New faster border process for school groups in Dover

This means that from 3rd April 2025, school groups travelling with P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries will be able to complete passenger information 72 hours prior to their scheduled departure and benefit from faster processing at French border control points in Dover.

This new process is a pilot and has been designed to streamline border procedures for school groups travelling through the Port of Dover to Calais, reducing delays for children embarking on educational visits.

This collaborative scheme, developed in partnership between the Port of Dover, UK and French authorities, and participating ferry operators, marks a significant improvement in facilitating educational trips abroad.

Gill Harvey, external affairs and membership director of the School Travel Forum, the organisation which sets the professional standards for tour operators and providers taking pupils overseas, said: “This initiative demonstrates a real commitment to supporting educational travel and reducing administrative burdens for school groups.

“We have been working with the Department for Education and our colleagues at the Port of Dover to devise a solution for school groups ahead of the introduction of the new EES and ETIAS systems. We’re delighted that both P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries have joined this important scheme.”

Doug Bannister, chief executive at the Port of Dover, said: “This pilot is a significant step forward in making school travel between the UK and France more seamless and accessible.

“By streamlining border processes and enabling visa-free travel for eligible students, we are reducing significant administration time, which in turn ensures a smoother, more efficient experience for school groups and potentially reduces queue times for additional tourist and freight traffic.

“The Port of Dover is proud to play a central role in this progressive initiative, which not only strengthens our cross-channel connectivity but also supports educational and cultural exchange opportunities for young people.”

The benefits and how to qualify

To qualify, schools must submit documentation confirming their educational status, such as evidence of registration on national school databases. The advance submission of passenger details will allow for pre-screening, significantly reducing processing times at the border. Speak with your tour operator for further details.

An additional key benefit of this pilot is that children who are visa nationals in the UK will be eligible for visa-free travel when taking part in a school trip to France. Visa nationals are non-UK nationals residing in the UK on a visa who would usually require a visa to enter the EU.

Schools are encouraged to contact their ferry operator for specific details regarding participation in the pilot and to confirm when their chosen carrier will be ready to implement the scheme.

Gill Harvey added: “We will be monitoring how this pilot scheme works as successful implementation could hopefully pave the way to further improvements.”