UK School Admissions and Visa Package

A practical guide for international families planning UK private school admission, Child Student visa requirements and the property arrangements needed for a smooth relocation

For international families planning to send a child to a UK private or boarding school, school admission and visa preparation are closely connected. Securing a place at the right school is only one part of the process. Families may also need to arrange sponsorship, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, suitable accommodation, financial evidence and travel arrangements.

A well-organised UK school admissions and visa package should therefore consider the entire process rather than treating school admission and immigration as completely separate tasks.

Understanding UK private school admissions

Private and independent schools manage their own admissions processes, so requirements vary considerably between schools.

Depending on the school and year of entry, an application may involve:

• Registration and application forms

• Previous school reports

• Entrance examinations

• ISEB assessments

• School interviews

• References

• Academic assessments

• Offers and deposits

• Boarding arrangements

• Confirmation of the intended start date

Families applying from overseas should begin early because popular UK boarding schools can have registration deadlines well before the intended year of entry.

The school should be contacted directly for its current admission requirements and deadlines.

Choosing a UK school before starting the visa process

The visa process should normally follow the securing of an appropriate school place.

Families should consider more than academic reputation when comparing schools. Location, boarding arrangements, pastoral support, fees, transport connections and the child's ability to adapt to boarding life can all influence the decision.

For families relocating from overseas, the school's location can also affect the choice of a family home or investment property in the UK.

London schools, for example, can create very different property requirements from boarding schools located in Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Kent or other parts of England.

Child Student visa requirements

Children aged 4 to 17 who want to study at an independent school in the UK may be eligible for a Child Student visa.

Key requirements include:

• An unconditional offer from an appropriate independent school

• A valid CAS from the school

• Suitable UK living arrangements

• Sufficient funds

• Parental or legal guardian consent

• Meeting the relevant immigration requirements

The school must be a licensed student sponsor for the relevant route.

A child cannot simply obtain a place at any private school and assume that the school can support a Child Student visa. Families should confirm the school's sponsorship status before making arrangements.

What is a CAS?

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, or CAS, is issued by the relevant licensed school after the student has been offered an appropriate place.

The CAS provides a reference that is used in the visa application.

The school is responsible for assigning the CAS and must comply with its sponsorship obligations. Families should therefore communicate directly with the school regarding CAS timing, information and any corrections required.

A CAS is not the same thing as a school admission letter, and receiving an admission offer does not automatically mean that every visa requirement has been satisfied.

Preparing the visa application

Once the school and CAS arrangements are in place, the family can prepare the relevant visa application.

Applicants applying from outside the UK can generally apply for a Child Student visa up to six months before the course begins. GOV.UK currently states that applications made outside the UK usually receive a decision within three weeks, although families should allow additional time for preparation and appointments.

Depending on the applicant's circumstances, the process can involve:

• Online visa application

• Passport and identity information

• CAS reference

• Financial evidence

• Parental consent

• Accommodation information

• Tuberculosis testing where required

• Biometric information or identity verification

The exact evidence required depends on the child's circumstances and current immigration rules.

Financial planning for UK school and visa applications

Families should budget for considerably more than tuition fees.

Potential costs include:

• School registration fees

• Tuition fees

• Boarding fees

• Deposits

• Entrance examination costs

• Visa application fees

• Immigration health surcharge where applicable

• Flights

• Accommodation

• Local transportation

• Guardianship arrangements

• Uniforms and equipment

• Property costs

For boarding pupils, the financial requirements can be linked to outstanding course and boarding fees. Families should therefore review the amounts stated by the school and ensure their financial planning corresponds with the visa requirements.

Accommodation for international schoolchildren

Accommodation is an important part of the Child Student route.

A boarding school may provide the child's accommodation during term time, but families should also understand what arrangements apply during school holidays, exeats and other periods when the child is not staying at school.

Depending on the child's circumstances, permitted arrangements can include an appropriate nominated guardian, private foster carer, close relative or qualifying parent arrangement.

Families should confirm the exact requirements with the school and official UK immigration guidance.

Do families need a UK property?

Not every family sending a child to a UK private school needs to purchase a property.

However, some international families prefer to establish a UK base for school holidays, family visits, business travel or longer-term relocation.

When considering a UK property, families may need to assess:

• Distance from the school

• Airport accessibility

• Local transport

• Property size

• Security

• Condition of the property

• Maintenance requirements

• Future rental potential

• Whether the property will be occupied throughout the year

The right decision can be different for a family whose child is fully boarding compared with a family planning a permanent move to Britain.

What a complete relocation package should cover

A genuinely useful school relocation plan should connect the different practical stages.

This can include:

1. Identifying suitable schools

2. Reviewing individual admission requirements

3. Completing the school's application process

4. Securing an offer

5. Confirming sponsorship and CAS arrangements

6. Preparing the appropriate visa application

7. Confirming the child's accommodation

8. Planning travel

9. Arranging UK accommodation for parents where required

10. Preparing for property management after relocation

Families should ensure that each responsibility is handled by the appropriate professional or organisation.

Fraser Bond's role in a UK school relocation

Fraser Bond is not a private school admissions agency and does not issue CAS letters or provide immigration advice. School admission decisions and CAS sponsorship are handled by the relevant independent school, while immigration applications should be prepared according to current UK government requirements.

Where an international family needs assistance with the property and relocation side of its UK plans, Fraser Bond can provide practical support.

Depending on the family's requirements, this can include:

• UK property search

• Property purchases

• Residential lettings

• Property management

• Refurbishment

• Repairs and maintenance

• Contractor coordination

• Ongoing management of overseas owners' UK properties

This can be particularly useful when a family wants a reliable UK property base while a child attends a private or boarding school.

Start planning before the school deadline

International school applications can involve several deadlines, and visa preparation should not be left until the last moment.

Families should begin by identifying suitable schools and understanding their individual admission requirements. Once an offer is secured, the family can coordinate CAS arrangements, visa preparation, accommodation and travel.

For families also considering a UK property, beginning property planning early can make the wider relocation significantly easier.

Fraser Bond's position

Fraser Bond focuses on property services and relocation support. It does not provide school admissions consultancy, CAS issuance, immigration advice or visa application services.

Its role is to help international families manage the UK property side of their relocation, from finding and acquiring property to lettings, refurbishment, maintenance and ongoing property management.