Use these guides to understand published UK immigration requirements and questions to check. Confirm the current rule on GOV.UK and obtain regulated advice for your own circumstances.
The useful starting point
These routes solve different immigration problems
Age, school type and care arrangements usually make the correct starting route clear, but 16- and 17-year-olds should check the exact provider and course framework.
Side-by-side
Key differences
Generally for people aged 16 or over.
For children aged 4 to 17.
Licensed student sponsor offering an eligible course.
Licensed independent school.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
CAS plus child-specific consent and care evidence where required.
Dependant rules are restricted and route-specific.
A Parent of a Child Student route may be relevant in limited cases.
Confirm the current rules
Read both official route pages
Know when a guide is no longer enough
Eligibility assessments, evidence reviews, application preparation and representation should be handled by a suitably regulated professional.