VISAS AND IMMIGRATION UK Student Visa Guide for International Families

Applying to study at a UK boarding school involves navigating the visa process, which can feel daunting if you have not done it before. This guide explains everything your family needs to know: which visa applies, how to apply step by step, what documents to prepare, and how Earlscliffe supports you throughout.

Step one – Which visa does your child need?

The right visa depends on your child’s age and the type of course they are joining at Earlscliffe. The main routes are explained below.

Child Student Visa

Most students studying at Earlscliffe will apply for a Child Student route visa. This route is for students under 18 who have been offered a place on our ITY, GCSE, A-level, or Business Diploma course.

Student Visa

A student who is 18+ at the time of applying for their visa, must apply for a Student route visa.

Any student studying on our University Foundation course apply for a Student route visa.

Studying as a visitor

Students studying on a short-course at Earlscliffe are able to do so as a Standard Visitor. This is for courses up to 6 months in length.

Students studying as a visitor from EU and other visa exempt countries do not need to apply for a visa before travelling, but will need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) that covers the duration of their course.

Students from other countries will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before they can travel. Earlscliffe will provide a confirmation of study letter to help support your application.

The application process – Applying for a UK student visa: step by step

The process typically takes 8–12 weeks from start to finish. Here is what to expect at each stage.

Before applying

1. Receive and accept your offer from Earlscliffe. The visa process can only begin once your child has a confirmed, unconditional offer of a place. If your offer is conditional (for example, on exam results), your CAS will not be issued until all conditions have been met. Once you have accepted the offer and paid the first term’s fees, Earlscliffe will prepare your child’s Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

2. Receive your CAS number. A CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is an electronic document — essentially a unique reference number — issued by Earlscliffe as your licensed Student Sponsor. It contains details of your child’s course, fees, and personal information.
You cannot submit a visa application without a valid CAS. You can apply for a visa up to six months before the course start date.

Important: You must not apply too early. The CAS expires if the visa application is not submitted within the validity window. Earlscliffe will advise you on the appropriate timing.

Prepare

3. Gather your supporting documents. Before starting the online application, gather all required documents. See the full checklist in the next section. Key documents include:

Valid passport for the child
CAS reference number from Earlscliffe
Financial evidence (proof of funds held for 28+ consecutive days)
Written parental consent from both parents or legal guardians
Care/guardianship arrangements (if applicable)
TB test results (if required for your nationality)

Apply

4. Complete the online application on GOV.UK. Applications are submitted online via the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal at GOV.UK. You will need to create an account and complete the application form with your child’s personal and travel details, course information, financial evidence, and care arrangements.

Application fee (2026): £558 for the Child Student visa. An Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is also payable at £776 (2026) per year of study.

5. Attend a biometric appointment. After submitting the online application, your child must attend a biometric enrolment appointment at a UKVI Visa Application Centre (VAC) in their home country. At this appointment, fingerprints and a photograph will be taken. Original documents should also be brought to this appointment, including the passport. Book your appointment as early as possible, as waiting times at busy VACs can extend to several weeks.

Decision

6. Await a decision. Standard processing takes around three weeks after the biometric appointment. Priority and Super Priority services are available at additional cost and can reduce this to 5 working days or 24 hours respectively, subject to availability at your local VAC. If refused, you have the right to appeal or reapply.

Arrival

7. Earlscliffe will support students with this process on arrival. Your child must comply with visa conditions throughout their stay. Earlscliffe, as a licensed sponsor, has legal obligations to monitor attendance and report any concerns to the Home Office.

Documents checklist – What you will need to apply

Use this checklist to prepare your application bundle. Requirements may vary by nationality and individual circumstances — always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.

Identity & travel

Valid passport (valid for the duration of intended stay)
Any previous passports showing previous UK visas or travel history
Two recent passport-sized photographs (if required by VAC)
Birth certificate
Both parents’ passports

From Earlscliffe

CAS reference number (issued by Earlscliffe after offer accepted)
Unconditional offer letter from Earlscliffe
Confirmation of boarding/accommodation arrangements
School registration information (provided at enrolment)

Financial evidence

Bank statements showing funds held for 28+ consecutive days
Evidence of payment of boarding fees for first academic year (for boarders)
Official financial documents must be in English or translated by a certified translator

Parental consent & welfare

Written consent letter from both parents / legal guardians (signed and dated)
Evidence of parental relationship (e.g. birth certificate)
Details of approved care/guardianship arrangements in the UK (if applicable)
TB test certificate (required for certain nationalities — check GOV.UK)

Planning ahead – Recommended application timeline

Starting the process early is strongly recommended. Below is a typical timeline working back from the course start date.

6–12 months: Research and apply to Earlscliffe. Begin researching schools, arrange visits or online consultations, and submit your application to Earlscliffe. The admissions team can advise on visa requirements at this stage.
4–6 months: Receive an offer and accept a place. Accept your offer and pay any required deposit. Ensure all conditions of the offer have been met. Earlscliffe will begin preparing your CAS.
3–4 months: Receive your CAS and begin preparing documents. Start gathering your financial evidence, parental consent letters, and any required translations before your CAS is issued. Check whether a TB test is needed for your nationality (results can take 2–3 weeks).
2–3 months Submit the online application and book biometrics. Complete the UKVI online application, pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, and book your nearest biometric appointment. Appointment slots can be limited, so book as soon as possible.
6–8 weeks Attend a biometric appointment. Attend your appointment at the Visa Application Centre with your original documents. Standard processing begins after this point.
3 weeks Visa decision received (standard processing). Most standard applications are decided within three weeks. Priority and super-priority services can speed this up if available at your VAC.
Start Travel to Earlscliffe and begin your studies. Earlscliffe provides arrival support, helps with eVisa activation on arrival, and ensures every new student settles in quickly and confidently.

Earlscliffe’s visa and admissions support

You are not navigating this process alone. Our admissions team and pastoral staff have supported hundreds of international families through the visa process.

CAS issuance. As a licensed Student Sponsor, Earlscliffe issues your child’s CAS promptly once an offer has been accepted and conditions met. We will advise you on when to apply for your visa to ensure the CAS is valid throughout.
Admissions guidance. Our admissions team is available to answer questions about visa requirements, recommend suitable timing, and connect families with specialist immigration advisors where needed. We are used to supporting families in over 40 countries.
Arrival support. On arrival at Earlscliffe, our team helps students settle into the school community. We also offer to arrange transfers from airports and train stations.
Ongoing compliance. Earlscliffe monitors attendance and academic engagement as required by our Student Sponsor licence. If any issues arise that could affect visa status, we will contact families promptly and advise on next steps.
Visa renewal & extension. If your child needs to extend their visa to complete their studies (for example, from ITY into sixth form), our admissions team will guide you through the extension process well in advance of the current visa’s expiry.

From May 2025: New guardianship requirements came into force, strengthening child protection measures. Guardians must be aged 18+ (21+ recommended), hold British citizenship or settled status, and be available as 24/7 emergency contacts.

UK student visa FAQs for international families

The information on this page is intended as general guidance only and reflects UK immigration rules as understood at the time of publication. Visa rules change regularly. Always verify current requirements on GOV.UK or consult a qualified immigration adviser before applying.

What is a CAS and how does Earlscliffe issue one?

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an electronic reference number — not a physical document —issued by a licensed Student Sponsor (in this case, Earlscliffe) once a student has received and accepted an unconditional offer of a place. It records details of the course, fees and the student’s personal information.

You cannot apply for a UK student visa without a valid CAS number. Earlscliffe will issue the CAS once all admissions conditions have been met and the required deposit paid. We will advise you on the correct timing — applying too early may cause the CAS to expire before entry to the UK.

What happens to the visa if my child moves from ITY to sixth form?

If your child progresses from the ITY programme to A-levels or another Earlscliffe sixth form course, their existing visa will not cover the extended period of study. In this case, an extension or a new visa application will be required before the current permission expires.

Earlscliffe will issue a new or updated CAS for the new course and will advise families well in advance on the steps needed. It is important not to overstay the current visa — doing so can affect future UK immigration applications.

My child’s visa application was refused. What can we do?

If a visa application is refused, the refusal letter will explain the reasons. In most cases, families can either appeal the decision or submit a new application addressing the concerns raised. Common reasons for refusal include insufficient financial evidence, incomplete documentation, or concerns about the genuineness of the application.

We strongly recommend consulting a registered UK immigration adviser or solicitor if your application is refused. Earlscliffe’s admissions team can help signpost appropriate specialist support. A refused application does not necessarily mean your child cannot study here — many families successfully reapply after addressing the reasons given.

What is the eVisa and how does it work?

From January 2025, the UK has moved to a fully digital visa system. Instead of a physical vignette sticker in the passport, successful applicants receive an eVisa — a digital record of their immigration status linked to their UKVI online account and passport.

When travelling to the UK, your child will use their passport to enter. Going forward, immigration status is checked digitally. Earlscliffe will help new students with this process on arrival.

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