September Statement of Changes: additional changes to the Immigration Rules

Further to our first news item on the Home Office's Statement of Changes, we have set out below the additional changes to the Immigration Rules due to take place as a result of the UK re-joining the Erasmus+ programme. The Erasmus+ programme is the European Union's main programme for education, training, youth, and sport activities.

Student route changes 

For applications made to the Student immigration route on or after 8 October 2026, the following changes are due to take place: 

• Students will be permitted to undertake a course of study as a participant in the Erasmus+ programme at participating institutions. 
• A course of study studied by Students on the Student immigration route must normally lead to an approved qualification. Students completing a course of study whilst participating in the Erasmus+ programme however will be exempt from  meeting this approved qualification requirement. The study must take place however at a participating institution.  
• Courses studied by Students on the Student immigration route must normally meet a level of study requirement. Students participating in the Erasmus+ programme will meet this level of study requirement provided that the study takes place at a participating institution, and that the course is at the level set out in the Student Immigration rules. 
• A course studied on the Erasmus+ programme, and which includes a work placement, will not need to meet the approved qualification requirement. The course must be studied at a participating institution. In addition, such a course will be exempt from the work placement duration restrictions set out in the Student Immigration rules. The usual restrictions include that a work placement must not be more than one third of the length of the course, or, in certain circumstances, not longer than half the length of the course. 
• Students will be permitted to study a course at a State School or Academy where the Student is taking part in the Erasmus+ programme at a participating institution. 

Child Student route changes 

For applications made to the Child Student immigration route on or after 8 October 2026, the following change is due to take place: 

Child Students will be permitted to study a course at a State School or Academy where the Child Student is taking part in the Erasmus+ programme at a participating institution. 

Visitor route changes 

For applications made to the Visitor route on or after 8 October 2026, the following changes are due to take place: 

Study 

• Individuals taking part in the Erasmus+ programme and using the Visitor route to complete a course of study, will be permitted to do so at a State Funded School or Academy. The definition of a “State Funded School or Academy” can be found in the Immigration Rules. The institution must be an Accredited Institution, and the institution must be participating in the Erasmus+ programme. 
• Individuals studying a course of study under the Erasmus+ programme will be restricted to studying the course for no longer than six months, unless the course is part of a Distance Learning Course studied outside the UK. 
• Individuals must be able to demonstrate that they genuinely intend to study the course of study under the Visitor route in this way. 

Permitted activities

• Individuals aged 18 or below will be permitted to undertake a Traineeship under the Visitor route. The Traineeship must last for no longer than 30 days, and will involve individuals being permitted to gain work experience at a UK-based organisation or educational institution participating in the Erasmus+ programme. Individuals must provide a letter of consent from their parent or legal guardian, and also from their overseas educational institution confirming consent to the Traineeship. 
• Individuals will be permitted to undertake Job Shadowing under the Visitor route. The Job Shadowing must take place at either a UK-based organisation or an educational institution that is participating in the Erasmus+ programme. The Job Shadowing must not fill a permanent role in the organisation, and must involve individuals receiving training by following practitioners in their daily work, and immersing themselves in the day-to-day activities of the work environment, known as “participative observation.” If individuals wish to carry out this activity but are below the age of 18, they must provide a letter of consent from their parent or guardian and their overseas institution.   

In addition to the requirements above, individuals must be able to demonstrate that they genuinely intend to undertake all the permitted activities set out above. 

Other provisions added to the Visitor rules outside of the Erasmus+ programme 

• Visitors will be permitted to take part in “workshops” and “debates” using the Visitor route  
• Individuals employed by overseas companies or organisations will be permitted to come to the UK to receive training from a UK-based company or organisation for training that is necessary for the individual’s employment overseas. It will no longer be relevant as to whether or not such training is available in the individual’s home country or not.  
• Artists, entertainers, or musicians will be permitted to use the Visitor route to attend rehearsals  
• Individuals will be permitted to take part in “Skills competitions”. Skills competitions refer to individuals competing in an event where they will be required to demonstrate their skills and competencies that are required in certain occupations or disciplines. 
• Individuals will be permitted to utilise the Visitor route in order to undertake training or coaching assignments as a sports staff member, a coach, or a volunteer. In order to undertake this activity, the coaching or training must not fill a permanent role. 

Where relevant, we will be updating our comprehensive information about visas and immigration for international students. Visit our international student advice pages, and sign up to our newsletter. 

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