Child students - Tier 4 (Child)
Evidence about your care arrangement
This page describes the documents that you must provide to show that your proposed care arrangement is acceptable when you apply as a child student under Tier 4 of the points-based system.
You will need to send us the written consent of your parent(s) or legal guardian to your care arrangements while you are here, and your travel arrangements if you are applying from overseas.
There are additional requirements if you will be cared for by a UK resident who is not your parent or legal guardian.
More information
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Letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian
As a child student, you must have parental consent to travel to the UK. You must provide a letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian, confirming:
- your relationship with your parent(s) or legal guardian;
- your parent(s) or legal guardian's consent to your application;
- your parent(s) or legal guardian's agreement to your living arrangements in the UK; and
- (if you are applying from outside the UK) your parent(s) or legal guardian's agreement to the arrangements made for your travel to and reception in the UK.
If the letter is signed by only one parent or legal guardian, it must confirm that they have legal custody or sole responsibility for you. If they do not have sole custody, the letter must confirm that each parent or legal guardian agrees to the contents of the letter, and must be signed by each parent or legal guardian.
Additional evidence for a 16- or 17-year-old child student living independently
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you have the legal right to live independently in the UK, and may make your own arrangements for accommodation. If you are living independently, you must provide a letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian, confirming that:
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they have given their consent for you to live independently in the UK; and
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that they have given their consent for your independent travel to the UK.
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If you will be staying with a UK resident who is not your parent or legal guardian
If you are living with a resident British citizen or other UK resident who is a close relative, or if you are in a private foster care arrangement, you must show that there are suitable arrangements in place for your care.
(Children under 16 years old, or under 18 years old if disabled, are said to be in a 'private foster care arrangement' if they are cared for on a full-time basis for more than 28 days by adults who are not their parents or close relatives.)
You must show us all of the following evidence.
A written (undertaking) letter from the intended carer, confirming the care arrangement
This must show:
- the intended carer's name, current address and contact details;
- the address where you and the carer will be living in the UK, if different from their current address;
- confirmation that the accommodation offered to you is a private address, and not operated as a commercial enterprise (such as a hotel or a youth hostel);
- the nature of the relationship between the intended carer and your parent(s) or legal guardian;
- the intended carer's agreement to the care arrangements for the child;
- the availability of at least £500 per month (for up to nine months) for the intended carer to look after and accommodate you;
- a list of any other people that the intended carer has offered support to; and
- their signature and the date of the undertaking.
A letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian confirming the care arrangement
This must show:
- the nature of their relationship with the intended carer;
- the address in the UK where you and the intended carer will be living; and
- the support of the parent(s) or legal guardian for the application, and their authorisation of the intended carer to take responsibility for your care during your stay in the UK.
Evidence that the intended carer is allowed to be in the UK
This evidence must be:
- the intended carer's current UK or European Union passport; or
- their current passport or travel document to confirm that they are allowed to stay in the UK; or
- their certificate of naturalisation.
We will accept a notarised copy of the original passport or travel document, but reserve the right to request the original.
If you are living with a close relative, no further documentation is required.
Additional evidence if you are in a private foster care arrangement
If you are staying in a private foster care arrangement, you must receive permission to do so from the private foster carer's UK local authority. This is explained in the Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations 2005, which you can download from the fight side of this page.
If you are under 16 years old and you are staying in a private foster care arrangement, you must provide both:
- a copy of the letter of notification from your parent(s), legal guardian or intended carer to the UK local authority, confirming that you will be in the care of a private foster carer while in the UK; and
- the UK local authority's confirmation of receipt, which must confirm that the local authority has received notification of the foster care arrangement.
Application forms
Policy guidance for Tier 4 students
- Tier 4 policy guidance PDF 690KB opens in a new window