School admissions for foreign national children and children living outside England

Before applying for a school place

Before you apply for a school place in England, you must make sure your child has an immigration status that allows them to enter the UK to attend a state-funded school.  

Find out more about school applications for foreign national children and children resident outside England (GOV.UK) 

When you do not need to apply for immigration status 

There are some circumstances when your child does not need an immigration status to apply for a school place.

This is when they’re aged under 18 and your family lives in the UK under any of these government schemes: 

• British National (Overseas) visa (GOV.UK)
• Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme (GOV.UK)
• Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (GOV.UK)
• Afghanistan Locally Employed Staff Ex-Gratia Scheme (GOV.UK)
• Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (GOV.UK)

More information

Homes for Ukraine: Guidance for guests (GOV.UK)