On 5 October 2020, the new Student and Child visa route was introduced by the Home Office to replace the existing Tier 4 (General) student and Tier 4 (Child) student routes.
What is the new Student and Child visa route?
The new Student and Child visa route is part of the new UK points-based system, which is designed to cover all non-British and non-Irish nationals including EEA and Swiss nationals. Students who are 16 or over can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK. If you or your child is between 4 and 17 years old, they can apply for a Child Student visa to study in the UK.
What has changed?
The most significant change is that the visa route is now open for all EEA and Swiss nationals entering the UK from 1 January 2021. All non-British and non-Irish nationals not already resident in the UK prior to the EU transitional period, must apply for a student or child student visa to study here.
EEA and Swiss nationals living the UK before 31 December 2020 can still enjoy their right to freedom of movement. However, they will need to apply to secure their status under the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021. You can read more about EU Settlement Scheme here.
The new Student and Child Student visa route also simplifies visa requirements and the application process. This allows overseas applicants to have a longer time to make applications with certain exceptions on the financial, English and Academic documentation requirements.
EEA and Swiss nationals who wish to come and study in the UK from 1 January 2021 must apply for a visa as part of the UK’s end of free movement with the EU.
What are the requirements to apply and to study in the UK?
Student UK Visa Requirements
Student visa requirements:
- Course requirement: You must have an unconditional offer to study in the UK from a Home Office approved sponsor.
- Financial Requirement: You must have enough money to pay for the course and meet the financial requirement. Applicants need to have £1,265/month (for up to 9 months) to study in London and £1,015/month (for up to 9 months) to study outside London to support yourself in the UK. If you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months immediately before the date of your application, you are deemed to have met the financial requirement.
- English language requirement: You must prove your English language skills are above CEFR Level B2 if your course is at Degree level or above, and CEFR Level B1 if your course is below degree level.
Child student visa requirements:
- Course requirement: You must have an unconditional offer to study in the UK from a Home Office approved sponsor.
- Financial Requirement: You must have enough money to pay for the course and meet the financial requirement. How much money you need depends on whether you will live with your parent or guardian or with a foster carer or relative or boarding. If living with your parent or guardian, you need to have money to pay for your course fees for one academic year and £1,560 / month (for up to 9 months) for both you and your parent. If staying with a foster carer or close relative, you need to have money to pay for your course fees and £570 / month for living costs. If boarding at an independent school, you need to have money for the course fees and your boarding fees for one academic year.
- English language requirement: There is no English language requirement for Child student applicants.
When should I apply?
- If applying from outside the UK – up to 6 months before you start your course
- If applying from inside the UK – up to 3 months before you start your course
How long does it take?
- From outside the UK – normally within 3 weeks post submission. You may able to use Priority Service or Super Priority Service to get a decision within 5 working days or within 24 hours.
- From inside the UK – normally within 8 weeks post submission. The Priority Service and Super Priority Service are currently suspended because of COVID-19, but you may be able to use those once they are reopened again and to get your decision within 5 working days or within 24 hours.
How can we help?
Our experts have assisted numerous students and their parents to get their visas in time for a new course, so please get in touch if you or your children are enrolling on a course in the UK and need assistance with a visa.
If you are a Student Course provider and would like to know the impacts of the new rules on your Sponsor licence, our experts are also here to assist and to make sure you are compliant with the new UK points-based system.
Please contact Taylor Hampton’s immigration solicitors today on 020 7427 5972 or submit an enquiry here. You can also get in touch or follow us for similar content on our social media accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or WeChat.
