What do upcoming changes to the UK’s Visitor Rules mean for schools, colleges and travel companies?

With school and college trips to the UK dwindling since Brexit, changes to the UK’s visitor rules in force from 28 December 2024 may be welcome.

The new rules see a return to pre-Brexit practice and mean French children coming as part of a school trip will be able to enter on the basis on national ID cards, reflecting practice prior to Brexit, and without needing a passport.  

They also mean that non-EU citizens studying in France won’t need to obtain a visa to travel with their classmates. 

Who does this apply to?

The rules apply to EEA or Swiss national children aged 18 and under, studying in a school in France and visiting the UK on an organised educational trip.

Why is this being brought it?

The change seeks to address the significant drop in school visits to the UK and, while the rules currently only apply to France, they may be rolled out to schools from other European countries.

How will this work for non-EU citizens studying in France?

Any visa national child ie an Indian national living in France will still be required to travel on a passport but would not need to obtain a visitor visa.  The school or educational institution must be registered with the French Ministry of Education, and the school group must include five or more pupils, to qualify.

Will the rule change be more cost-effective for visitors?

Non-visa nationals will be allowed to travel on their national ID cards and so can avoid the cost and administrative burden of obtaining a passport. 

Schools and colleges should note that this isn’t immigration, rather a measure designed to enable children and young people to benefit from school trips.

How will pupils and students benefit?

Educators recognise that value of international travel to students personal, social and educational development.    The UK has previously been considered top destination for European school and youth group travel, given the importance of English as a global language and our rich cultural offer.  Before Brexit, EU children on school trips were able to travel to the UK under rules of free movement that did not require visas or prior authorisation, and could prove their nationality using ID cards.  Where children were from non-EU countries, but resident in the EU, they could enter either on a group visa as part of the European Unions “list of travellers” scheme. However, after Brexit, the UK required all EU children to travel with a passport and all non-EU children to apply for a visa — this led to some children being left behind on trips, schools opting to cancel trips entirely or parents opting out due to the additional bureaucracy. 

How much is this industry worth to the UK?

The British Educational Travel Association estimates that the industry is worth at least £1.5bn a year to the UK economy.  Businesses including coach and travel companies, hoteliers and UK homestay accommodation providers should welcome the changes which should rehabilitate the UK’s reputation in France as a place of welcome for students.