UK visa for summer school: a guide for families from China

This guide is based on GOV.UK information checked in October 2026. It is general information, not immigration advice — always check the latest rules on GOV.UK before applying.

Does my child need a visa?

• Mainland China passport holders: yes. For a summer school or language course of up to six months, students apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
• Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR passport holders don't need a visa for a short visit, but they do need an **Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. It costs **£20, is applied for online or in the UK ETA app, and a decision usually comes within 3 working days. Every traveller needs their own ETA, including children. (British National (Overseas) passport holders need neither.)

A Standard Visitor can study for up to six months at an accredited UK institution, which includes English-language courses. The institution cannot be a state-funded school or academy — none of the summer schools on our site is provided by a state-funded school or academy.

Cost and timing

• Visa fee: £135 for a six-month Standard Visitor visa. Visa application centre service fees (and any optional services) are not included.
• The earliest you can apply is 3 months before travel.
• You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks of applying and proving your identity.

As most summer schools start in late June or July, apply in late March or April.

Extra requirements for under-18s

Children must show that suitable arrangements have been made for their travel and stay. If your child is travelling alone, you'll need to provide:

• written consent from a parent or guardian for the trip, with their full contact details;
• details of who will look after your child in the UK — name, date of birth, address and relationship — and written consent for your child to stay with them. For a summer school this is normally the course's confirmation and accommodation letter, which we arrange for you.

If your child is travelling with adults, up to two can be named on the application and their names will appear on the visa.

You'll also need to show there's enough money to cover the stay and the return journey.

Documents to prepare

The visa application will tell you exactly what to upload. Families usually prepare:

1. a valid passport;
2. the course's confirmation letter (course, dates, accommodation and fees);
3. the parent's or guardian's consent letter and contact details;
4. evidence of funds (for example parents' bank statements) and proof the course fee is paid;
5. evidence of the relationship between parent and child (for example a birth certificate), with translation.

How WBS helps

We arrange the confirmation and accommodation letters for you and remind you of the deadlines. The family submits the visa application itself.