I want to send my child from Türkiye to a boarding school in the UK: how does the Child Student visa work?

Who does this apply to?

• This is general information. It does not assess anyone's personal situation. It is for families thinking of sending a child from Türkiye to a private school in England (boarding or day). It is based on the GOV.UK "Child Student visa" and "Student visa: money" pages (October 2026).

Who can apply?

• Children aged 4 to 17. Those aged 18 or over apply for a Student visa.
• You need: an unconditional offer from a school with a licensed Child Student sponsor, a suitable place to live in the UK, enough money to support yourself and pay for the course, and proof that your parent or legal guardian consents to you studying and living in the UK.
• The child can attend an independent school; or, only through the Erasmus+ programme, a participating academy or local authority school. They cannot study at a further or higher education institution.

Time and fee

• The application fee is £558. You also pay the healthcare surcharge (IHS), which depends on the visa length.
• From outside the UK, apply up to 6 months before the course starts. A decision usually takes about 3 weeks. Times from inside the UK differ.
• A child under 16 when applying can stay for the course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months. A child of 16 or 17 can stay for the course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months.
• The child can arrive up to one month before the course starts, but not before the start date on the visa.

Money

• The Student visa money page says that for a student at a residential independent school, the boarding fees shown on the "Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies" (CAS) are paid instead of the living cost amount.

What is not allowed

• No public funds (benefits), no full-time permanent job or self-employment, no work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, no application for settlement, and no dependants.
• A child aged 16 or over can work up to 10 hours a week part-time during term, and full-time in holidays.

If a parent wants to come with the child

• GOV.UK says a parent must apply separately for a Parent of a Child Student visa. Its conditions are not covered here; see the official page. If the application names an accompanying adult, that adult must be with the child at the border; if not, the border official will check that the child knows where they are going and how.

Choosing a school

• For private schools, check registration (the DfE register) and inspection (Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate). The school must hold a Child Student sponsor licence for the visa.
• Where and in what boarding conditions the child will live is a critical decision. Read the written contract; guardian arrangements differ from school to school and are not covered by an official source here.

Points to watch

• Official pages and fees change. This post is a general summary.

What can you do?

• Read the whole Child Student visa page.
• Check the boarding fee on Student visa: money.
• For personal immigration questions, find a registered adviser: GOV.UK: Find an immigration adviser. Money paid to an unregulated adviser cannot be recovered.