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Child students - Tier 4 (Child)

How long can you stay?

This page explains how long you can stay in the UK as a Tier 4 (Child) student.

If your application to us is successful, we will allow you to stay in the UK for the full length of your course (subject to certain limits) and for four months after your course finishes. At the end of that time, you must leave the UK unless you have applied to extend your stay or to switch into another immigration category.

More information

  • Maximum length of stay under Tier 4 (Child)
    Age when you apply Maximum length of stay allowed
    Under 16 years old

    The full length of the course, up to a maximum of six years

    plus

    four months after the end of the course
    16 or 17 years old

    The full length of the course, up to a maximum of three years

    plus

    four months after the end of the course
    If you ask for permission to stay in the UK for a shorter period than the length of your course, we will give you permission to stay for that period plus four months.

    If you are under 16 and you want to do a course lasting more than six years, we will not give you permision to stay for the full length of the course. You will need to apply to extend your stay after six years in order to complete the course.
  • If your 18th birthday will occur during your course

    If your course will last beyond your 18th birthday, you can still apply for permission to stay in the UK under Tier 4 (Child) for the full length of the course (subject to the standard limits on the maximum length of a child student's stay).

    When you turn 18, you will be able to carry on with the course until your permission to stay expires. At the end of that time, you will need to apply undera different immigration ategory (such as Tier 4 (General)) if you want to continue studying in the UK.

Application forms

Policy guidance for Tier 4 students

Choose a different form

Policy & Law