Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor
Visit on Erasmus+
You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to do an Erasmus+ placement.
You may be able to get an ETA instead of a visa – it depends on your nationality.
You can:
- study at an accredited institution, including a state-funded school or academy
- take part in a short educational exchange or visit
- take part in a DiscoverEU trip
- carry out a preparatory visit
- take part in debates, role-playing activities and awareness campaigns
- go to meetings, seminars, conferences, networking events and workshops
- take part in skills competitions
- provide or receive training at a UK organisation or educational institution, for example as an invited expert
- do a traineeship at a UK organisation for up to 30 days if you’re under 18
- do job shadowing at a UK organisation, including a sports organisation
- do a coaching or training placement at a UK sports organisation
Eligibility
Check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor.
You might need to meet extra requirements if you’re under 18.
If you’re coming to study
You must meet the visitor requirements for studying in the UK.
If you’re coming to provide or receive training
You must be one of the following:
- employed by an overseas organisation or educational institution that’s taking part in Erasmus+
- working with an overseas organisation or educational institution that’s taking part in Erasmus+
- a Youth Worker under the Erasmus+ programme
If you’re coming to do a traineeship
You must be under 18 when your traineeship starts.
Your traineeship must:
- last no more than 30 days
- take place at a UK organisation or educational institution that’s taking part in Erasmus+
- follow UK working time rules for under-18s (a maximum of 40 hours a week)
If you’re coming to do job shadowing or a coaching or training placement
You’re allowed to do:
- job shadowing at a UK organisation or educational institution, including a sports organisation
- a coaching or training placement at a UK sports organisation
However, you cannot fill an existing role in the organisation.
Documents you’ll need
You’ll need evidence that you’re doing an Erasmus+ placement in the UK.
This evidence must include details of your placement, such as:
- the type of placement
- where it will take place
- the start and end dates
You can use:
- a letter from the institution, school or university you usually attend
- an invitation from your Erasmus+ host organisation in the UK
- a copy of your Erasmus+ Learning Agreement or Mobility Agreement
You’ll need additional documents if you’re under 18.
If you do not meet the criteria for a Standard Visitor visa
If your placement is longer than 6 months or involves work or training that you’re not allowed to do on a Standard Visitor visa, you may need a different visa. Depending on what you plan to do, this could be a:
- Short-term study visa for English language courses lasting up to 11 months
- Student visa for courses provided by a licensed student sponsor
- Child Student visa if you’re aged 4 to 17 and studying at an at an independent school, state-funded school or academy
- Government Authorised Exchange visa for work experience, training or a placement