Visas for non-EU/non-UK students on your French trip

Do students with a non-EU/non-UK passport need a visa for their French trip? 

We are often asked about the visa situation for students who don't hold a UK or EU passport on a school trip to France. Though we are not qualified to give advice on French visa requirements, we want to support our party leaders by sharing available guidance from the DfE and French Consulate.

Visa-free travel for school groups travelling from Dover to Calais by Ferry

Voyager's school groups can now benefit from visa-free school trips when travelling via the Port of Dover.

The DfE website states that "Children who are visa nationals in the UK can travel visa-free when travelling to France as part of any school trip. Visa nationals are non-UK nationals living in the UK who would ordinarily need a visa to enter the EU."

By submitting your group's information 72 hours in advance of your trip, the French authorities can pre-approve your passenger list before you even get to the port - significantly reducing waiting times and worry at the port. 

This service is only available to Voyager groups travelling to France via Calais with P&O Ferries. Read our blog on the new Fast-Track border process for school trips to see if your group is eligible.

Guidance from the French Consulate (for groups not travelling via Dover)

According to the France Visa website, non-EU schoolchildren living in the UK can travel visa-free to France as long as:

• They are a pupil at a general education school (up to sixth form) in the UK;
• They are on an organised school trip with their own school;
• They have their own valid passport, recognised by France; 
• They are resident in the UK (valid residence permit)

To ease border crossing, schools must provide the accompanying teachers with an official list on headed paper with details of the pupils concerned. This must include the full name, date and place of birth, nationality of the non-EU school children and must be signed and dated by the head of the school.