The following is an attempt to explain / summarise the visa requirements for children wishing to attend English Country Schools. This information is provided in good faith based on the information at the UK Border Agency web site, http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk English Country Schools disclaims all liability for any errors, misunderstandings or omissions in the contents of this page and disclaims all liability to you if you choose to act on our interpretation of the visa requirements. For the latest authoritative advice please see http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk or contact your nearest UK visa application centre. A list of these can be found at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply/

At the time of writing (January 2009) our understanding of the visa requirements is:

You will not need entry clearance (a visa) if you hold a United Kingdom passport or one issued by another country in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland. You can find a list of these countries at:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/beforetravel/entryclear/

You will need entry clearance (a visa) if you are a visa national. A visa national is a national or citizen of certain countries that require a visa to come to the United Kingdom. These are:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, People's Republic of China (except those referred to in sub-paragraphs 2(d) and (e) of this Appendix), Colombia, Comoros, CongoCuba, Democratic, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (North), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, SaoTome, Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, The territories formerly comprising the socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

To come to the United Kingdom as a child visitor you must be able to show that the child:

• is genuinely seeking entry as a child visitor for a limited period not exceeding 6 months and their parent/guardian agrees to them travelling.

• does not intend to seek private medical treatment during the visit (other than in emergency).does not intend to take employment in The United Kingdom.

• is under the age of 18.

• can demonstrate that suitable arrangements have been made for travel to and from The United Kingdonm and that reception and care in the United Kingdom have been arranged for the duration of the stay.

• has a parent or guardian in the child’s home country or country of habitual residence who is responsible for his or her care; and

• if the child has been accepted for a course of study, this is to be provided by an organisation which is included on the "Register of Education and Training Providers", and which is outside the maintained sector.

The usual visa for a child wishing to enter the United Kingdom as a visa national is called the ‘child visitor’ visa. This can be ‘accompanied child visitor’ or ‘unaccompanied child visitor’. Make sure you apply for the correct child visitor visa depending on whether your child will be travelling with or without an accompanying adult.

To assist with your application, if your child requires a visa English Country Schools will, after receiving your deposit payment, send a Letter of Confirmation to you containing the following:

• The full name and date of birth of the child, with passport number if provided.

• The start and finish dates of the course and the full address of the centre where your child will be staying.

• Confirmation that the course fees include airport transfers, full residential accommodation, travel and medical insurance, 15 x 1hr English lessons per week and an organised sports and social programme.

• Confirmation that English Country Schools is listed on the “Register of Education and Training Providers” and is a registered sponsor licensed by the UK Border Agency.

Depending on the country, visa applications can take several weeks to process. If your child requires a visa you are advised to begin the visa application process well in advance.

If you are sure that your child requires a visa to visits the UK, you can apply online at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/applyonline/ or contact your nearest visa application centre: see http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply/

Good luck!

© Christopher Etchells, 2009
Director, English Country Schools