Child Student visa: Nigerian citizen in United States → United Kingdom
Nigerian citizens living in the United States need a UK Child Student visa — apply online on gov.uk and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in the United States.
Lets a child aged 4 to 17 study at an independent school in the UK, with an unconditional offer, a place to live, enough money, and parental or guardian consent.
- Validity
- If under 16: course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months afterwards. If 16 or 17: course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months afterwards.
- Entries
- Multiple entry for the duration of your visa.
- Max stay per visit
- For the length of your course plus 4 months (course up to 6 years if under 16, up to 3 years if 16 or 17).
When to start
Start 30 days–3 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
The child must be between 4 and 17 years old and want to study at an independent school in the UK.
You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course at an independent school, who issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
You must have the consent of your parent or legal guardian to study and live in the UK.
You must apply online for a Child Student visa. It costs £558 to apply from outside the UK, plus the healthcare surcharge.
You'll either use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to scan your identity document, or have fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre.
You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
What you'll need
- Passport / travel document — A current passport or other valid travel documentation. ✓ verified
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) — A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider. ✓ verified
- Written parental or guardian consent — Written consent from your parent or legal guardian for your study and living arrangements in the UK. ✓ verified
- Proof of funds — Proof that you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course. ✓ verified
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results — Your tuberculosis (TB) test results (required for applicants from listed countries, including Nigeria). ✓ verified· you're from a country where you must take the TB test
Where you'll apply
Because you live in the USA, you apply at a UK Visa Application Centre in the US — not in your home country. There are UK visa application centres in 30+ US cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle). Use the official VFS US centre directory (linked below) to find and book the one nearest you.
- UK Visa Application Centres — United States — serves 30+ locations across the US — find and book your nearest
Fees
| Child Student visa (apply from outside the UK) | GBP 558 |
Gotchas to watch
- The Child Student visa is only for children aged 4 to 17 studying at an independent school — not for state schools or universities.
- You must have the consent of your parent or legal guardian to study and live in the UK before you apply.