Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Tier 4 Child Student Visa

Q.1: My Tier 4 Child Student visa has already expired. Can I still apply for extension of my stay from inside the UK?

Answer: An out of time application (an application for extension of stay after the expiry of visa) as a Tier 4 Child Student is possible as long as the gap between the expiry of the leave and the start date of the course is not more than 30 days. If the leave did not expire more than 6 months ago, we can provide same day visa service for the Tier 4 Child Student visa application. If leave expired more than six months ago, then you can only submit a postal application.

Q.2: I applied for Tier 4 Child Student extension before the expiry of my leave and my application was returned as invalid. Can I apply again?

Answer: Yes, you can apply again if your application was rejected as invalid. If your leave has already expired at the time you resubmit your application you may not get right of appeal against the refusal of your application.

Q.3: I applied for Tier 4 Child Student visa extension after my leave had expired and the Home Office has refused my application. What are my options?

Answer: You may have two options if your application for Tier 4 Child Student Visa extension was refused and the application was submitted after the expiry of your Tier 4 visa: Firstly, you can apply again as a Tier 4 Child Student ; and secondly, you have the option to challenge the refusal by way of Judicial Review in High Court if the decision of the Home Office to refuse your application is unlawful.

Q.4: I applied for my Tier 4 Child Student visa extension and my application was refused by the Home Office. The Home Office did not return my passport. I want to know whether or not I can apply again?

Answer:  If your application was refused by the Home Office and your passport was not returned by the Home Office, then you can still apply again for Tier 4 Child Student visa by post. It is not possible to use the same day visa service in cases where the Home Office has retained your passport.

Q.5: How can I challenge the refusal of my application for Tier 4 Child Student Visa?

Answer: If you applied for Tier 4 Child Student visa from outside the UK, the refusal of your application can be challenged by way of Administrative Review request within 28 days of the date of receipt of the refusal letter.

If you applied for Tier 4 Child Student visa from inside the UK, you can challenge the refusal of your application by way of appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal within 10 working days of the date of receipt of the refusal letter (5 working days if you are in detention centre at the time of the service of the refusal letter). If you have not been granted appeal right, you can challenge the refusal of your application by way of Judicial Review in High Court within 3 months (90 days) of the date of the refusal letter.

Q.6: What is the processing time (waiting time) for Tier 4 Child Student visa applications?

Answer:

•  An in-country application for Tier 4 Child Student visa submitted through our same day visa service is usually decided by the Home Office, Public Enquiry Office (PEO) within 24 hours.

• An in-country application for Tier 4 Child Student visa submitted by post is decided according to the Home Office guidelines for prcessing of Tier 4 Child Student applications

• An out of country Tier 4 Child Student application submitted to the British Embassy / High Comission is decided by the Home Office UKBA accoring to the Home Office Guide to the Visa Processing Times.
  

Q.7: From where can I download the application form to apply for Tier 4 Child Student visa from inside the UK?

Answer: You can download the application form Tier 4 (Child) Student from the UKBA Website to apply for Tier 4 Child Student visa from inside the UK.

Q.8: From where can I download the application form to apply for Tier 4 Child Student visa from outside the UK?

Answer: You can download the application form VAF 9 and the PBS Appendix 9 - Tier 4 Child from the UKBA Visa Services Website to apply for Tier 4 Child Student visa from outside the UK. 

Q.9: What course can I do as a Tier 4 Child Student?

Answer: As a Tier 4 child student you can do a course that is:

• taught in line with the National Curriculum; or
• taught in line with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF); or
• accepted as being at the same academic level as the National Curriculum or the NQF by Ofsted in England, the Education and Training Inspectorate in Northern Ireland, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education in Scotland or Estyn in Wales; or
• taught in line with existing (prevailing) independent school education inspection standards.

Additionally, you can do a short course to prepare you for your main course of study, if your chosen main course meets one of the conditions above. These short courses are sometimes called 'pre-sessional' courses.

Q.10: I want to know what care arrangements must be in place for a child student under Tier 4 of the points-based system.

Answer: If you want to be a child student under Tier 4, you must have a suitable care arrangement in place for your stay in the UK, and (if you are applying from overseas) for your travel and reception on arrival in the UK. You will need the consent of your parent(s) or legal guardian to your application, and to your care arrangement.

There are additional requirements if you will be cared for by someone who is not a parent or close relative while you are in the UK as a Tier 4 Child Student. This is called a 'private foster care arrangement'.

If you are under 12 years old, you can be accompanied to the UK by a parent or legal guardian. They will need to apply to come to the UK as as a special visitor.