Turkish Worker visa

Overview

You can apply to extend your Turkish Worker visa if you already have permission to stay in the UK as a Turkish Worker.

Eligibility

You can only extend your visa if you’re already in the UK.

You’ll need to meet the eligibility requirements to extend your visa.

How long you can stay

The length of time you can apply to extend your stay for and what job you can do depends on how long you’ve legally worked in the UK.

How long you’ve worked in the UK | Length of permission to be in the UK | What you can do

3 to 4 years | Up to 1 year | Change employer, but in the same occupation

4+ years | Up to 3 years | Work in any occupation for any employer

You must apply from within the UK before your current permission to stay expires.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.

After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle in the UK permanently (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

How to apply

You must apply to extend your visa online.

Your partner and children (‘dependants’) can apply separately to extend their dependant visas, if they already have them.

How long it takes

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa extension within 6 months.

How much it costs

There’s no fee to apply to extend your visa.

What you can and cannot do

With a Turkish Worker visa extension you can:

include your family (‘dependants’) on this extension if they’re already in the UK and have a dependant visa

study

do voluntary work

apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

You cannot:

apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Turkish Worker visa.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for an extension of your Turkish Worker visa you need to:

have a valid Turkish Worker visa

show you have not broken any immigration laws

Documents you’ll need to apply

When you apply to extend your visa you’ll need to provide:

a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality

a biometric residence permit showing your Turkish Worker visa

proof of all your employment during your current stay in the UK, including payslips and bank statements for the whole period you’ve worked here

You’ll need to have a blank page in your passport on which to put the visa.

If you’re an au pair, you can provide a letter from your host family if you do not have payslips and bank statements.

You may be asked to get a police certificate for yourself and your family in the UK if you or they don’t already have one.

Your job

You should also provide evidence that shows you have been legally employed in the UK with the same employer for at least 3 years, and you’re planning to:

carry on doing the same type of job, if you’ve been legally employed for between 3 and 4 years

work for any employer doing any job, if you’ve been legally employed for 4 years or longer

Evidence can include things like a letter from your current or prospective employer, or a current job application letter.

Extend your visa

You can usually apply to extend a Turkish Worker visa if you’re in the UK and all of the following are true:

you have a valid Turkish Worker visa

you can show you have not broken any immigration laws

Your partner or children will need to apply separately, including children who have turned 21 during your stay.

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.

Fees

There’s no fee to apply to extend your visa.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

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 - this is to get a biometric residence permit

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to extend your Turkish Worker visa

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend an interview

of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to extend their permission to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. To do this, they must have a valid dependant visa.

Your children or those of your partner can apply to come to the UK if you have a Turkish Worker visa. They’ll need to apply for a visa as your dependant.

If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner

your child under 21 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

your child over 21 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove that either:

you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

Your child

Your child must:

live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)

not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children

be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:

a bank statement

credit card bills

driving licence

NHS registration document

an official letter from their university or college

Documents you must provide

For each dependant in the UK applying to extend you must have:

a biometric residence permit (BRP) showing their current dependant visa

bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months showing you can support them

a police registration certificate if your dependants were asked to register with the police when they came to the UK

If you’re the only parent of any dependants aged under 18 in the UK, you must provide legal documents or written permission from their other parent showing you legally have sole responsibility.

Applying inside the UK (extend)

Your partner or children who are already in the UK can apply to extend their visa.

Your partner or child will need to apply separately (including children who have turned 21 during your stay).

How to apply

If the dependant is your partner, they must apply online as a partner.

You need to apply online for your child.

They’ll need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity. They’ll either:

have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point - this is to get a biometric residence permit

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document - they’ll also create or sign in to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.

They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 6 months.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision - they’ll be told if they can when they apply.

Applying from outside the UK

If you’re already in the UK and want your child to join you, they must apply online for a dependant visa.

Proving their identity

As part of their application, your children (or your partner’s children), will need to prove their identity. They’ll either:

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 12 weeks.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You can apply online for their dependant visa. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply for their dependant visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.


UK visa sponsorship for employers

Overview

You’ll usually need a sponsor licence to employ someone to work for you from outside the UK. This includes citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland who arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020.

This includes unpaid work, like running a charity.

You will not need a licence to sponsor certain groups, for example:

Irish citizens

those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

those with indefinite leave to remain in the UK

Read more about who does not need sponsorship.

Sponsoring someone does not guarantee that they’ll be allowed to come to or stay in the UK.

How to get a sponsor licence

Check your business is eligible.

Choose the type of licence you want to apply for - this will depend on what type of worker you want to sponsor.

Decide who will manage sponsorship within your business.

Apply online and pay the fee.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may visit your business to check it’s suitable.

After you apply

You’ll be given a licence rating if your application is successful.

You’ll be able to issue certificates of sponsorship if you have jobs that are suitable for sponsorship.

Your licence will be valid for 4 years. You may lose your licence if you do not meet your responsibilities as a sponsor.

Eligibility

To get a licence, you cannot have:

unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or certain other crimes, such as fraud or money laundering

had a sponsor licence revoked in the last 12 months

You’ll need appropriate systems in place to monitor sponsored employees.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will review your application form and supporting documents. They may visit your business to make sure you’re trustworthy and capable of carrying out your duties.

Types of licence

The licence you need depends on whether the workers you want to fill your jobs are:

‘Workers’ - for those with long-term job offers

‘Temporary workers’

You can apply for a licence covering one or both types of worker.

Worker licence

A ‘Worker’ licence will let you employ people long-term or permanently. It’s split into:

Skilled Worker - the role must meet the job suitability requirements

Intra-company visas - this includes Intra-company Transfer and Intra-company Graduate Trainee, for multinational companies which need to transfer established employees or graduate trainees to the UK

Minister of Religion - for people coming to work for a religious organisation

Sportsperson - for elite sportspeople and coaches who will be based in the UK

Temporary Worker licence

A ‘Temporary Worker’ licence will let you employ people on a temporary basis. It’s split into:

Creative or Sporting Worker - to work as a high-level sportsperson (up to 1 year), entertainer or artist (up to 2 years)

Charity Worker - for unpaid workers at a charity (up to 1 year)

Religious Worker - for those working in a religious order or organisation (2 years)

Government Authorised Exchange Worker - work experience (1 year), research projects or training, for example practical medical or scientific training (2 years) to enable a short-term exchange of knowledge

International Agreement Worker - where the worker is coming to do a job which is covered by international law, for example employees of overseas governments

Seasonal Worker - for those coming to the UK for up to 6 months to do farm work

Sponsorship management roles

You need to appoint people within your business to manage the sponsorship process when you apply for a licence.

The main tool they’ll use is the sponsorship management system (SMS).

The roles are:

authorising officer – a senior and competent person responsible for the actions of staff and representatives who use the SMS

key contact – your main point of contact with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

level 1 user – responsible for all day-to-day management of your licence using the SMS

These roles can be filled by the same person or different people.

You can also appoint an optional level 2 user once you have your licence. This is an SMS user with more restricted access than a level 1 user, for example they cannot withdraw a certificate of sponsorship.

Suitability checks

You and your staff will be checked to make sure you’re suitable for these roles. You may not get your licence if anyone involved in sponsorship has:

an unspent criminal conviction

been fined by UKVI in the past 12 months

been reported to UKVI

broken the law

been a ‘key person’ at a sponsor that had its licence revoked in the last 12 months

failed to pay VAT or other excise duty

You and your allocated staff must also:

be based in the UK most of the time

not be a contractor or consultant contracted for a specific project

not be subject to a bankruptcy restriction order or undertaking, or a debt relief restriction order or undertaking

not have a history of non-compliance with sponsor requirements

Your allocated staff must usually be paid members of staff, or office holders.

Read the full guidance on appointing ‘key personnel’.

HR contractors and agency staff

You must have at least one level 1 user who is your employee. You can have other level 1 or level 2 users employed by third-party organisations contracted to provide you with HR services. Your level 2 user can be a temporary member of staff supplied by an agency.

UK-based legal representatives

You can allocate any of the roles to a UK-based legal representative, apart from the authorising officer role. Your representative must be qualified to give immigration advice or services.

Apply for your licence

You need to apply online for your licence.

Once you’ve finished the online application, you need to send in:

the submission sheet at the end of the application

your supporting documents

Any affidavits or statutory declarations you send must be witnessed by a qualified, independent person - for example, a solicitor, Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Oaths, or (in Scotland only) a Councillor.

Apply now

How to send the documents

You can scan or take pictures of your submission sheet and supporting documents and send them to the email address given on the submission sheet. Make sure your files:

are in PDF, JPEG or PNG format

have descriptive titles, with 25 or fewer characters

are high enough quality to be read

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, they must be accompanied by a certified translation - there’s more information in part 1 of the guidance for sponsors.

If you cannot scan and send the documents by email, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) using the contact details on the submission sheet.

Licence fees

You need to pay a fee when you apply. The fee depends on the type of licence you’re applying for and what type of organisation you are.

You’re usually a small sponsor if two of the following apply:

your annual turnover is £10.2 million or less

your total assets are worth £5.1 million or less

you have 50 employees or fewer

You’re a charitable sponsor if you’re either:

a registered, excepted or exempt charity

an ecclesiastical corporation established for charitable purposes

Contact the Business Helpdesk if you’re unsure which category your business fits into.

Type of licence | Fee for small or charitable sponsors | Fee for medium or large sponsors

Worker | £536 | £1,476

Temporary Worker | £536 | £536

Worker and Temporary Worker | £536 | £ 1,476

Add a Worker licence to an existing Temporary Worker licence | No fee | £940

Add a Temporary Worker licence to an existing Worker licence | No fee | No fee

How long it takes to get a decision

Most applications (8 out of 10) are dealt with in less than 8 weeks. UKVI may need to visit your business.

You may be able to pay £500 to get a decision within 10 working days. You’ll be told if you can after you apply.

Applications refused because of a mistake

You can apply to request a review of your application if you think it was refused because:

the caseworker processing your application made a mistake

your supporting documents were not considered

You cannot apply just because you disagree with the decision.

Help and advice

Sponsors can get advice from the sponsorship, employer and education helpline:

You can also join the premium customer service scheme to get extra support from a licence manager - this costs at least £8,000 a year.

UK businesses and Tier 1 (Investors) can get help from the Business Helpdesk:

Your licence rating

You’ll get an A-rated licence if your application is approved.

A-rating - full sponsor licence

An A-rated licence lets you start assigning certificates of sponsorship.

Your business will be listed in the register of sponsors.

Downgrading to B-rating

Your A-rated licence may be downgraded to a B-rating at a later stage if you do not continue to meet your sponsor duties.

If this happens, you will not be able to issue new certificates of sponsorship until you’ve made improvements and upgraded back to an A-rating.

You’ll still be able to issue certificates to workers you already employ who want to extend their permission to stay.

Upgrade to an A-rating

You need to follow an ‘action plan’ provided by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to upgrade your licence.

You have to pay £1,476 for an action plan.

You must pay the fee within 10 working days of the date UKVI tells you about the downgrade. If you do not, you’ll lose your licence.

At the end of the action plan

You’ll be upgraded to an A-rating if you complete all the steps and there’s nothing else you need to improve.

You’ll lose your licence if you do not complete all the steps.

If you need to make other improvements, you’ll be given another B-rating and will have to follow a new action plan. You’ll have to pay the fee again.

If you get a second B-rating

You can only have 2 B-ratings in the 4 years that your licence is valid.

You’ll lose your licence if you still need to make improvements after your second action plan.

How to reapply

You cannot appeal if your licence is revoked, but you can reapply. You have to wait at least 12 months before reapplying.

You need to start a new application when you reapply.

Certificates of sponsorship

You must assign a certificate of sponsorship to each foreign worker you employ. This is an electronic record, not a physical document. Each certificate has its own number which a worker can use to apply for a visa.

When you assign the certificate to a worker, they must use it to apply for their visa within 3 months. They must not apply for their visa more than 3 months before the start date of the job listed on the certificate.

Defined certificates

These are for people applying on a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK.

You must apply for defined certificates for these workers through the sponsorship management system (SMS). You’ll get access to this when you get your licence.

When you get the certificate

Applications are usually approved within one working day. It may take longer if UKVI need to carry out further checks on the information in your application.

Defined certificates will appear in your SMS account once they have been approved. You can then assign them to a worker.

Undefined certificates

These are for Skilled Workers applying from inside the UK, and applicants on all other visas.

When you apply for your licence you’ll be asked to estimate how many undefined certificates you’ll need for Workers and Temporary Workers in the first year.

Certificate costs

Certificates are free for citizens of the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.

For other citizens, you need to pay for each certificate.

Type of certificate | Cost per certificate

Worker | £199

Temporary Worker | £21

If you assign a certificate of sponsorship to a worker on a Skilled Worker or Intra-company Transfer visa, you might also need to pay the immigration skills charge.

Immigration skills charge

You might have to pay an additional charge when you assign a certificate of sponsorship to someone applying for a Skilled Worker or Intra-company Transfer visa. This is called the ‘immigration skills charge’.

You must pay the immigration skills charge if they’re applying for a visa from:

outside the UK to work in the UK for 6 months or more

inside the UK for any length of time

When you do not need to pay

You will not pay the immigration skills charge if you’re sponsoring someone:

on an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa

who is on a visa to study in the UK, and switches to a Skilled Worker or Intra-company Transfer visa - if they then extend their stay on the new visa, you will not have to pay the charge

You will also not have to pay the charge if you’re sponsoring someone with one of the following occupation codes:

chemical scientists (2111)

biological scientists and biochemists (2112)

physical scientists (2113)

social and humanities scientists (2114)

natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified (2119)

research and development managers (2150)

higher education teaching professionals (2311)

clergy (2444)

sports players (3441)

sports coaches, instructors or officials (3442)

You also might not have to pay the charge if you’re sponsoring a worker who was assigned a certificate before 6 April 2017 - there’s more information in part 2 of the guidance for sponsors.

You will not need to pay the charge for any of the worker’s dependants, for example their partner or child.

If the person you’re sponsoring changes jobs

If you’ve assigned a certificate of sponsorship to someone in your organisation, who then moves to a new job in your organisation, you’ll need to assign them a new certificate. They will use this to apply for a new visa.

You only need to do this if the new job has a different occupation code.

You’ll need to pay the immigration skills charge again if the end date on their new visa is later than the end date on their existing visa.

How to pay

You pay the immigration skills charge when you assign a certificate of sponsorship to the worker.

How much it costs

The amount you need to pay is based on:

the size of your organisation

how long the worker will work for you, using the start and end dates on their sponsorship certificate

Period | Small or charitable sponsors | Medium or large sponsors

First 12 months | £364 | £1,000

Each additional 6 months | £182 | £500

If the worker will be in the UK for longer than 6 months but less than a year, you must pay for at least 12 months.

You must pay the full charge in one go.

Contact the Business Helpdesk if you’re not sure which category your business fits into.

As the longest you can sponsor a worker for is 5 years, the most you have to pay will be:

£1,820 (5 x £364) if you’re a small or charitable sponsor

£5,000 (5 x £1,000) if you’re a medium or large sponsor

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will contact you if you do not pay the charge or pay the wrong amount. You’ll have 10 working days to pay the charge - the worker’s visa application will be refused if you do not.

Refunds

You’ll get a full refund if the worker’s visa application is:

refused or withdrawn

successful, but they do not come to work for you

You’ll get a partial refund if the worker:

gets less time on their visa than you sponsored them for

starts working for you but then changes to another sponsor

leaves their job before the end date on their certificate of sponsorship

You’ll also get a partial refund if you paid the medium or large sponsor fee when assigning the certificate, but had already notified UKVI that you’re now a small or charitable sponsor.

How long it takes

You usually get a refund within 90 days of:

telling UKVI that the worker did not come to work for you

the expiration date on the worker’s certificate of sponsorship, if they did not use it to apply for a visa

the date the worker’s visa application is refused or withdrawn

the date you assigned the certificate of sponsorship, if you had already notified UKVI that you became a small or charitable sponsor

If the worker’s visa application is refused, they can ask for the decision to be reviewed.
This is known as an ‘administrative review’.

If they do not ask for an administrative review, you’ll get a refund within 90 days of the deadline for applying for one.

You’ll get a refund within 90 days of the administrative review being dismissed if the worker applied for one and were unsuccessful.

Contact UKVI if your refund is not paid within 90 days.

Job suitability

You can sponsor a worker if the job they’re going to do has a suitable rate of pay and skill level, or meets the other criteria needed for their visa.

Additional requirements for religious workers

You’ll usually have to advertise any job you offer to someone with a Religious Worker visa, unless it’s a non-essential position or involves living within a religious order (such as a monk or nun).

When you do not need to advertise the job, you need to have records showing that there is not a suitable person who does not require sponsorship to take on the role.

There are rules you must follow about how to advertise jobs for religious workers.

Additional requirements for creative workers

Creative jobs done by someone on a Creative or Sporting Worker visa include:

ballet dancers and other dancers

film and TV performers

theatre and opera performers

film and TV workers

models

For creative jobs, you must make sure that either:

you comply with the creative workers code of practice (if it exists for that occupation)

the job is on the shortage occupations list

If the job is not on the shortage occupation list, and there is no code of practice, you need to check that the job cannot be done by a worker who does not need sponsoring.

Additional requirements for sporting workers

For sporting jobs that will be done by someone on either the Creative or Sporting Worker visa or Sportsperson visa, you must get an endorsement letter from the relevant governing body.

Sponsoring under-18s

You cannot sponsor a foreign worker under 18 on:

a Skilled Worker visa

an Intra-company visa

an International Agreement Worker visa, if they’ll be working as a private servant in a diplomatic household or in the household of an employee of an international organisation

a Seasonal Worker visa

You cannot sponsor a child under 16 for a Minister of Religion or Sportsperson visa.

If you’re also a Student sponsor (ATAS certificates)

If you also have a Student sponsor licence, you may need to check whether the worker needs an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Who needs to do this

You need to do this if all of the following are true:

you’re licensed as a Student sponsor

you’re sponsoring the worker for a Skilled Worker, Intra-company Transfer, Intra-company Graduate Trainee, Government Authorised Exchange Worker or International Agreement Worker visa

you’re sponsoring the worker for a role in a relevant occupation code

If any of these do not apply to you, you do not need to do anything.

What you need to do

If you do need to check, you must follow these steps.

Check if the worker needs an ATAS certificate.

Add a sponsor note to your certificate of sponsorship, confirming whether or not the worker needs an ATAS certificate.

If the worker does need an ATAS certificate, you must tell them that they need to get one and include it in their visa application.

Check if the worker needs an ATAS certificate

The worker will need an ATAS certificate if all of the following are true:

they will be carrying out research at PhD level or above

they will be carrying out research in a ‘relevant subject’ - check the relevant subject areas list in the worker sponsor guidance

their nationality is not exempt from needing an ATAS certificate - check the exempt nationalities list in the worker sponsor guidance

If the worker does not need an ATAS certificate

Your sponsor note should say that the worker does not need an ATAS certificate and explain why.

If the worker needs an ATAS certificate

You must:

tell the worker that they need to get an ATAS certificate and include it in their visa application

add a sponsor note to your certificate of sponsorship

make and keep a copy of the ATAS certificate, once it has been issued

Tell the worker that they need an ATAS certificate

Tell the worker that they must apply for an ATAS certificate and include it in their visa application.

If the worker does not include their ATAS certificate, their visa application will be refused and you may lose your sponsor licences.

ATAS certificate applications for workers can take at least 2 weeks to be processed (3 weeks between April and September).

Add a sponsor note to your certificate of sponsorship

Your sponsor note should say that the worker needs an ATAS certificate and mention whether they have already applied for or been issued with one.

Make and keep a copy of the ATAS certificate

When the worker has received their ATAS certificate, you must make and keep a copy of the certificate, or the electronic approval notice the worker received from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Your responsibilities

You must:

check that your foreign workers have the necessary skills, qualifications or professional accreditations to do their jobs, and keep copies of documents showing this

only assign certificates of sponsorship to workers when the job is suitable for sponsorship

tell UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if your sponsored workers are not complying with the conditions of their visa

Your licence may be downgraded, suspended or withdrawn if you do not meet them.

Read the full guidance on sponsor requirements and duties and check workers have the right to work in the UK.

Monitoring employees

You must have HR systems in place that let you:

monitor your employees’ immigration status

keep copies of relevant documents for each employee, including passport and right to work information

track and record employees’ attendance

keep employee contact details up to date

report to UKVI if there is a problem, for example if your employee stops coming to work

Changes to your business

You must report any significant changes in your own circumstances within 20 working days, for example if you:

stop trading or become insolvent

substantially change the nature of your business

are involved in a merger or take-over

You must also tell UKVI if you’re changing your details, like your address or allocated roles.

To register a change of circumstances use the sponsorship management system (SMS).

Requests can take up to 18 weeks. You can register a change within 5 working days instead if you use the priority service. It costs £200.

Sponsoring under-18s

You must make sure that foreign workers under 18 have suitable care arrangements for their:

travel to the UK

arrival in the UK

living arrangements in the UK

You must also get a letter from their parents giving consent to the care arrangements.

You must get a Disclosure and Barring Service check on any of your workers who need it.

You’ll lose your licence if you do not do this.

Children under 16

You must get a licence from the local education authority in the area where the child will work.


Student visa

Overview

You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:

have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor

have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances

can speak, read, write and understand English

have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 - you’ll need evidence of this when you apply

If you’re 16 or 17 and you want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead.

This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. The deadline is 30 June 2021.

Otherwise you need a visa to study in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

When to apply

When you can apply depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

Applying from outside the UK

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.

You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

Applying from inside the UK

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 within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

How long you can stay

How long you can stay depends on the length of your course and what study you’ve already completed.

If you’re 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If it’s below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

Read the guidance to find out exactly how long you can stay.

Staying longer in the UK

You may be able to:

extend your visa if you’re eligible, for example to continue your studies in the UK

switch to a Student visa from another visa if you’re already in the UK

When you can travel to the UK

You can arrive in the UK before your course starts. This can be either:

up to 1 week before, if your course lasts 6 months or less

up to 1 month before, if your course lasts more than 6 months

Fees

It costs:

£348 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK

£475 to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK

You must pay the visa fee for each person that joins you.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

Your partner and children

You may be able to bring your partner and children (‘dependants’).

What you can and cannot do

You can:

study

work as a student union sabbatical officer

You may be able to work - how much depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.

You cannot:

claim public funds (benefits) and pensions

work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson or sports coach

be self-employed

study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school)

If your application is successful, you’ll be told what you can and cannot do on a Student visa.

Your course

You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor.

To prove this, your education provider will send you a reference number (called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)) once they’ve offered you a place on the course. You need a CAS before you can apply for your visa.

Courses you can study

You can do one of the following courses:

a full-time course leading to a qualification that’s below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5) with at least 15 hours a week of organised daytime study

a full-time course leading to a qualification that’s degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8)

a full-time course at degree level or above (RQF level 6,7 or 8) that’s equivalent to a UK higher education course and is being delivered as part of a longer course overseas

a part-time course leading to a qualification that’s above degree level (RQF level 7 or above)

a recognised foundation programme for postgraduate doctors or dentists

an English language course at level B2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

You may also need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re studying or researching sensitive topics at RQF level 7 or above.

The qualification levels are different in Scotland.

You can also apply for this visa if you’re:

taking up a full-time elected position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer

applying to extend your stay on the Doctorate Extension Scheme - you must currently have permission to be in the UK on a Student visa (or a Tier 4 (General) student visa) and your course must lead to a PhD

Postgraduate doctors and dentists

You can apply for this visa if you’re sponsored to do a recognised foundation programme and you’ve:

finished a recognised UK degree in medicine or dentistry

received that degree from a registered student sponsor

spent your final year and at least 1 other year of studies leading to that degree in the UK

Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Once they’ve offered you a place on the course, your education provider will send you a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

You must enter this reference number on your visa application.

You must apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS.

Money you need

You must have enough money to pay for your course and support yourself in the UK.

How much money you need depends on your circumstances and what you’re applying for.

Course fee

You need enough money to pay for your course for 1 academic year (up to 9 months). The amount you need to pay will be on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

If you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, you do not need to prove you have this money for your visa application.

Money to support yourself (‘financial requirement’)

You’ll need to show you have enough money to support yourself - unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date of your application.

How much money you need depends on where you will be studying. You’ll need either:

£1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London

£1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London

If you’re applying for the Doctorate Extension Scheme, and you’ve been in the UK for less than 12 months, you need to prove you have a total of £2,668 for courses in London, or a total of £2,046 for courses outside London.

If you’re boarding at a residential independent school, you’ll need to pay boarding fees instead. The amount you need to pay will be on your CAS.

London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.

You’ll need to prove you have extra money for each family member you bring with you.

You must have this money for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.

If you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you’ll need to provide evidence of this from your loan or sponsorship company.

Read the guidance on finances for student applications for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

When you do not need to prove you have money to support yourself

You do not need to prove the financial requirement if:

you’ve had a UK visa for 12 months prior to the date of your Student visa application - you must currently be in the UK

you’re applying as a student union sabbatical officer

you’re applying as a postgraduate doctor or dentist on a recognised foundation programme

If you’re from a country listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement’

You do not need to prove you have enough money to support yourself if you’re a British national overseas or from one of the following countries or territories:

Australia

Austria

Bahrain

Barbados

Belgium

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei

Bulgaria

Cambodia

Canada

Chile

China

Croatia

Republic of Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

The Dominican Republic

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

Indonesia

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Kazakhstan

Kuwait

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macao

Malaysia

Malta

Mauritius

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Oman

Peru

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Romania

Serbia

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Thailand

Tunisia

United Arab Emirates

United States of America

However, you might be asked to provide this evidence before you get a decision on your application.

If you do need to provide it, you’ll be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) after you’ve submitted your application.

Knowledge of English

You must prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.

You can prove your knowledge of English by:

passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider

having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18

Level of English

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a certain level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

What you’re studying | Level

Degree level or above | Equivalent to CEFR level B2

Below degree level | CEFR level B1

If you’re studying with a Higher Education Provider

If you’re studying at degree level or above, your Higher Education Provider (HEP) can assess your level of English themselves. This means they may ask you to do a different test.

This must still be equivalent to a CEFR level B2.

Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’ve completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of the following countries, or are from one of the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

the Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Dominica

Grenada

Guyana

Ireland

Jamaica

Malta

New Zealand

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

UK

USA

You also do not need to prove your knowledge of English if one of the following applies:

you’re a national of Canada

you’re applying to come to the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the USA

you proved your level of English in a previous visa application

Documents you'll need to apply

When you apply for your Student visa you must provide:

a current passport or other valid travel documentation

a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider

You may also need to provide:

proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - this will vary depending on your circumstances

a valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it

proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18

proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18

your tuberculosis test results

written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances. Read the guidance for the full list of documents you’ll need to provide.

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you need to give your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre. You’ll be told if you need to do this when you apply.

If you’re under 18

If you’re under 18 you’ll need written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent if they have sole responsibility).

This must include their consent for:

your visa application

your living and care arrangements in the UK

your travel to the UK

You’ll also need to provide a copy of your birth certificate (or another government issued document) that shows the names of your parents.

Apply

You must apply online for a Student visa.

Check which documents you’ll need to apply.

Apply outside the UK

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a visa application centre

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Start now

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

If you need to give your biometric information at a visa application centre, you may be able to pay to get a faster decision. Check if your visa application centre offers faster decisions and other services.

Apply inside the UK

You may be able to apply to:

extend your Student visa

switch to a Student visa from another type of visa

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

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.

After you get a decision

If your application is successful, you’ll get either:

a biometric residence permit - if you gave your biometric information at a visa application centre

a digital immigration status which you can view and prove online - if you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app

Find out what happens after you get your decision.

Your partner and children

Your partner and children (‘dependants’) may be able to apply to come to the UK or stay longer in the UK.

You must be one of the following:

a full-time student on a postgraduate level course (RQF level 7 or above) that lasts 9 months or longer

a new government-sponsored student on a course that lasts longer than 6 months

a Doctorate Extension Scheme student

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is one of the following:

your husband, wife or civil partner

your unmarried partner

your child under 18 years old - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply, for example:

a marriage or civil partnership certificate for your partner

a birth certificate for your child

Find out what other documents you can use to prove your relationship.

If your child is 16 or 17

If your child is 16 or 17 on the date you apply you’ll need to prove they are not living an independent life, for example they’re not married or in a civil partnership.

You’ll need to prove:

where they live - if they do not live with you, you’ll need to explain why

any rent or upkeep they pay you each month

that you support them financially if they do not live with you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide 2 of the following documents confirming their address:

a bank statement

credit card bills

driving licence

NHS registration document

an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner and child must each have a certain amount of money available to them. This is in addition to the money you must have to support yourself.

How much money they need depends on where you will be studying. They must have either:

£845 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London

£680 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London

If you’re applying at the same time as your partner or child (you’re applying together as a family), you’ll need to prove you have both money to pay for your course and to support yourself and additional money for each of them.

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you (they’re applying separately) they only need to prove they have money to support themselves.

You (or your partner or child) must have this money for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28 day period must be within 31 days of the date they apply for their visa.

If you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you’ll need to provide evidence of this from your loan or sponsorship company. If your loan does not cover your partner or child, you’ll need to prove you have money to support them instead.

When they do not need to prove they have money to support themselves

Your partner or child does not need to prove they have this money if they’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.

If you and your partner or child are from a country listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement’ and you’re applying at the same time, they do not need to prove they have money to support themselves.

However, they might be asked to provide this evidence before they get a decision on their application.

If they do need to provide it, they’ll be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) after they’ve submitted their application.

Apply outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

apply online as your partner

apply online as your child

They’ll need your application number - you get it when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

As part of their application, they’ll need to have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit).

They’ll have to collect their biometric residence permit within 10 days of when they said they’d arrive in the UK.

They may be able to pay to get their visa faster or use other services depending on which country they’re in - check with the visa application centre.

How long they can stay

If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

Apply inside the UK to extend or switch

Apply for your partner or child’s visa at the same time as you extend or switch your own visa.

If you cannot apply at the same time, your partner or child can apply to extend or switch their visas at a later date - this must be before their current visa expires.

Your partner or child cannot apply to switch in the UK if they have one of the following visas:

a visit visa

a short-term student visa

a Parent of a Child Student visa

a seasonal worker visa

a domestic worker in a private household visa

Fees

Each person will need to pay:

£475 for the visa

the healthcare surcharge - check how much they’ll have to pay

They may need to pay £19.20 to have their biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

How to apply

Your partner and child must apply online. They must either:

apply as a partner

apply as a child

As part of their application, they’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide their biometric information (fingerprints and a photo).

They’ll also need to submit their supporting documents. They can:

upload them into the online service

have them scanned at their UKVCAS appointment

They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.

Getting a faster decision

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision  - they’ll be told if they can when they apply.

Children born in the UK

Apply online for any children you have while in the UK.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child.

Extend your visa

You may be able to extend your Student visa to stay longer and continue your course or study a new course. This includes if you currently have a Tier 4 (General) student visa.

To extend your visa you must:

be in the UK on a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa

have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor - shown by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

show that your studies are at a higher academic level than your current course (called the ‘academic progress requirement’) - there are some exceptions

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 in the UK.

Apply to extend your dependants’ visas at the same time as you extend your own visa. If you cannot apply at the same time, your partner or child can extend their visas at a later date - this must be before their current visa expires.

Showing academic progress

If you’re currently studying in the UK, you’ll usually need to show your studies will be at a higher academic level than your current course.

Your new course must be one of the following:

at a higher academic level than your current course

at the same level and related to your previous course or career aspirations - it must be degree level or above at a Higher Education Provider (HEP)

intercalated to a medicine, dentistry or medical science course you started studying under your Student visa (including a Tier 4 (General) student visa)

You do not need to show your studies are at a higher level if you’re doing one of the following:

resitting exams or repeating modules

applying for the first time to a new institution to complete a course you started at an institution that lost its student sponsorship licence

applying after working as a student union sabbatical officer to complete a qualification you started studying under your last Student visa (including a Tier 4 (General) student visa)

completing a PhD or other doctorate that you started studying under your last Student visa (including a Tier 4 (General) student visa)

continuing your medical, dentistry or medical science degree after completing an intercalated course

applying to extend your stay to complete your studies because you’ve done (or want to do) a work placement or study abroad programme

Read the guidance for more information about when you need to prove your studies are at a higher level.

If you’re applying to work in the UK

You can get a CAS if you’re:

applying to work as a student union sabbatical officer

applying to stay in the UK to look for work after you’ve finished your PhD or doctorate - the ‘Doctorate Extension Scheme’ (DES)

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

For each person, you’ll need to pay:

£475 to extend this visa

the healthcare surcharge - check how much you’ll have to pay

You may need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

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 (UKVI) account

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Start now

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

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).

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

Switch to this visa

You may be able to switch to a Student visa if you already have permission to be in the UK.

You cannot switch to this visa if you have one of the following visas:

a visit visa

a short-term student visa

a Parent of a Child Student visa

a seasonal worker visa

a domestic worker in a private household visa

leave outside the immigration rules

If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you do not need to apply for a visa.

Eligibility

To switch to a Student visa you must:

be in the UK

Apply to switch your dependants’ visas at the same time as you switch your own visa. If you cannot apply at the same time, your partner or child can switch their visas at a later date - this must be before their current visa expires.

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.

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.

Fees

For each person, you’ll need to pay:

£475 to extend this visa

the healthcare surcharge - check how much you’ll have to pay

You may need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

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’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account)

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Start now

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

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).

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


Child Student visa

Overview

You can apply for a Child Student visa if you’re between 4 and 17 years old and you want to study at an independent school in the UK.

You must:

have an unconditional offer of a place on a course at an independent school

be able to show you’ll have access to enough money to support you in the UK and pay for your course

have the consent of your parent or guardian to study in the UK - you’ll need to prove this when you apply

If you’re 18 or over, apply for a Student visa instead.

This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (Child) student visa.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. The deadline is 30 June 2021.

Otherwise you need a visa to study in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

When to apply

When you can apply depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

Applying from outside the UK

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.

You’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

Applying from inside the UK

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 within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

How long you can stay

How long you can stay depends on your age on the date you apply and the length of your course.

Age when you apply | How long you can stay

Under 16 | Course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months afterwards

16 or 17 | Course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months afterwards

When you can travel to the UK

You can arrive in the UK up to 1 month before your course starts.

Staying longer in the UK

You may be able to:

extend your visa if you’re eligible, for example to continue your studies in the UK

switch to a Child Student visa from another visa if you’re already in the UK

Fees

It costs:

£348 to apply for a Child Student visa from outside the UK

£475 to extend or switch to a Child Student visa from inside the UK

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

What you can and cannot do

You can study at an independent school.

If you’re 16 or over you can work:

part-time during term for up to 10 hours per week

full-time during vacations

on a work placement as part of your course (but not for more than 50% of your course)

You cannot:

study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school) or further or higher education institution

get public funds (benefits)

take a full-time permanent job or be self-employed

work as a professional sportsperson (for example a sports coach) or entertainer

apply for settlement

bring family members (‘dependants’) - if a parent wants to accompany you, they’ll need to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa visa

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Child Student visa.

Your course

You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Child Student sponsor.

To prove this, your education provider will send you a reference number (called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)) once they’ve offered you a place on the course. You need a CAS before you can apply for your visa.

Courses you can study

You can do a course at an independent school that’s taught in line with one of the following:

the national curriculum

the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at level 3 or below

independent school education inspection standards

You can also do a course that’s accepted as being at the same academic level by:

Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)

Education Scotland

Estyn (in Wales)

Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland)

You can do a short ‘pre-sessional’ course to prepare you for your main course.

You cannot do a foundation course that will prepare you for direct entry to a higher education institution.

Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Once your education provider has offered you a place on a course, they’ll send you a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

You’ll need to enter this reference number on your visa application.

Your CAS can cover both the pre-sessional course and your main course of study.

You must apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS.

Money you need

You must have enough money available to you to pay for your course and support you in the UK.

How much money you need depends on where you will live and who will be looking after you.

If you’ll live with your parent or guardian

Your parent must have a Parent of a Child Student visa to accompany you to the UK. If you’re over 12 your parent will not be eligible, unless you have a younger sibling who’s under 12 and also has a Child Student visa.

You must have enough money to pay for your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

You’ll also need £1,560 per month (for up to 9 months) - this amount is for both you and your parent.

Your parent will need an extra £625 a month (for up to 9 months) for each additional child they accompany to the UK. The child must be your sibling and must also have a Child Student visa.

If you’re boarding at an independent school

You must have enough money to pay for your course fees and your boarding fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).

If you’ll live with a foster carer or close relative

Your foster carer or close relative must confirm they have at least £570 per month (for up to 9 months).

Your foster carer or close relative must be a British citizen or be settled (have ‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK. They cannot be your parent.

If you’re 16 or 17 and living independently

You’ll also need either:

£1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) if you’re studying in London

£1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) if you’re studying outside of London

London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.

Read the guidance to find out how much money you need and how to prove it.

You must prove you (or your parent) have the money for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.

If you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you’ll need to provide evidence of this from your loan or sponsorship company.

When you do not need to prove you have money to support yourself

You do not need to prove you have money to support yourself if you’ve had a valid UK visa for at least 12 months immediately prior to the date of your Child Student visa application - you must currently be in the UK.

If you’re from a country listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement’

You do not need to prove you have enough money to support yourself if you’re a British national overseas or from one of the following countries or territories:

Australia

Austria

Bahrain

Barbados

Belgium

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei

Bulgaria

Cambodia

Canada

Chile

China

Croatia

Republic of Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

The Dominican Republic

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

Indonesia

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Kazakhstan

Kuwait

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macao

Malaysia

Malta

Mauritius

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Oman

Peru

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Romania

Serbia

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Thailand

Tunisia

United Arab Emirates

United States of America

However, you might be asked to provide this evidence before you get a decision on your application.

If you do need to provide it, you’ll be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) after you’ve submitted your application.

Documents you'll need to apply

When you apply for your Child Student visa you must provide:

a current passport or other valid travel documentation

a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider

written consent from your parent or legal guardian for your study in the UK

You may also need to provide:

proof that you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - this will vary depending on your circumstances

proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian (for example a birth certificate or other government issued document showing their names)

evidence of the qualifications you used to get a place on your course - if this was required by your course provider

your tuberculosis (TB) test results

written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances. Read the guidance for the full list of documents you’ll need to provide.

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you need to give your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre. You’ll be told if you need to do this when you apply.

Parental consent

You must have written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or legal guardian. This must confirm they consent to:

your visa application

your living arrangements and care in the UK

your travel to the UK

If you’re living with a close relative or foster carer, you’ll need to provide additional evidence. Read the guidance for the full list of documents you’ll need to provide.

Apply

You must apply online for a Child Student visa.

Check which documents you’ll need to apply.

Apply outside the UK

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document (you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration account)

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Start now

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

If you need to give your biometric information at a visa application centre, you may be able to pay to get a faster decision. Check if your visa application centre offers faster decisions and other services.

Apply inside the UK

You may be able to apply to:

extend your Child Student visa

switch to a Child Student visa from another type of visa

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.

After you get a decision

If your application is successful, you’ll get either:

a biometric residence permit - if you gave your biometric information at a visa application centre

a digital immigration status which you can view and prove online - if you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app

Find out what happens after you get your decision.

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:

£475 to extend this visa

the healthcare surcharge - check how much you’ll have to pay

You may need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

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.

Start now

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 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

Switch to this visa

You may be able to change (‘switch’) to a Child Student visa from another visa. You must be between 4 and 17 years old.

You cannot switch to a Child Student visa if you have one of the following:

a visitor visa

a short-term student visa

leave outside the immigration rules

If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you do not need to apply for a visa.

Eligibility

To switch to a Child Student visa you must:

be in the UK

be between 4 and 17 years old

have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Child Student sponsor - show by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

When to apply

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

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.

Fees

You’ll need to pay:

£475 to switch to this visa

the healthcare surcharge - check how much you’ll have to pay

You may need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

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:

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Start now

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 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


Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa)

Overview

You can apply for a Short-term study visa to study English language in the UK.

This visa is for English language courses lasting longer than 6 months and up to 11 months.

If your course is different to this, check which visa you need.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or a close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

Otherwise, you’ll need to apply for a visa to study for longer than 6 months in the UK. The earliest date your visa will start from is 1 January 2021.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for the length of your course plus an extra 30 days as long as your stay is no longer than 11 months.

Fees and costs

It costs £186 for a Short-term study visa.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your online application. It usually costs £470.

This is so you can use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

Check how much you’ll need to pay before you apply.

What you cannot do

You cannot:

study on any other course or change your course while in the UK

study at a state-funded school

work or carry out any business (this includes paid or unpaid work, work experience or work placements)

extend this visa

bring family members (‘dependants’) with you on this visa

apply for most benefits (public funds) or the State Pension

Who can apply

You must be 16 or older to apply.

You must prove that:

you’ve been accepted onto an English language course that lasts 11 months or less and includes no other subjects

your course is with an accredited institution

you have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds, or that relatives and friends can support and house you

you can pay for your return or onward journey

If you’re under 18 you must also:

have made arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK

have the consent of your parent or guardian to study in the UK

Your course

Your English language course must be with an ‘accredited institution’.

This can be either:

an accredited UK institution

an eligible overseas provider, if you’re studying in the UK as part of an overseas course

Accredited UK institutions

An accredited institution must either have a student sponsor licence or have a valid accreditation and be listed by one of the following:

Accreditation Body for Language Services

Accreditation Service for International Colleges

Accreditation UK

British Accreditation Council

Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland)

Estyn (in Wales)

Education Scotland

Independent Schools Inspectorate

Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)

Office for Students

Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

Eligible overseas providers

You can also apply for a Short-term study visa if you’re studying at an overseas higher education institution and part of your English language course is in the UK.

Your institution must:

hold its own national accreditation

offer no more than half of its educational programme in the UK

offer programmes that are equivalent to a UK degree

Documents you'll need

When you apply you must provide:

a current passport (with a blank page for your visa) or other valid travel document

evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, for example bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months

details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans - you should not pay for accommodation or travel until you get your visa

evidence that you’ve paid your course fees or have enough money to pay them

You also need to provide:

your tuberculosis (TB) test results, if you’re from a country where you have to take the TB test

contact details for at least one parent or guardian in your home country, if you’re under 18 years old

a certified translation if any documents are not in English or Welsh

Documents about your course

You must provide written proof of the course you’re studying. For example, a letter of acceptance from the educational institution stating the course’s name, duration and cost (including accommodation).

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances, such as evidence of your:

permission to be in the country you’re applying from (if you’re not a national)

financial sponsor’s occupation, income, savings or funds that will support your studies

If you’re under 18

If you’re under 18 you need to provide additional documents if:

you’re travelling on your own

you’re travelling with someone who is not your parent or guardian

Travelling on your own

You can travel to the UK without an adult (someone 18 or older).

You must have written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or your legal guardian. This must confirm they consent to:

your visa application

your living arrangements and care in the UK

your travel to the UK

They also need to provide proof that you have somewhere suitable to live during your stay in the UK, including:

the name and date of birth of the person that you will be staying with

an address where you will be living

details of your relationship to the person who’ll be looking after you

consent in writing so they can look after you during your stay in the UK

Your parent, guardian or school must tell the relevant local authority about your visit if either of the following are true:

you’re under 18 and have a disability

you’re going to be looked after for more than 28 days by someone who is not a close relative (called ‘private foster care’)

You should provide a reply from the local authority if you have one.

Travelling with an adult

If you travel to the UK with an adult (someone 18 or older), you need to identify them in your visa application.

Their name will appear on your visa, and you’ll be refused entry to the UK if you arrive in the UK without them.

You can identify up to 2 adults in your visa application, and your visa will only be valid if you travel with at least one of them.

The adult can apply for a visa at the same time, but you must each complete separate applications.

Apply

You must apply online before you come to the UK. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel to the UK.

As part of your online application, you’ll need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your documents and prove your identity.

Allow time to attend your appointment.

The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision. Check if your visa application centre offers faster decisions and other services.

Apply online

You must apply online.

Before you start, check what documents you’ll need to apply.

Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Check your email and follow the link to return to your application.

After you apply

You’ll get a letter containing the result of your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Find out what happens after you get your decision.

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.