Guidance

Travel facilities for non-EEA national school pupils resident in Member State: EUN07

Updated 9 December 2020

This guidance was withdrawn on

Information out of date and not in use.

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/travel-facilities-for-non-eea-pupils-living-in-member-state-eun07/travel-facilities-for-non-eea-national-school-pupils-resident-in-member-state-eun07

1. EUN7.1 Do non-EEA national school pupils resident in a EU Member State need a visa to travel to another Member State as part of a school excursion?

On 30 November 1994 the Council of the EU adopted a measure concerning travel facilities for school pupils from third countries legally resident in a Member State. This allows school children from third countries who are resident in a Member State to visit or transit another Member State of the EU if travelling as a member of a school group without the need to obtain a visa. Non-EEA national school children resident in the EEA or Switzerland will continue to be able to travel to the UK under the List of Travellers scheme until 1 October 2021.

To qualify under this measure:

  • the pupils must be legally resident in an EU Member State
  • the pupils must be travelling in an organised school group, seeking entry into another Member State for a short stay or transit
  • the school must be a general education school. The concession does not apply to specialist institutions;
  • the group must be accompanied by a teacher from the school
  • the pupils details and the purpose of the journey must be listed on the common format form (List of Travellers form), issued by the school

2. EUN7.2 Can non-EEA national school pupils use the List of Travellers form as a travel document?

The UK does not allow the List of Travellers form to be used as a travel document by third country school children resident in the UK, travelling to an EU Member State. Pupils travelling from the UK must be in possession of their own valid passport or travel document, containing an endorsement that they have permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom.

Other EU Member States may recognise the List of Travellers form as a valid travel document when used by third country school children travelling as a school group to another Member State. It is advised that third country pupils travelling to the UK from another EU Member State should check the requirements with the authorities of the Member State concerned where they are resident.

UK Visas and Immigration recognises the List of Travellers form as a travel document when used by third country pupils travelling to the UK as part of a school excursion from other EU Member States, if the following requirements are met:

  • Pupils must have photographic ID or a recent photograph attached to the List of Travellers form;
  • The List of Travellers form must be authenticated by the responsible authority in the appropriate Member State to confirm the pupils’ residence status and their right to re-entry. Further information on how to apply for a List of Travellers form can be found on the British council website.

To take account of differing educational schemes in Europe there are no specific age limits included in this provision.

Full details of the Council Decision can be found on the European Union website.

A school child travelling in such a group may insist on applying for a visa. In such cases an application may be accepted and the visa fee charged.

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