Passports and Visas

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Passports and Visas

All passengers must be in possession of a valid passport. Approved parties of students, who are British nationals and travelling abroad in the charge of a responsible leader, may travel on a collective passport.

If you are 16 or over and haven't yet got a passport, our recommendation is that you should apply for one AT LEAST six weeks before your trip. The UK Passport Service has to confirm your identity before issuing your first passport and will ask you to attend an interview in order to do this.

All passengers who are not British nationals should consult their embassy to find out if they require a visa to travel to Italy.

Visa Waiver Forms are available for students under the age of 16 who are non-UK nationals, travelling on an educational trip within the European Union. The child should be a pupil at a primary/secondary school or sixth form college and travelling on a trip arranged by their school. They must also have their own valid passport which should include evidence of their residency status in the UK (a stamp or document within their passport). Students at FE colleges and universities are NOT eligible to use these forms. The form can be obtained from the British Council. Call 0161 957 7755 or email general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org.

You will be asked the following information:

  • The date of the trip
  • The destination of the trip
  • Any other EU countries to be visited
  • The total number of pupils travelling
  • The total number of non-EU pupils travelling
  • The nationalities of the non-EU pupils
  • Confirmation that the non-EU pupils have their own valid passport or travel documents
  • The name and contact details of theschool
  • The name of the party leader

The Visa Waiver Form can only be sent to you within 8 school weeks of the trip. The completed form should be taken on the trip by the party leader.