Visas for non-EU/non-British students on your French trip
2 Dec 2023, 11:41
by Kate Moore
Do non-EU/non-British students need a visa for school trips to France?
We are often asked about the visa situation for students who don't hold a British or EU passport taking a school trip to France.
Though we are not qualified to give advice on French visa requirements, we can share the guidance from the French Consulate (below) that states that children who are non-EU/non-UK nationals can travel to France on a school trip without the need for a visa.
School trip visa guidance from the French Consulate
In accordance with Article 6(2), school pupils who are nationals of a third country listed in Annex I to the Regulation and who reside in a third country listed in Annex II to the Regulation and are travelling in the context of a school excursion as members of a group of school are exempted from an entry visa into France.To travel visa-free to France, the non-EU pupil must
- Be a pupil at a general education school (up to sixth form) in the UK;
- Be on an organised school trip with their own school;
- Be accompanied by a teacher from the school;
- Have their own valid passport;
- Be resident in the UK
To ease border crossing, it is advisable that the school provides the accompanying teachers with an official list (on headed paper) with details of the pupils who are concerned.
- Students of further education colleges or universities / Accompanying teachers / Youth organisations are not eligible;
- Children must have their own passports and cannot travel on a parent’s passport;
- Note that this, alike a visa, cannot completely guarantee entry into France.
- The decision to allow people to travel or not is made by the Border Police on the day of travel.
Click here to download a copy of the French Consulate's guidance letter
Though we are happy to share the experience of past groups, we are not qualified to give advice on visa requirements. It is the party leader's responsibility to obtain the necessary paperwork needed for the group to visit.
Rules are subject to change, therefore, you should check with the French consulate for the latest measures relating to non-UK/EU travellers in your group. Please do this well in advance of your trip.
What about school trips to other EU countries?
You can find a information about travel documents required for non-EU nationals on the European Commission website, including a list of the countries whose nationals are exempt from visa requirements for stays of 90 days or less.
Stay informed about changes for ALL school groups travelling from UK to EU
Prepare for new EU border changes that will impact all your travellers:
- A new EU border system comes into force in October 2024 which means that you will need to allow extra time to pass through the EES passport gates, especially at the Channel crossing ports of Folkestone and Dover.
- It is expected that all travellers from the UK will need to apply online for an ETIAS visa waiver to visit the EU from 2025
Read our essential checklist for EU school groups for all the latest EU travel advice/
More school trip planning advice from Voyager School Travel:
- Travel has changed now we've left the EU. Read our essential checklist for schools visiting the EU.
- Crossing the Channel by ferry? Read our top tips for taking a school trip by ferry
- The difference between ABTA & ATOL and how your school trip is protected
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