Immigration & Visas

ABC programmes are designed to work within UK and Irish immigration rules. This page explains how students travel on each of our programmes.

ABC provides acceptance and confirmation letters, but we cannot give immigration advice. Decisions are made by the UK Home Office or the Irish immigration authorities. Please always check the latest rules on GOV.UK before travelling.

Programmes at a glance

  • UK Cultural Exchange and UK Immersion: visiting exchange student (ETA or Standard Visitor visa)
  • UK & Ireland Year: EU passport holders only
  • UK Select: visitor for a term or semester; Student visa for a full academic year
  • UK Private Boarding: usually a Child Student visa, confirmed for each school
  • Young Learner summer, Easter and winter camps: visitor (ETA or Standard Visitor visa)

  • Students travel as visitors under the UK Immigration Rules (Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities, PA 2(b)), which allow visitors to take part in educational exchanges with UK state-funded or independent schools.

    • Students must be enrolled in full-time secondary education at home and return to it afterwards. School leavers are not eligible.

    • Students join lessons and school life alongside British pupils, but do not work towards UK qualifications or sit UK exams. They receive a host school report and/or an ABC participation certificate.

    • Cultural Exchange: one term or semester, as one continuous visit ending before the 6-month visitor limit (we recommend up to 5 months).

    • Immersion: 1 to 7 weeks, as a single visit. Visits cannot be extended or combined with another visit.

    • Schools receive a hosting and administration fee from ABC, included in the programme fee.

  • Term or semester: a short course of study at a licensed partner college as a visitor (ETA or Standard Visitor visa). One visit, ending before the 6-month visitor limit (we recommend up to 5 months). School leavers aged 16+ are welcome.

    Academic year (including A Level and IB): Student visa with a CAS from the college. Students need English at B1 (approved test), evidence of funds and the Immigration Health Surcharge. All our partner colleges hold a Home Office Student sponsor licence.

  • For EU passport holders only: a UK term plus an Irish semester, or an Irish term plus a UK semester. The UK part follows the visiting exchange rules above, as one continuous UK visit.

  • A full academic year at an independent boarding school usually requires a Child Student visa, with the CAS issued by the school. We confirm the route for each school.

  • Students join as visitors (ETA or Standard Visitor visa, depending on nationality). Our Young Learner programmes are accredited by the British Council.

  • Parental consent and ABC-approved care arrangements are required.

    Private fostering: ABC notifies the local authority for students under 16 (under 18 if disabled) staying 28 days or more with a host family who are not close relatives.

    At the border, students should carry: passport and ETA or visa, ABC confirmation letter, home school enrolment letter (Exchange and Immersion), parental consent, accommodation details, return ticket and proof of medical insurance.

Important

Students must state the true purpose of their visit when applying and at the UK border. ABC provides programme documents but cannot give immigration advice.

Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor · Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) · Student visa · Child Student visa

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