EDUCATION, ENGLAND AND WALES Citation, commencement and extent 1 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Recognition of Overseas Qualifications (Charges) (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025. 2 These Regulations come into force on 28th March 2025. 3 These Regulations extend to England and Wales and Northern Ireland. Interpretation 2 1 In these Regulations— “ database ” means a collection of information including the comparison of UK qualifications with overseas qualifications; “ overseas qualification ” means a qualification issued by a body that is based outside the United Kingdom; “ qualification ” means any record, issued by a body whose ordinary activities include the issuing of such records, of having attained a particular standard following a course of study or training; “ qualification reference statement ” means a statement providing information about an individual’s UK qualification; “ qualification reference statement bundle service ” means services including, but not limited to, the provision of a specified number of qualification reference statements; “ refugee ” has the meaning given by the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on 28 July 1951 and its Protocol; “ refugee bundle service ” means services intended for refugee organisations, including, but not limited to, the provision of a specified number of statements of comparability, with each statement processed on an expedited basis; “ refugee organisation ” means an organisation, including any body corporate or unincorporated association and any combination of persons, that, as part of or all of its service, provides help or information to refugees or those seeking refugee status; “ standard bundle service ” means services including, but not limited to, the provision of a specified number of statements of comparability, with each statement processed on an expedited basis; “ statement of comparability ” means a statement comparing an individual’s overseas qualification to a UK qualification or level of UK qualification; “ subscriber ” means a person who receives a subscription package under an agreement between the person and the provider of the subscription package; “ subscription package ” means the provision of a range of services for a period of 12 months including, but not limited to, access to a database; “ UK qualification ” means a qualification issued by a body that is based in the United Kingdom; “ working day ” means any day except a Saturday or Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday under section 1 of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 . 2 For the purposes of these Regulations, a body is based— a where its registered office is, b if it does not have a registered office, where its head office is, or c if it does not have a registered office or a head office, where its principal place of operation is. Charges relating to applications for statements 3 Schedule 1 specifies the charges relating to applications for— a a statement of comparability; b a qualification reference statement. Charges relating to applications for bundle services 4 Schedule 2 specifies the charges relating to applications for— a a standard bundle service; b a refugee bundle service; c a qualification reference statement bundle service. Charges relating to applications for subscription packages 5 Schedule 3 specifies the charges relating to applications for subscription packages. Charges relating to applications for ancillary services 6 Schedule 4 specifies the charges relating to applications for ancillary services. Payment of charges 7 1 Any charge in relation to an application for a statement, service or package payable under these Regulations is payable to— a the Secretary of State, or b an organisation providing a statement, service or package pursuant to arrangements between that organisation and the Secretary of State, and at the time that the application is submitted. 2 In paragraph (1), “ statement, service or package ” means— a a statement of comparability or a qualification reference statement; b a standard bundle service, a refugee bundle service or a qualification reference statement bundle service; c a subscription package; d an ancillary service as set out in Schedule 4 to these Regulations. Refunds 8 1 Any charge, or any part of a charge, in relation to an application for a statement, service or package paid under these Regulations may be refunded by— a the Secretary of State, or b an organisation providing a statement, service or package pursuant to arrangements between that organisation and the Secretary of State. 2 Any charge, or any part of a charge, which was paid for by a person under the Recognition of Overseas Qualifications (Charges) Regulations 2024 before 28th March 2025 may be refunded by— a the Secretary of State, or b an organisation providing a statement, service or package pursuant to arrangements between that organisation and the Secretary of State. 3 In this regulation, “ statement, service or package ” has the same meaning as in regulation 7(2). Revocation 9 The Recognition of Overseas Qualifications (Charges) Regulations 2024 are revoked so far as they extend to England and Wales and Northern Ireland. Smith of Malvern Minister of State (Minister for Skills) Department for Education 4th March 2025 We consent Nicholas Dakin Vicky Foxcroft Two of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury 27th February 2025