Savanna Hoffman
International students in the UK might be eligible to vote in the UK's general elections, depending on their nationality and citizenship. While international students from more than 70 countries and territories across the world can vote in General Elections, they need to be on the Electoral Register and provide a National Insurance number to be eligible. Students can register at both their term-time and home addresses but can only vote once and at one of those addresses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can vote in UK elections? | British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens |
| Members of the House of Lords | |
| Registered 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds | |
| All legally resident foreign nationals | |
| Convicted prisoners who are detained and serving a sentence of 12 months or less | |
| International students' eligibility | Depends on nationality and citizenship |
| British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK | |
| Citizens of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain who are resident in the UK | |
| Citizens of any other EU country who, on or before 31 December 2020, were legally resident in the UK | |
| Citizens of Cyprus and Malta (both EU and Commonwealth countries) | |
| Citizens of Fiji and Zimbabwe | |
| Registration | Register online by providing personal details and National Insurance number |
| Register at both term-time and home addresses | |
| Accepted photo ID required (passport or driving license) |
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What You'll Learn
International students from 70+ countries can vote in UK General Elections
International students from over 70 countries can vote in UK General Elections. The eligibility of international students to vote in UK elections is dependent on their nationality and citizenship. British, Irish, and qualifying Commonwealth citizens who are residents in the UK are eligible to vote. This includes citizens of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and British Overseas Territories. Additionally, citizens of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, and Spain who are residents in the UK with permission to enter or stay can register to vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland.
In Scotland and Wales, all legally resident foreign nationals can register to vote in devolved elections. This includes EU citizens and citizens of other countries.
To vote in a UK General Election, international students must register to vote and provide their personal details and National Insurance number. They can register at both their term-time and home addresses but can only vote once. It is important to note that student ID cards are not accepted as valid voter ID, and voters need to show accepted photo ID, such as a passport or driving license.
The issues discussed in General Elections, such as funding for education and healthcare, directly affect current and future international students in the UK. Therefore, it is essential for eligible international students to participate in the democratic process and make their voices heard by voting.
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Eligibility depends on nationality and citizenship
International students' eligibility to vote in the UK depends on their nationality and citizenship. While some international students are eligible to vote in UK elections, the criteria differ depending on the region of the UK in which they reside.
In England and Northern Ireland, eligibility is limited to citizens of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, and Spain who are residents in the UK and have permission to enter or stay. This is due to the UK's bilateral treaties with these countries. Additionally, citizens of any other EU country who were legally resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 and have remained resident without a break can register to vote in local elections in these regions.
In Scotland and Wales, the eligibility criteria are different. All legally resident foreign nationals, including EU citizens, can register to vote in devolved elections in these regions. This includes local council elections and elections to the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments.
British, Irish, and qualifying Commonwealth citizens who are residents in the UK are also eligible to vote in UK elections. This eligibility stems from the historic links between the UK, Ireland, and countries of the former British Empire.
To vote in a UK election, international students must first register to vote and ensure they have valid identification, as student IDs are not accepted. They can register at both their term-time and home addresses but can only vote once at one of these addresses.
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Registering to vote: online, by midnight on 18 June
International students from more than 70 countries and territories across the world can vote in General Elections in the UK. If you are eligible, it is important to ensure that you are registered to vote.
To register to vote online, you will need your National Insurance number. If you do not have one, you can still register, but you will be asked for your passport details. The process takes around five minutes.
If you are a student who splits their time between two homes, you can register to vote at both addresses. However, you can only vote once, so you may want to register where you plan to vote and apply for a postal vote if you are unsure where you will be on polling day.
If you are a UK citizen living outside the UK, you can register as an overseas voter. If you are registering to vote in Northern Ireland, as a Crown servant or British council employee, or as a member of the armed forces, there is a different process. You can find more information on the government website.
You can check if you are already registered to vote by contacting your electoral registration office. If you need to change your personal details, such as your name, address, or nationality, you will need to register again.
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Accepted photo ID: passport or driving licence
International students from more than 70 countries and territories across the world can vote in UK General Elections. If you are eligible to vote, it is important to register and participate in the democratic process.
Voters need to show accepted photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence. This is a new requirement, with the 2024 General Election being the first to require photo ID. The photo ID must be the original version, not a photocopy or digital version. A digital version of your ID can be used if you are using an eVisa. Your photo ID can be expired, but it must look like you. The address on your ID does not need to match your current address.
Accepted forms of photo ID for passports include:
- A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or a British Overseas Territory
- A passport or passport card issued by an EEA state, or a country whose citizens are Commonwealth citizens
Accepted forms of photo ID for driving licences include:
- A UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- A driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man, or any of the Channel Islands
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Commonwealth citizens with valid immigration permission for the UK can vote
International students from more than 70 countries and territories across the world can vote in UK General Elections. Eligibility to vote in local and devolved elections depends on which part of the UK the individual lives.
In England and Northern Ireland, eligibility is limited to citizens of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, and Spain who are resident in the UK and have permission to enter or stay. These countries have bilateral treaties with the UK.
Citizens of any other EU country who, on or before 31 December 2020, were legally resident in the UK and had permission to enter or stay can also register to vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland.
In Scotland and Wales, all legally resident foreign nationals can register to vote in devolved elections. This includes EU citizens and citizens of other countries.
Commonwealth citizens with valid immigration permission for the UK, who are resident in the UK, can vote. This includes citizens of the Channel Islands (British Crown Dependencies), the Isle of Man, and British Overseas Territories. Former residents of Hong Kong who hold a British Dependent Territories, British National Overseas (BNO), or British Overseas passport are also eligible to vote. Citizens of Fiji and Zimbabwe retain their voting rights, despite their countries being suspended from the Commonwealth.
To vote in a UK General Election, individuals must be on the Electoral Register. This is a register held by each local authority of eligible voters and their respective addresses. Students can register at both their term-time and home addresses but can only vote once. They will need to provide accepted photo ID, such as a passport or driving license, to cast their vote.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on their nationality and citizenship. Some international students, including British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK, are eligible to vote.
You can register to vote online by providing your personal details and National Insurance number.
Yes, students can register at both their term-time and home addresses. However, you can only vote once, and you can only vote at a designated polling station or via a postal vote.
Apply for a postal or proxy vote by the respective deadlines.
No, student ID cards issued by universities or colleges are not accepted as valid voter ID. Voters need to show accepted photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence.
