Good news for international mobility. The United Kingdom will rejoin Erasmus+ on January 1 , 2027 . In preparation for this, new immigration rules took effect on October 8, 2026. Under the revised rules, participants who meet the Erasmus+ eligibility requirements may travel to the UK as visitors for certain activities, including:
Courses and Vocational Training Programs
Certain internships lasting up to 30 days (for participants 18 years of age or younger)
Job shadowing and on-the-job observations
Educational exchanges and workshops
Does this mean that a work or student visa is no longer required? Not necessarily. The visitor program applies exclusively to specifically authorized activities. For longer internships, actual work, or certain study programs, a Student Visa or Government Authorized Exchange Visa may still be required. Even when a visa is not required, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) may be mandatory. It is therefore important for employers, HR teams, and educational institutions to assess in advance which activities will be carried out and which immigration rules apply to them.
