Which British School

Visas and Guardianship

Updated · Reviewed by our senior leadership team and highly experienced consultants

International students coming to a British boarding school usually need a visa and a UK guardian. This page explains the essentials. Visa rules and fees change, so always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK before you apply.

Who needs a visa?

A child who is not a British or Irish citizen needs a visa to study at a UK school, unless they already have permission to live in the UK. For example, EU, EEA and Swiss nationals with settled or pre-settled status do not need one. Since 1 January 2021, EU citizens without settled or pre-settled status have needed a visa in the same way as other nationalities.

The Child Student visa

Children aged 4 to 17 who will study at an independent school in the UK apply for a Child Student visa. Students aged 16 or 17 may in some cases apply for a Student visa instead. The school will confirm which applies.

The usual steps are:

  1. Accept the offer and pay the deposit. The amount varies from school to school. Some families choose to pay the first year’s fees at the same time.
  2. Receive a CAS. The school, as a licensed student sponsor, issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number. This confirms that it will sponsor your child’s visa.
  3. Apply online. From outside the UK you can apply up to six months before the course starts. You will need the CAS, your child’s passport, written consent from both parents or legal guardians, and evidence that you can pay the course fees and living costs. Your child will also need to give fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre, or use the UK Immigration: ID Check app if eligible.
  4. Pay the fees. From 8 April 2026 the Child Student visa application fee is £558. Most applicants also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, currently £776 for each year of the visa, which gives access to the NHS.

Decisions from outside the UK usually take about three weeks. Apply as early as you can, especially in the summer when demand is high.

Our School Placement service includes guidance through the visa process. Specialist immigration advisers can also help with the application.

Guardianship

Almost all boarding schools require international pupils to have a UK-based guardian. Most require one for the whole time the pupil is at the school, not only while they are under 16. You will need to give the guardian’s details to the school before your child starts, and you may need them for the visa application.

A guardian is the school’s local point of contact and your child’s support in the UK. Schools often ask that the guardian is at least 25 years old and lives within about two hours of the school. A guardian will typically:

  • Look after your child during exeat weekends and half-term holidays, or arrange a suitable host family
  • Arrange travel, including airport transfers when the school does not provide them
  • Look after your child if they are unwell and cannot stay at school
  • Attend parents’ evenings and school events if you cannot
  • Act as the emergency contact whenever the school needs a responsible adult

Younger pupils, especially at prep school (ages 7 to 13), need a more hands-on guardian. Older students need less day-to-day help, but schools still expect regular contact between the school, the student and the guardian.

Schools are not responsible for pupils during the longer holidays at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. If your child stays in the UK then, they must be with you or with a guardian or host family approved by the school.

Choosing a guardianship provider

Look for a provider accredited by AEGIS (the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students), which inspects guardianship organisations against standards for safeguarding and care. Your child’s school may also have a list of preferred providers.

WBS Guardians is AEGIS accredited. We know both the schools and the children in our care, and we provide a 24-hour emergency line. Read about our guardianship service and our policies and safeguarding.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

Can a 16 or 17-year-old use a Student visa instead of a Child Student visa?

Yes, in some cases. A 16 or 17-year-old studying at A level standard or above can choose either route. The adult Student visa needs proof of English, for example a Secure English Language Test at B1; the Child Student visa does not. The school will advise which suits.

How much money do we need to show for a Child Student visa?

For a boarding pupil you show you can pay the course and boarding fees for one academic year (up to nine months). Different amounts apply if the child will live with a parent or a foster carer. The money must be held for 28 days in a row before you apply.

Does the guardian need to be named on the visa application?

The application must show your child's living and care arrangements in the UK, with both parents' consent. A guardianship organisation can confirm its arrangements if the individual host is not yet known.