Escape the Everyday
UNITED KINGDOM
The UK is a diverse and historically rich nation comprising of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, known for its cultural heritage and global influence.
Capital
London
Continent
Europe
Currency
Great British Pound (GBP)
Language
English
Time-Zone
GST -4hrs (Winter)
GST -3hrs (Summer)
Flight Time
7-8hrs
Did you know…The UK is home to the world’s oldest underground railway, the London underground, which began operating in 1863 and is often referred to as ‘The Tube.’
THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Let the journey begin.
Europe, the world’s second-smallest continent, is situated entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.
Europe is home to 44 countries, each offering a rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and landscapes, from the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the sun-drenched beaches of the Mediterranean.
The UK has a temperate maritime climate, characterised by mild temperatures and moderate rainfall throughout the year. Winters are generally cool, while summers are mild to warm, with occasional heatwaves. The weather can be quite changeable, often experiencing all four seasons in a single day!
The currency used in the UK is the Great British Pound, which has been in use since the late 8th century but was formally decimalised in 1971. Before decimalisation, the pound was divided into 20 shillings, with each shilling further divided into 12 pence, using a system known as the imperial system.
Parents should ensure that their child’s documents are eligible to travel to the UK and match the criteria below.
If your child has multiple passports and plans to travel with one, whilst their UAE residency visa is linked to another, please make sure they carry both passports during their trip!
Please check all sample documents below, and relevant official checklists to ensure specific criteria are met.
Passport Validity (Minimum):
3 months after expected return to UAE
UAE Residency Validity (Minimum):
90 days after expected return to UAE
School/College NOC Required:
Yes
Parent/Guardian NOC Required:
Yes
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
-----------------------------
Visa Type: Multiple Entry
Visa Fee: GBP 10
Validity: 2 years or until the passport expires
Click here to learn if your child requires an ETA.
If your child has previously been rejected when applying for a visa to the UK, it is recommended to apply for a standard visitor visa as opposed to an ETA.
Note: If travelling on a school trip/tour, your child will be travelling for tourism purposes, so please select this option, not study/work as these directly apply to university students and businessmen and women.
Head over to the GOV.UK website to complete the mandatory ETA application form.
An ETA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or when your child’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
We therefore recommend submitting the application to the British Embassy as soon as the school trip has been confirmed by both the school and trip provider and deposit payments have been made.
Parent/Guardian to provide:
- Child’s passport (This must be the passport they will travel on)
- Photograph of child (<3 months old)/selfie
- Access to emails
- A credit/debit card to complete payment
On average, parents/guardians will receive the ETA via email within 3 calendar days.
No, it is personal preference and the method you choose does not affect the outcome.
Yes, while an ETA functions as a digital visa, we recommend that since your child is a minor travelling without you, they should carry both a copy of the ETA and a parent/guardian NOC (sample below).
Standard Visitor Visa
-----------------------------
Visa Type: Multiple Entry
Visa Fee: GBP 115
Validity: 6 months
Click here to learn if your child requires a standard visitor visa.
Note: If travelling on a school trip/tour, your child will be travelling for tourism purposes, so please select this option, not study/work as these directly apply to university students and businessmen and women.
The British Embassy outsource their consular services to VFS Global.
During the visa application process, including scheduling the mandatory appointment, you will therefore be required to liaise directly with VFS Global.
Please kindly note, that it is the British Embassy that ultimately make the final decision as to whether or not to approve or deny any visa to the UK.
All steps have been outlined below for your reference:
- Head over to the GOV.UK website to complete the mandatory standard visitor visa application form
- Pay the visa fee of GBP 115
- Schedule the mandatory biometric appointment
- Collect and collate all required paperwork
- Optional: Manually upload all supporting documents to the GOV.UK/VFS Global portal.
- Attend the appointment in-person. VFS Global will upload all documents onto the system for a nominal fee.
- On average, the visa process takes 15 working days
- Collect/receive passport with attached visa
- All set – we hope your child has a great trip!
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before departure.
We recommend you apply as early as you can, upon receiving the supporting documents from both the school and trip provider.
Parent/Guardian to provide:
- UK visa application checklist
- UK visa application form
- Appointment confirmation
- Photocopy of child’s passport
- Photocopy of child’s UAE residency visa
- Photocopy of child’s Emirates ID
- Photocopy of all child’s previous visas
- Photocopy of child’s birth certificate (English)
- Parental no objection certificate (NOC)
- Photocopy of parent/guardian(s) passport
- Photocopy of parent/guardian(s) UAE residency visa
- Salary certificate (From the child’s UAE sponsors employer)
- Trade licence (If child’s UAE sponsor is self-employed)
- Bank statements (Last 3 months, original, stamped by the bank, in the name of the child’s UAE sponsor). Foreign accounts will not be considered.
- Pay slips (Last 3 months, in the name of the child’s UAE sponsor)
- Divorce certificate (If applicable)
Parent/Guardian to request from school:
- School no objection certificate – the NOC should include the child’s full name as per their passport, along with the details and ID copy of the accompanying teacher(s).
Parent/Guardian to request from trip provider:
- Invitation letter
- Flight confirmation
- Proof of accommodation
- Full day-to-day itinerary
- Travel insurance
Unless extenuating circumstances, it is mandatory for a parent/guardian to attend the biometric appointment with the travelling student. This requirement is of utmost importance.
Please note, the appointment is for your child to submit their biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) only and upload their documents, if this hasn’t been completed beforehand.
On average, visa applications take 15 working days.
Yes, the British Embassy/Consulate will keep your child’s passport whilst their application is being processed.
No. If your child has a valid UK standard visitor visa, and the visa references a parent or guardian, then the parent or guardian listed, must accompany them upon entry in and exit out of the UK.
If you do not wish to travel with them, you will be required to apply for a new visa, stating that your child will be travelling alone. The new visa will then override their existing accompanied visa.
- British Embassy, UAE Website
- [email protected]
- Al Hisn Street, Al Markaziyah West, Abu Dhabi, UAE