New Legislation for Overseas Students

We have just been alerted to the fact that a Tier 4 student entering the country needs to carry with them a parental consent letter to reassure Border Force colleagues that parents are aware of the child’s destination and that they are going into safe hands.  See http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/Enteringtheuk/arrivingatukborder/ for details. 

While this states that for a person travelling with someone else’s child, it is advisable to have a letter of consent with them, this is equally applicable to children who may be travelling by themselves.

We have been informed that while a consent form may state the name and telephone contact details of the person collecting the child from the airport, a school may fill in their details stating that the collecting person will carry school identification. 

This measure is a consequence of UKBA’s duty to safeguard children until they reach their intended destination.  Apparently, immigration personnel will be checking that a child at an airport goes into safe hands. 

We hope this alert will be in time for you to inform Tier 4 parents of the need to send the letter of consent with their child returning to school in January. 

Posted: Monday, December 14, 2009