, schools can continue to sponsor international students successfully and avoid penalties.

Recruiting teachers

The UK Skilled Worker visa route offers a “new entrant” salary threshold for teachers who meet specific criteria, making it easier for schools to recruit early-career educators. To qualify as a new entrant, teachers must be under 26, switching from a Student visa, or working towards professional qualifications. They benefit from a lower salary threshold of £30 960 compared to experienced teachers, reducing the financial burden on sponsoring schools. However, they must still meet minimum salary and occupational skill level requirements set by the Home Office. Understanding these provisions helps schools attract fresh talent while ensuring compliance with UK immigration rules

As schools increasingly rely on international talent to fill teaching and administrative roles, navigating the complexities of the UK’s Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) processes has become more critical than ever. With recent changes to sponsorship guidance, schools must remain compliant while efficiently managing their obligations as licensed sponsors. See our publication – Sponsorship guidance for schools for more detail.

Stay Ahead of Compliance Challenges

Schools that sponsor Child Student Visa applicants must meet rigorous compliance duties to retain their licence. Adhering to immigration laws, accurately monitoring student activity, and fulfilling reporting obligations are essential. Our legal team provides expert support to help schools navigate these responsibilities through training, audits, and compliance assistance.