UK eases entry rules for Erasmus+ participants

Following the British government’s announcement in April 2026 that the country would rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027, peak body English UK lobbied for a simpler way for European participants to enter the UK for the mobility programme. The national English-language association has been successful in this mission.

The government will allow most EU and EEA Erasmus+ participants coming to the UK for up to six months to enter with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or visitor visa, as opposed to other more complicated or expensive visa types (e.g., the Government Authorised Exchange visa) that would have otherwise been required.

Huan Japes, English UK's membership director, said in a statement:

"This is brilliant news. We have been lobbying for this since the Government announced that the UK would rejoin Erasmus+. We wanted to make it as easy as possible for our members to offer the full range of Erasmus+ programmes and to attract participants without unnecessary paperwork.

There is a lot of interest among members in offering Erasmus+ programmes, and these changes will help create a level playing field with providers in Ireland and across the EU."

Why is the rule change so important?

It will materially affect the ability of English UK’s English-language providers to benefit from Erasmus+. This is because:

• The cost and process of other visa routes can deter students interested in taking shorter courses, and it would have diluted demand for Erasmus+ in the UK.

• Securing an ETA (for visa-exempt students) is much simpler and less expensive: The ETA can be obtained online, costs £20, and is often decided within three days. ETA-eligible students are from Europe as well as countries with Erasmus+ mobility agreements such as Brazil, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the US.



• The removal of immigration friction for Erasmus+ participants will create much more demand for English UK members’ combined packages (ELT courses paired with workplace internships, job shadowing, or teacher training).

Other facets of the rule change are:

• Erasmus+ participants will be able to take courses, receive or give training, undertake traineeships and, for sports organisations, undertake coaching and training assignments.
• Child and student visa routes have been amended so that Erasmus+ participants can study at RQF level 2 and above without working towards an approved qualification. 
• Sponsor requirements have been relaxed where an Erasmus + programme includes a work placement.

For additional background, please see:

• “UK to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027"
• “UK’s ELT sector reports declining enrolments through first quarter of 2026”