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26 November 2020
by Ferdinand Steinbeis
by Ferdinand Steinbeis
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Brexit & Your Child's Stay at a British Boarding School
Hello from Oxfordshire!
As you probably know, Great Britain is leaving the European Union on the 31st December. This event will have repercussions on the immigration status for existing and future boarding school stays of international families.
For the last few months the team at von Buelow Education has been getting clued up on this topic. With Brexit around the corner, we would like to share the essentials on this topic based on three boarding school stay scenarios.
We hope you will find this useful. As ever, if anything is unclear or if you have questions, never hesitate to get in touch.
Clayesmore's beautiful art studio
SCENARIO #1: Your child is currently at a boarding school in the UK
European nationals who entered the UK prior to 31st December 2020 to study may apply under the EU Settlement Scheme.
So, if your child is currently studying at a boarding school in the UK, said school will help you apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. If this is not happening already, we recommend you get in touch with your boarding school as soon as possible!
What you’ll have to do:
With most boarding schools the application process should already be well on the way. If it isn’t please contact your school’s admissions department or your child’s house parents asap.
What you will need:
- A valid European passport
- The ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check ’App to scan the passport
- Confirmation of place of residence in the UK (i.e. the boarding school)
Application deadline: You have until 30th June 2021 to apply. We advise you to apply asap!
Costs: The application is free
St Clare's art studio, no less beautiful/
SCENARIO #2: Your child wants to come to a British boarding school for one term in 2021
No visa is needed for boarding school stays of six months of less. Pupils automatically have visitor status.
It is very important that when traveling to the UK your child has the below documents with him/her at all times.
What you will need:
- A valid European passport
- Letter from their school confirming acceptance onto a course of study in the UK for no longer than 6 months
- If under the age of 18 years, a letter from their parents consenting to; travel arrangements, confirmation of where the child will study, accommodation arrangements and financial support
- Departure ticket dated within 6 months of first date of entry
- Evidence of private medical insurance
What you’ll have to do:
- Apply for a boarding school place for your child
- Once a place is confirmed, have the school issue you a letter confirming that your child will be in residence for no longer than six months
- Book your child’s return flight with a date indicating a return within the six-month stay period
- Write the above mentioned letter of parental consent for your child’s travel and stay at the school
- Ensure that you have private healthcare cover
Application deadline: not relevant here
Costs: there are no costs here
What other information could be relevant to you:
- Pupils can return home for exeat week-ends and holidays and re-enter the UK without issues. Make sure your child has all the above documentation to hand!
- International pupils do not have free access to the NHS
- Pupils wanting to extend their stay at their school have to apply for a so-call Child Visa (see below). This has to be done from the country of origin of your child
A little messier but no less impressive: Marymount's art studio
SCENARIO #3: Your child wants to stay at a UK boarding school for two terms or longer
For boarding school stays lasting longer than six months, you will have to apply for a Child Student visa.
What you’ll need:
- A valid European passport, ideally with a chip
- If under the age of 18 years, a letter from their parents consenting to; travel arrangements, confirmation of where the child will study, accommodation arrangements and financial support
- A so-called CAS letter (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) from the boarding school, which confirms your child’s stay
- To get the CAS letter issued you’ll need to send the following to your school:
- Child passport & any previous UK visas (if applicable)
- Parent’s/legal guardian’s passport
- Birth certificate & English translation
- School reports/letters of recommendation
- Payment of a deposit
- The ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check ’App
What you’ll have to do:
- Apply for a boarding school place for your child
- Once a place is confirmed, have the school issue your CAS letter (see above)
- Apply online for the Child Student visa via this link on the UK government’s website. Make sure to have the above documents to hand
- To transfer your child’s biometric data, download the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check ’App
Application deadline:
No set deadline given. The visa application can be initiated six months prior to the start date of the UK boarding school stay.
The costs:
- Visa- £348
- IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge): £470/year
What else could be relevant for you:
- It takes up to 15 days for the Child Visa to be issued
- Pupils can return home for exeat week-ends and holidays and re-enter the UK without issues
We sincerely hope that this overview is helpful. We know this is a lot to take in and might lead to more questions. Please never hesitate to get in touch with us! One of our team will be glad to assist you!
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von Bülow Education
Holbrooke House
34 - 38 Hill Rise
Richmond
TW10 6UA
Tel: +44 (0) 203 9534063
Email: info@buloweducation.com
Holbrooke House
34 - 38 Hill Rise
Richmond
TW10 6UA
Tel: +44 (0) 203 9534063
Email: info@buloweducation.com