Boarding School Options for International Students

Families outside the country where they hope to board often ask where to start. The practical answer is that there are three layers: the school's own admissions process, the immigration rules for a minor student in that country, and arrangements for who looks after the child outside term time. This guide summarises rules that the relevant governments publish for school-age students, as of 17 October 2026. Immigration rules change, and they depend on nationality and circumstances, so treat this as a map to the official pages, not a substitute for them. No school can guarantee that a visa will be granted.

The United Kingdom

GOV.UK's Child Student visa page states that applicants must be between 4 and 17 years old, and that adults should apply for a Student visa instead. Applicants need an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Child Student sponsor, a suitable place to live, enough money for support and course fees, and the consent of a parent or legal guardian, which must be shown at application. The page says students can study at an independent school and cannot study at a further or higher education institution. It lists an application fee of £558 from outside the UK, and a healthcare surcharge, and says applications can be made up to 6 months before the course starts. The page also states that parents cannot come as dependants; a parent wanting to accompany the child must apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa, which a separate page says is only available if the child is under 12 or has a sibling under 12 holding a Child Student visa. Fees and processing times change, so confirm them on the page.

The United States

Study in the States, run by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), explains that private schools can be certified to enrol F-1 students in any or all of their K-12 programmes and that regulations place no limit on how long an F-1 student may attend a private, SEVP-certified school. Public secondary schools (grades 9 to 12) can enrol F-1 students for a maximum of 12 months in total, and the student must pay the full unsubsidised per capita cost. Public elementary and middle schools cannot be certified. Schools issue Form I-20 after receiving the student's financial evidence, and F-1 students are not eligible for US government-funded financial aid, although private schools may have their own aid. For schools, SEVP says designated school officials should know all off-campus housing arrangements for minor F-1 students.

Canada

IRCC states that minors under 17 must either travel with a parent or legal guardian or have a custodian in Canada. For those 17 and older a custodian is optional, although an officer may ask for one. The custodian must be a responsible adult who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and who will care for and support the child. The Custodianship Declaration (IMM 5646) is submitted with the study permit application: the custodian signs page 1, notarised in Canada, and the parents or legal guardians sign page 2, notarised in their home country. A letter of acceptance is generally required. Age of majority is set by province or territory (18 or 19, depending), as IRCC lists.

New Zealand

Immigration New Zealand states that a child under 10 who is not in an NZQA-approved school hostel must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and live with them. The education provider must be a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021. The page says the sponsor is responsible for accommodation and living costs, and that evidence can include confirmation of a school homestay. For students in compulsory education the page gives a funds figure that changes, so read it directly. Those under 18 need permission from a parent or legal guardian and the education provider to work, and students aged 15 or younger cannot work on a student visa.

Switzerland

SEM states that category D (national) visas cover stays longer than 90 days, with education or vocational training listed as a reason, while shorter school or study stays can fall under a category C (Schengen) visa. Applications are made in writing or at the Swiss representation responsible for your place of residence; the cantonal migration office must approve the permit, and processing can take several months. SEM says that entry is in principle possible for unaccompanied minors, and recommends that minors carry a declaration of consent from their parents in German, French, Italian or English. Whether a visa is needed at all depends on nationality.

Australia and Ireland

The relevant government pages for Australia (Home Affairs) and Ireland (the immigration service) could not be retrieved in this session, so this guide gives no rules for them. Ask the school what its international admissions office requires, and read the official pages directly before committing.

How the school's international office helps

Most boarding schools that accept overseas pupils have an international admissions team. Typical tasks are explaining the application sequence, issuing the documents needed for immigration, arranging airport meetings, and connecting families with guardians. Ask what they handle and what they leave to families. A school can help with documents, but it does not decide visa outcomes.

Check before you decide

• Which immigration category applies to my child's nationality and age, and where is it described on the official government page?
• Is the school licensed or certified for international pupils (for example as a Child Student sponsor in the UK or SEVP-certified in the US)?
• Does the school require a local guardian or custodian, and does it recommend an agency?
• Who is responsible for the child during short breaks and long holidays?
• What are the additional costs beyond tuition, such as insurance, travel and visa fees?
• What are the deposit and refund terms if a visa is refused?
• How does the school support English language development for a pupil who needs it?