If your child will study at a boarding school in England, the first question is which permission they need to enter the UK: an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) or a visa. It depends on how long the stay is and on what documents they already hold. Here are the basics, with official links. At Another Education we do not just inform you: we manage the process with you.
How we do it
We receive your family’s documents, review and prepare them, walk you through every step (including the child’s photo) and submit the ETA application for you whenever the rules allow someone to apply on behalf of another person. For visas, we prepare the application with you until it is ready. We cannot promise approval: the decision always rests with the UK authorities.
Full course at a boarding school
For studying longer than 6 months at a school, gov.uk says children aged 4 to 17 need a Child Student visa, unless they already have permission to study in the UK. It requires an unconditional offer from a licensed school, suitable accommodation, enough funds and parental consent. For timing and fees, see the official page. Source: gov.uk/child-study-visa and gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-to-study.
Short stays
An ETA allows up to 6 months in the UK for tourism, family visits, business trips or short-term study. To study, the course must be at an accredited UK institution, accepted by the student, no longer than 6 months, and not at a state-funded school or academy. It does not cover longer stays and does not guarantee entry. Spanish nationals, among others, can apply. Every traveller needs one, including children. Sources: gov.uk/eta, gov.uk/eta/what-you-can-cannot-do and gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-to-study.
Who does not need an ETA
Among others, people who already hold a UK visa or permission to live, work or study in the UK. Source: gov.uk/eta/when-not-need-eta.
Check your case
Official tool: gov.uk/check-uk-visa. Beware of websites that imitate the government service and charge more: always use the official site.