UK is preparing to associate with the Erasmus+ programme from 2027 and changes to the Immigration Rules have now been introduced to support people coming to the UK through the programme.
The changes form part of the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules HC 584, published on 3 September 2026. They affect the Visitor, Student, Child Student and Government Authorised Exchange routes and introduce specific provisions for activities undertaken through Erasmus+.
The changes relating to Erasmus+ are due to take effect on 8 October 2026.
The changes form part of the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules HC 584, published on 3 September 2026. They affect the Visitor, Student, Child Student and Government Authorised Exchange routes and introduce specific provisions for activities undertaken through Erasmus+.
The Erasmus+ changes are due to take effect on 8 October 2026.
For a wider breakdown of the other immigration changes introduced under HC 584, read our article: Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 584, 3 September 2026.
Why are the Immigration Rules changing?
At the UK-EU summit in May 2025, UK and the European Union agreed that the UK would seek to rejoin Erasmus+, the EU programme covering education, training, youth and sport activities.
UK Government and European Commission reached an agreement on 17 December 2025. As a result, they agreed that the UK would associate with Erasmus+ from 2027. Subsequently, they amended Protocol I on 15 April 2026 to implement the UK’s association.
The Immigration Rules are now being amended to accommodate the different types of study, training and other activities that can take place through Erasmus+.
New definitions for Erasmus+ activities
The Immigration Rules will include definitions covering activities connected with Erasmus+.
These include:
- job shadowing;
- participative observation;
- skills competitions;
- traineeships; and
- youth workers under the Erasmus+ programme.
The definition of a “course of study” has also been expanded to clarify that it includes courses undertaken by a visitor which are not part of a short educational exchange or visit.
These definitions support the new provisions being introduced across the relevant immigration routes.
Erasmus+ participants under the Visitor route
Changes are being made to Appendix V: Visitor to allow visitors participating in an Erasmus+ project to study at UK state-funded schools and academies.
This will allow these schools and academies to host Erasmus+ participants for short-term study placements of up to six months.
The new eligibility requirements will apply to Erasmus+ participants using the Visitor route. These requirements will ensure that participants are legitimately taking part in the programme.
Where applicable, participants will also need permission from their parent or legal guardian and their home institution to undertake Erasmus+ activities.
These requirements are intended both to prevent abuse of the Visitor route and to safeguard participants who are under 18.
What activities will Erasmus+ visitors be allowed to undertake?
Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities is also being expanded.
All visitors can participate in workshops, debates and Skills Competitions. However, they must meet the relevant eligibility requirements under Appendix V: Visitor.
A separate section covering “Erasmus+ Activities” is being added specifically for Erasmus+ participants.
Eligible Erasmus+ participants using the Visitor route will be permitted to:
- provide or receive training at a UK-based organisation or educational institution;
- take part in courses at a UK-based organisation or educational institution;
- undertake a traineeship for up to 30 days at a UK-based organisation or educational institution;
- undertake practical learning through job shadowing at a UK-based organisation, including a sports organisation, or an educational institution; and
- take part in coaching or training assignments at a UK-based sports organisation.
The appropriate immigration route will therefore depend on the nature of the participant’s Erasmus+ programme and the activities they will undertake in the UK.
Changes to the Student route
A number of amendments are also being made to Appendix Student to accommodate Erasmus+ programmes which would otherwise fall outside the existing Student route requirements.
At present, applicants generally need to study an approved qualification or a pre-sessional English language course.
However, Erasmus+ programmes do not always lead to an approved qualification.
The new provisions will allow Erasmus+ participants to be sponsored under the Student route. Participating sponsors can sponsor them even if their course does not lead to an approved qualification.
Erasmus+ courses at RQF Level 2
The changes also address the academic level of some Erasmus+ programmes.
Under the existing Student rules, the minimum permitted level of study is generally RQF Level 3 or 4, or SCQF Level 6 or 7, depending on the sponsor’s licence status.
Some incoming Erasmus+ programmes may include courses at RQF Level 2.
The new rules will therefore permit sponsorship under the Student route at RQF Level 2 where the applicant is an Erasmus+ participant and the sponsor is participating in the scheme.
This is a specific provision for Erasmus+ participants rather than a general reduction in the minimum level of study under the Student route.
Work placements under Erasmus+
Further changes concern courses that include work placements.
Under the current rules, work placements on courses below degree level are only permitted where the Student sponsor is no longer a Probationary Sponsor. Courses containing work placements must also lead to an approved qualification.
These requirements could prevent some Erasmus+ participants from completing placements forming part of their programme.
Erasmus+ programmes will therefore be exempt from these restrictions.
This will allow Erasmus+ courses containing work placements to operate from the outset where a new sponsor is in its probationary period. Erasmus+ students will also be able to undertake a course containing a work placement even where the course does not lead to an approved qualification.
Work placement length restrictions
The Immigration Rules currently restrict the proportion of a Student’s course that can be spent on a work placement.
Generally, a work placement can account for no more than one-third of the total course length. In specified circumstances involving degree-level or higher courses, it can account for up to half of the course.
Erasmus+ participants will be exempt from these restrictions.
This is intended to accommodate Erasmus+ programmes where a work placement may form a greater proportion of the participant’s overall course of study.
State-funded schools and academies
Changes are also being made to the Student and Child Student routes in relation to state-funded education.
At present, study at a state-funded school or academy is permitted only in limited circumstances under these routes.
The new provisions will extend eligibility where the state-funded school or academy holds a sponsor licence and sponsors a Student or Child Student to undertake an Erasmus+ programme.
This sits alongside the separate changes to the Visitor route allowing state-funded schools and academies to host Erasmus+ participants on short-term study placements of up to six months.
Erasmus+ added to the Government Authorised Exchange schemes
The Statement of Changes also updates Appendix Government Authorised Exchange schemes. Erasmus+ will be added as a Government Authorised Exchange scheme.
This means the immigration framework supporting Erasmus+ will not be confined to the Visitor and Student routes. The Government Authorised Exchange provisions will also form part of the arrangements supporting participation in the programme.
When will the Erasmus+ Immigration Rules changes take effect?
The Erasmus+ Immigration Rules changes are due to take effect on 8 October 2026.
The Government has confirmed that the UK and EU have agreed for the UK to associate with Erasmus+ from 2027. The changes to the Immigration Rules are therefore being introduced in advance. They will accommodate the different types of study, training, placements and other activities available through Erasmus+.
For schools, educational institutions and Student sponsors, the appropriate immigration route will depend on the Erasmus+ programme being offered. Prospective participants will also need to consider the activities they intend to undertake in the UK.
For advice on UK immigration requirements and how the Immigration Rules may apply to your circumstances, call us on 0203 959 3335 or email us at [email protected].
