P&O Ferries will be the first ferry operator to bring a UK and French government scheme to life, which is designed to reduce coach processing times for school groups traveling to France this Easter.
School groups can benefit from faster transaction times at the French border if they, or their trip organisers, send passenger information to P&O Ferries at least 72 hours in advance of the date of their school trip. P&O Ferries will then process the data and upload it to government systems, allowing French border authorities to pre-approve the information. This eliminates the need for extensive checks at Dover, ensuring smoother journeys for school coaches as they prepare to sail to France.
Additionally, children who are visa nationals in the UK—non-UK citizens living in the country under a visa—will benefit from visa-free travel for school trips to France, bypassing the usual requirement for an EU visa.
P&O Ferries will be the first operator on the Channel providing this service to school groups during the upcoming Easter holiday.
Jack Steer, Director of Port Operations for P&O Ferries, said:
“We’re delighted to be the first ferry company to simplify travel for school groups heading to France from Dover. Our team has worked tirelessly to implement this system ahead of the busy Easter season.”
