School Exchange Visit
Take part in a short school exchange or educational visit as a genuine visitor; no work or long study. Teachers/accompanying adults must be employed overseas.
Validity
- Visit stays up to 6 months (Standard Visitor)
- Exchanges should be short; avoid long study
Who can join
- Students in full‑time education overseas
- Accompanying adults must be employed overseas
About the visa
Educational exchange visits are permitted under the Standard Visitor rules for short, organised exchanges with UK schools to broaden cultural understanding. These are visits only and do not allow work or long courses of study.
Eligibility & key points
Participants must be in full‑time education overseas, and any accompanying teachers or adults must be employed overseas. Exchanges can be with state‑funded or independent schools and should be mainly cultural/educational in nature, not a course of study. Safeguarding rules may apply for longer stays of younger children.
What you can / cannot do
You can take part in the planned exchange activities and visits. You cannot work, and stays should not amount to study at a state‑funded school or a long course; study as a visitor is tightly limited.
Process
Apply online (if a visa is required), provide biometrics, and carry programme details/itinerary. Border officers may ask about plans and arrangements during the visit.
