Letter of Undertaking FAQ
your guardianship questions answered
the Letter of Undertaking
Effective from 29th May 2025, the Letter of Undertaking was introduced as part of the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 733) for the UK Child Student visa route.
If you're applying for a UK Child Student visa for the first time, you may have noticed this new requirement and wondered exactly what it is, why it's needed, and how to obtain one.
In this guide, we'll answer the most common questions about the Letter of Undertaking and explain what it means for your child's visa application.
listen to our UKVI special
Want to hear our experts explain the latest Child Student visa changes?
In this special episode of Bright Sounds, Lia is joined by Lana, Su and Cory to discuss the latest UKVI updates, including Nominated Guardians, Permitted Living Arrangements and our new Letter of Undertaking supporting the visa application process.
what is the Letter of Undertaking?
The Letter of Undertaking is an official document issued by your child's UK guardianship organisation confirming that suitable guardianship arrangements are in place while they study in the UK.
Parents are asked to include this letter as part of their Child Student visa application. It provides UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) with reassurance that your child has an appointed UK guardian who can provide support throughout their time in the UK, including during emergencies, school holidays and any occasions when parental support is not immediately available.
Although it is an important part of the visa application, the Letter of Undertaking is not a contract between parents and the guardianship organisation. Instead, it is a formal confirmation of the guardianship arrangements that have already been agreed.
why do I need a Letter of Undertaking?
The UK Government places a strong emphasis on safeguarding international students studying away from home.
The Letter of Undertaking helps UKVI confirm that every child travelling to the UK has appropriate care and support arrangements in place. It demonstrates that a professional guardianship organisation has been appointed to look after the student's welfare outside of school, helping to ensure they remain safe throughout their studies.
For parents, it also provides reassurance that their child's support arrangements have been clearly documented as part of the visa process.
who issues the Letter of Undertaking?
The Letter of Undertaking is usually issued by a student's guardian but some schools may have a template letter that they use.
When issued by a guardian, the letter is produced under their official letterhead and signed by an authorised representative/owner of the company. This confirms to UKVI that the information provided is accurate and that suitable guardianship arrangements have been made.
when will I receive the Letter?
Your Letter of Undertaking will be issued once your guardianship application has been completed and your guardianship fees have been paid.
At Bright World, we understand that visa applications are often time-sensitive. Once everything is in place, we'll prepare your Letter promptly so it can be included with your UK Child Student visa application.
what information is in the Letter?
Each Letter of Undertaking contains important information that helps the UKVI understand your child's care arrangements while they are in the UK.
This typically includes:
- Your child's full name, date of birth and passport number
- The name of their UK school
- Bright World Guardianship's contact details and the start date of guardianship
- Confirmation that the accommodation offered to the Student is a private address, and not operated as a commercial enterprise, such as a hotel or a youth hostel
- Holiday accommodation and/or travel arrangements
- Emergency contact information
- A copy of Bright World CEO Lana Foster's passport, as required by UKVI
Providing this information helps demonstrate that appropriate arrangements have been made for your child's welfare throughout their studies.
is the Letter required for every visa application?
Yes.
A new Letter of Undertaking is required for each new Child Student visa application, including visa renewals and applications to extend an existing visa.
Because the letter reflects your child's current guardianship arrangements, UKVI requires the information to be accurate and up to date each time a visa application is submitted.
how long is the letter valid for?
If none of the information contained within the Letter changes, it remains valid for the duration of the visa application it supports.
However, if your child's arrangements change before the visa is granted or while a new application is being prepared, a revised Letter of Undertaking will usually be required.
what if my plans change after the Letter is issued?
We understand that plans can sometimes change after a visa application has been prepared.
If there are any changes to your child's accommodation, travel arrangements, guardianship details or other information included in the Letter of Undertaking, simply let us know. The Letter of Undertaking is issued to support your Child Student visa application.
questions about the Letter of Undertaking?
If you choose Bright World as your nominated educational guardian, we'll provide your Letter of Undertaking once your guardianship application has been completed and your guardianship fees have been settled.
Please note that Bright World is not an immigration specialist and is not qualified to offer guidance on how to apply for a UK visa. Your school may recommend an immigration lawyer to assist you, or your local education agent may be able to provide visa application support.
If you have any questions about our guardianship services or the information included in your Letter of Undertaking, our team will be happy to help.
