How do I sponsor a migrant?
Sponsoring child students
This section explains the process of sponsoring a migrant to study in the UK as a child student under Tier 4 (Child) of the points-based system.
To qualify as a child student under the points-based system, a migrant must score 40 points. The section on Assessing migrants' points contains more information.
To be able to apply for permission to enter or stay in the UK under Tier 4, the migrant will need a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from their Tier 4 sponsor. The student must apply to us no more than three months before the start date of their course.
The process of sponsoring a child student is made up of five stages.
- Make sure that the course the child wants to do is acceptable for a Tier 4 (Child) student. For more information, see Acceptable courses for child students.
- If the child needs to do a pre-sessional course to prepare them for their main course of study, make sure that the pre-sessional course meets the Tier 4 requirements. For more information, see Pre-sessional courses.
- You do not need to check that the child has enough money (maintenance) to cover their course fees and monthly living costs, but you may wish to do so. For more information, see Money and care arrangements for child students.
- If the child will be staying in a private foster care arrangement while in the UK, you must give the foster carer's name and the address where they and the child will be living to the local authority in that area. For more information, see Money and care arrangements for child students.
- Issue a CAS offering the migrant an unconditional place at your institution. This will enable the migrant to apply to us for permission to enter or stay in the UK as a child student. For more information, see Issuing the confirmation of acceptance for studies.
If your offer is accepted and the child is granted permission to study in the UK based on your CAS, you will become their sponsor. You must then make sure that you manage your record-keeping and reporting duties for them. For more information, see Sponsorship duties.
Please note that all applications made on or after 5 October 2009 restrict the student to studying only with the sponsor named on their CAS (or visa letter). This includes studies at any partner institution named on the CAS (or visa letter).
For more information about what a Tier 4 student can and cannot do while you are sponsoring them, see the following sections: