How do I sponsor a migrant?
Sponsoring child students
This section explains the process of sponsoring a migrant to study in the United Kingdom as a child student under tier 4 of the points-based system.
Sponsorship management system is launched for Tier 4 sponsors
We have implemented phase 3 of Tier 4 of the points-based system, with the start of a voluntary trial period for education providers to use the sponsorship magagement 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 United Kingdom under Tier 4, the migrant will need a visa letter or confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from their tier 4 sponsor. The student's application must be made 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 have 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 United Kingdom, 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 visa letter or CAS offering the migrant an unconditional place at your institution. This will enable the migrant to apply for permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom as a child student. For more information, see Issuing the visa letter or confirmation of acceptance for studies.
If your offer is accepted and the child is granted permission to study in the United Kingdom based on your visa letter or 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 will restrict the student to studying only with the sponsor named on their visa letter or CAS. This includes studies at any partner institution named on the visa letter or CAS.
For more information about what a tier 4 student can and cannot do while you are sponsoring them, see the following sections: