Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor
Visit as an academic
If you’re a scientist, researcher or academic you can:
- take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts
- carry out research, either as part of your job or independently
If you’re a senior doctor or dentist you can also:
- take part in research
- teach (as long as it’s not a permanent teaching post)
- undertake clinical practice (as long as it’s not a permanent position)
To research certain subjects at postgraduate level or above, you may need to get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you start your research.
You can also visit if you’re invited for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) - for example, to give a lecture or be an academic assessor. You’ll need to show you’re an expert in your profession.
If you want to visit for up to 6 months
You should:
- check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor
- check if you need a visa to visit the UK
- apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one
If you want to visit for more than 6 months
All academic visits lasting longer than 6 months require a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality.
You can:
- apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK that lasts for up to 12 months and costs £220
- visit for up to 6 months and apply to stay longer when you’re in the UK for a fee of £1,100 (you can stay up to 12 months in total)
You must meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor and the additional eligibility requirements for academics. You must provide any required documents that show your eligibility.
Your partner and children can apply to stay with you for up to 12 months. They can apply for a Standard Visitor visa in advance or visit for 6 months and extend their stay once in the UK.
Eligibility requirements if you want to stay longer than 6 months
You must prove you’re:
- highly qualified in your field of expertise - this will usually mean you have a PhD or higher
- currently working in that field of expertise at an academic institution overseas
- not filling a permanent teaching post
If you’re an academic, but not a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research or a formal exchange.
If you’re a senior doctor or dentist, you must also prove you’re visiting to do research, clinical practice, a formal exchange or to teach.
Documents you may need
You need to show you meet the eligibility requirements, for example by providing a letter from:
- your employer outlining the dates of your sabbatical or exchange
- your employer outlining the research to be undertaken
- the UK host organisation confirming the arrangements for your research, exchange or clinical practice
Depending on where you come from, you may need a certificate that proves you do not have tuberculosis (TB). Check if you’ll need to take a TB test.