Travel documents

Requirements depend on citizenship, destination, length and type of course. We help you understand what is needed and when to start.

In short

Every traveller, including a child, needs an individual valid travel document.
A national identity card valid for travel abroad is accepted for many journeys within the EU; the UK and USA require a passport.
ETA, ESTA and visa requirements depend on citizenship, purpose and length of stay. A visitor authorisation does not replace a study visa where one is required.
An Italian child under 14 travelling abroad without at least one parent needs a declaration of accompaniment.
EduLeap provides programme information and supporting documents; the traveller or family submits the application.

Last reviewed: 10 September 2026

Your first check, destination by destination

This table is a starting point. The correct rule depends on the traveller’s citizenship and may change.

England	A valid passport is required. Many short visits also require an ETA unless the traveller already holds a visa or exempt immigration status. A longer course or school year may require a specific visa. Check on GOV.UK
Ireland	EU citizens can travel with a valid passport or an electronic national identity card — older cards that do not meet EU standards, including Italy’s paper card, stopped being valid for travel abroad on 3 August 2026 — and generally do not need a visa or special permission. Ireland operates its own border policy. Check Irish Immigration
Malta, Spain, France and Germany	EU citizens can travel with a valid passport or an electronic national identity card — older cards that do not meet EU standards, including Italy’s paper card, stopped being valid for travel abroad on 3 August 2026. Every child needs an individual document. Check Your Europe
United States	A passport is required. ESTA is only suitable for journeys that qualify under the Visa Waiver Program; some study programmes, including high school and language study, require a visa. Official ESTA website Student visas

Before booking a flight

Also check the requirements of any transit country and the airline’s rules, particularly for a minor travelling alone.

Check the document, not only the date

Before booking, check that:

the document is accepted by the destination;
it remains valid for the period required by the authorities;
the name matches the ticket and booking;
it is undamaged and readable;
every child has an individual document;
any residence permit or visa will still be valid for the return journey.

A driving licence, health card or photo of a passport is not a travel document. Keeping a separate copy is still useful if the original is lost.

If you renew or replace a passport after applying for an ETA or ESTA, check whether a new application is required. These authorisations are linked to the document used.

ETA or visa: they are not the same thing

An ETA is an electronic travel authorisation linked to a passport. Every person who needs one must have their own, including babies and children. It does not guarantee entry and does not replace a visa where the programme requires one.

The correct permission depends on citizenship, length and planned activity. A short study holiday and a school year do not necessarily follow the same route.

EduLeap confirms the programme type

We provide the school information and available supporting documents.

The traveller or family applies

Use only the official website or app and enter the passport details carefully.

Upload confirmation to the portal

This lets us check that the step has been completed before travel.

Official ETA information Check whether you need a visa

We do not publish a fixed fee here because it can change. Always check the amount on GOV.UK when applying.

The declaration of accompaniment

An Italian citizen under 14 travelling abroad without at least one parent or guardian will normally need a declaration of accompaniment. It names the person or organisation responsible for the child and is validated by the competent authority.

The application is made by the parents or people with parental responsibility. Depending on the journey, it may name an accompanying adult or the transport company.

An airline’s Unaccompanied Minor service is separate from the declaration and follows the airline’s own rules. Before buying the ticket, check that the airline accepts the child and which service is required.

Travellers aged 14 or over, and minors of another citizenship, may still need additional consent or documents required by the destination, school, airline or family circumstances.

Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidance

If the traveller is not an Italian or EU citizen

Living in an EU country or holding an EU residence permit does not automatically allow a traveller to enter every destination without a visa. The rules depend on the passport, residence status, destination, any transit country and programme type.

Before confirming:

tell us every citizenship held by the traveller;
check the destination’s official immigration website;
check the rules of any transit country;
contact the relevant consulate if the position is unclear;
avoid a non-changeable flight until the process has been established.

EduLeap helps identify the programme documents and correct official sources, but does not decide the outcome of a visa or entry application.

When to start and what to upload

Start checking documents as soon as you book. Passports and visas can take longer than expected, and processing times are outside EduLeap’s control.

As soon as you book	Check the document, citizenship, destination and whether a visa or authorisation is needed. Begin any renewal.
As soon as available	Upload identity documents, consents and health information. If you book the flight independently, upload the ticket too.
At least seven days before travel	Complete the required forms unless the portal gives an earlier deadline. Earlier is better.
Around one week before travel	You will normally receive the pre-departure pack with addresses, times, contacts and final instructions.

If a document changes after submission, upload the new version and tell us. A new passport may require a new ETA, ESTA or related application.

The traveller remains responsible

We provide reminders and check the documents received, but the traveller or family is responsible for obtaining the correct documents on time and following government and carrier rules.

Helpful information

Everything you need to book, prepare and travel with confidence.