Yorkshire mum says Brexit has made it impossible to study abroad

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A mum says Brexit has made studying abroad “impossible” as she battles to get her daughter a visa in time to attend the University of Barcelona.

Single mum, Fay Bird, 50, says she is in a state of “utter disbelief” as her daughter, Niamh King, 20, is still waiting to be granted a visa despite being due to start studying on September 30. Fay, a fitness instructor, from Dinnington, South Yorkshire, said: “I could track a DHL parcel better than this visa, it’s a nightmare.”

Niamh Francis-King, 21, is in her third year at Newcastle University where she is studying Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan. The year abroad is a pivotal part of her degree, but now Niamh fears she will miss out on it entirely.

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Niamh submitted her application to the Manchester office of BLS International Services on July 15. The company advises that the process takes up to 30 working days – but Niamh has already been waiting more than 40.

It has already meant Fay has had to rebook a later stay in an Airbnb and book new flights and flights with the semester due to start in Barcelona in just over a week. She has spent £800 on accommodation with Airbnb, £120 in flight change costs, £89 on a criminal record document, £80 for the cost of the visa, £79 for a medical form, £80 to post the documents and £100 on applying for a second passport, taking her total costs to £548 - which could all be for nothing.

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“It’s crazy, the year abroad is so important – that’s why she did the degree in the first place,” Fay said. “It's what she’s always dreamt of - having an apartment in Spain, it's very upsetting as a mum - nobody is listening to me.”

Niamh said the Consulate of Spain in Manchester has been unresponsive to her emails. “If she doesn’t get it by the 24th of September, she’ll miss her semester, it’s killing me as a mum.”

People on the beach at Platja Nova Icarie beach in Barcelona
People on a beach in Barcelona -Credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Niamh, who has been passionate about Spanish since secondary school, is heartbroken over the delays. “She’s more Spanish than the Spanish,” Fay said.

“She loves the language and culture.”

The UK's participation in the Erasmus programme officially ended after Brexit with the government deciding not to continue involvement in after officially leaving the European Union. The last cohort of UK students and participants under Erasmus+ was for the academic year 2020-2021 – where no visa was required for British students.

Previously, Erasmus provided grants that helped cover living expenses for UK students studying in the EU, but these no longer exist, meaning the financial burden is weighing heavily on Fay. “I’ve paid thousands for this degree, for accommodation fees, and for all these documents to be legalised - it’s horrendous,” she said.

“Barcelona University had already had their welcome morning for all students, but Niamh was just sat at home watching it online. I’ve got no support, and the government has shafted students with Brexit.

“It’s a massive issue for all families.”

BLS International has been approached for comment.