Temporary concessions for students on education visits or exchanges
Thursday, 3 September 2009
The UK Border Agency ('UKBA') has agreed to a temporary concession or arrangement for students coming to the UK for student exchanges or visits.
The concession will apply to non EU or Swiss national students wishing to come to the UK for up to 6 months to take part in an exchange or education visit to a state-maintained school.
The concession is expected to last until 31st December 2009 and will apply to those apply for entry clearance at an overseas UK diplomatic post, and those nationals who do not need a visa to travel to the UK seeking leave to enter at a UK port (airport or ferry terminal etc).
In order to qualify for this concession, the following requirements will need to be met:
- individuals are under the age of 18;
- a state-maintained school has approved the exchange scheme or educational visit and has taken the individual onto its roll - individuals should produce, for example, a letter from the school or the organisation arranging the exchange;
- suitable travel, reception and care arrangements are in place for the individual's stay in the UK, and there are sufficient funds for the individual's support;
- those who are sponsoring the individual's visit, whether this is the school the individual attends or another organisation, ensure that the arrangements for the individual's care comply with relevant UK legislation – (if individuals are under 16 [or under 18 if individuals are disabled] and will be cared for on a full-time basis for more than 28 days by adults who are not the individual's parents or a close relative, this includes notifying the local authority of the care arrangements upon their arrival);
- the individual intends to leave the United Kingdom on completion of the exchange or educational visit;
- the individual has a parent or guardian in their home country who is responsible for their and have provided a letter from them consenting to the visit and to the arrangements for their care in the UK; and
- the individual does not intend to study at an educational institution that holds a Tier 4 sponsor licence or accreditation from an accreditation body approved by the UK Border Agency, or at an independent fee-paying school.
If you are interested in UK Visas, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the UK.
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