Lori Meadows
International students who are minors are often required to have a legal guardian when studying abroad. This is to ensure that they have a local point of contact who can provide moral and practical support and be responsible for their welfare outside of school term times. In the UK, for example, international students are required to have a UK-based guardian, while in the US, international students need to name an educational guardian before beginning their studies. Guardianship companies can help parents find suitable guardians for their children, and these guardians are often carefully vetted host families who provide a safe and caring environment for the student.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | UK, USA |
| Guardian's age | Above 25 |
| Guardian's residency | UK, USA |
| Accreditation | AEGIS, BSA, British Council for the Teaching of English in the UK |
| Guardian's role | To respond to the needs of the child and the College, to act as a safety net, to provide a warm, welcoming and stimulating environment for the child, to ensure the child's physical and emotional well-being, to be a 24-hour point of contact in an emergency, to accommodate pupils during school holidays, to liaise with the school over pastoral matters and keep regular contact with parents, to manage the student's personal allowance and arrange payment of any additional school expenses, to provide moral and practical support |
| Guardian's family role | To ensure families wishing to become hosts are properly vetted and prepared, to encourage the child to become a member of the family and to take part in activities together |
| Guardian's company role | To create a strong working relationship between parents, the child, the school, and the host family, to communicate across time zones and in a foreign language |
| Guardian's educational role | To ensure the child's level of education and understanding continues to develop by providing additional tutoring during holiday periods |
| Guardian's financial role | To produce financial estimates and statements, to pay school bills and other associated costs, to make travel arrangements, to assist with purchasing school uniforms, to handle day-to-day issues occurring within normal school life |
| Guardian's medical role | To decide on any matter of emergency medical or dental treatment |
| Guardian's disciplinary role | To decide on any matter of a disciplinary nature |
| Legal requirements | Required for Child Student visa application process, required by majority of UK boarding schools, required for underage international students in the USA |
| Documents required | Valid photo ID, proof of address, proof of right to live in the UK for non-British citizens |
| Fees | £995 per term, £500 expenses deposit |
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What You'll Learn
Legal requirements for guardianship
In the UK, it is a legal requirement for international students to have a guardian. This guardian must be a UK resident over the age of 25 and accredited by AEGIS (the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students). The guardian must be aware of the role that the College expects them to take and respond to the needs of both the child and the College.
Guardianship companies can provide students with a secure and caring environment during their stay in the UK. They should be a 24-hour point of contact in an emergency, accommodate pupils during school holidays, and liaise with the school and parents. Some guardianship companies offer host families that provide students with a 'home away from home'. These host families are carefully inspected and vetted to ensure they provide a warm, welcoming, and stimulating environment for the student.
In the US, guardianship is required for future minor students of post-secondary schools, language schools, internship and exchange programs, and for those who prefer to live in a homestay. Most homestays and their families require guardianship for future minor international students. Additionally, some colleges and universities require a Guardianship Consent Form before allowing students to start their education.
In the case of the UK, if parents do not know a suitable person to nominate as a guardian, the College can supply details of professional guardianship organisations accredited by AEGIS. If parents choose not to appoint an AEGIS-accredited guardian, the College will require copies of the guardian's valid photo ID, proof of address, and proof of the right to live in the UK if they are not British citizens.
In the US, prospective international students under the age of 18 are required to name an educational guardian before beginning their studies. An interview for the visa application is typically required for individuals from 14 to 18 years of age, and a non-refundable visa application fee of $160 USD must be paid.
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Guardian's responsibilities
In the UK, it is a legal requirement for international students to have a guardian. This guardian must be over the age of 25 and a UK resident. They are responsible for the student's safety and well-being and must respond to the needs of both the child and the school or college.
Guardians must be prepared to take responsibility for the student when they are not in school, for example, during holidays, exeats, half-terms, or if the student is ill. They must also be available during term time if called upon.
Guardians are expected to maintain accurate and up-to-date contact information with the school and be willing to act as an intermediary, receiving student reports and other communications from the school if requested by the parents. They should also be aware of the role and responsibilities expected of them by the school.
In addition to these administrative tasks, guardians are responsible for ensuring the student's physical and emotional well-being. This includes ensuring a warm, welcoming, and stimulating environment for the student and encouraging them to participate in family activities. Guardians may also need to arrange for additional tutoring during holiday periods to support the student's education.
In the case of an emergency, if a student does not have a suitable guardian, schools or colleges may appoint an AEGIS guardian at the parents' expense or send the student home.
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Choosing a guardian
When choosing a guardian for an international student, it is important to consider the legal requirements and the specific needs of the student. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
Location and Proximity to the School:
It is beneficial to choose a guardian who resides in the same country or close to the school that the student will be attending. This ensures that the guardian can easily fulfil their responsibilities and be a point of contact for the student, school, and the student's family.
Accreditation and Reputation:
In the UK, guardianship organisations are often accredited by AEGIS (The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students). This accreditation ensures that the organisation or individual guardian meets rigorous standards for providing a safe and supportive environment for international students.
Availability and Commitment:
The guardian should be available during school holidays, exeat weekends, half-terms, and in case of illness or emergencies. They should be committed to the student's wellbeing and be able to provide a warm and welcoming environment.
Communication and Collaboration:
Effective communication between the guardian, student, school, and the student's family is crucial. The guardian should be responsive to the needs of the student and maintain regular contact with the school and family.
Additional Services:
Some guardians or guardianship organisations offer a range of additional services, such as financial management, travel arrangements, and academic support. These services can enhance the overall experience and well-being of the student.
Cultural Sensitivity and Language Support:
Consider a guardian who can provide language support if needed and demonstrate cultural sensitivity, especially when communicating with the student's family, who may be in a different time zone or speaking a different language.
When choosing a guardian, it is essential to prioritise the best interests of the student and ensure that the guardian has the necessary resources, commitment, and capabilities to provide a supportive and enriching environment.
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Guardianship companies
There are many guardianship companies that provide international students with a secure and caring environment during their stay in the UK. These companies offer a range of services, from helping students gain admission to elite schools and universities to providing a 24-hour point of contact in an emergency.
One such company is UK Guardians, which is accredited by AEGIS to the highest level of Gold Standard. UK Guardians provides a comprehensive service for a guardianship fee of £995 per term. They offer host families that are carefully inspected and can be as close as 15-30 minutes from the student's school. UK Guardians also organises camps and gatherings for students to build important life skills and connect with other international students.
Another option is Academic Guardians UK, a limited company registered in England. They appoint host families to accommodate and provide meals for students from the time they arrive in the UK until they turn 18 or their guardianship term ends. Academic Guardians UK also offers a university guardianship package, where students reside in university-provided accommodation.
Bright World Guardianships is another leading provider of care services, established in 2000 and fully accredited by AEGIS since 2006. They offer an excellent host family network and have recently introduced a 'Relax & Revise' course in Cambridge as an alternative to traditional host family stays during half-term breaks.
British Guardianship is a company with over 20 years of experience in the international education industry. They provide premium care and trustworthy guardianship services for underage international students at UK boarding schools, colleges, and universities. They have partnered with over 200 top educational institutions and offer a low-cost solution for parents.
These are just a few examples of the many guardianship companies available to international students. Each company offers a range of services and packages tailored to meet the unique needs of students studying in the UK.
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The visa process
Australia
In Australia, students under 18 years of age or who have specific physical or cultural requirements can apply for a student guardian visa. The student guardian must be a parent, legal custodian, or relative of the student and must provide appropriate accommodation, welfare, and general support. The visa application process involves lodging the application at the Australian Embassy and providing the necessary documents, such as Form 157G, and paying the visa application charges.
Canada
In Canada, unaccompanied foreign students under the age of majority (18 in most provinces) must have a legal guardian. The Canadian Federal Government requires a two-page Custodian Declaration to be completed by both parents and the acting guardian, signed and sealed in the presence of a notary. Once the documentation is complete and the student has received an official letter of acceptance to a recognized school, they can apply for a Federal Study Permit.
United Kingdom
The UK requires international students to have a guardian over the age of 25 who is a resident in the UK and AEGIS accredited. While schools are responsible for the child's welfare during the school term, the educational guardian takes responsibility during exeats, half-terms, holidays, and when the child is sick. There are organizations such as UK Guardians that provide host families and act as legal guardians on behalf of the parents. While it is not a legal requirement to have a guardian, it is a requirement for the Child Student visa application process.
United States
In the US, guardianship is a system of moral and practical support for young people studying away from their parents. Underage international students studying in day schools or living in homestays are generally required to have a guardian. The process involves applying for guardianship through the school admission department and appointing a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate. The guardian should reside in the US and be available for emergency contact.
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Frequently asked questions
International students need a legal guardian to ensure they have adequate support and supervision during their studies. This is especially important for students under the age of majority (18 years old) who are studying abroad without their parents.
The requirements to become a legal guardian for international students vary depending on the country. In the UK, for example, a guardian must be over the age of 25 and a resident of the country. In the US, a guardian is required to be over the age of 18 and reside in the country.
A legal guardian for an international student is responsible for providing moral and practical support to the student. This includes being a point of contact in case of emergencies, providing accommodation during school holidays, liaising with the school, and ensuring the student's overall wellbeing.
To become a legal guardian for international students, you can contact organisations such as Academic Guardians UK, UK Guardians, or guardianship companies like Pippa's Guardians. These organisations will work with you to match you with an international student in need of a guardian.
Yes, there may be costs associated with becoming a legal guardian. Some organisations, such as UK Guardians, charge a guardianship fee, which can be around £995 per term. Additionally, there may be other expenses such as books, uniforms, school visits, and transport.
